Cornwall ON – When Mark MacDonald cut the ribbon to open his campaign office tonight, it spoke a lot about the man and his down to earth nature. The “Ribbon” we cut was the red tie he wore to his nomination meeting. It was soiled while he was cleaning up after the event but he wanted to put it to one final good use. That’s Mark. Not afraid to get dirty, to get down to work, to shine. To put it simply, Mark MacDonald is Cornwall..
Both Mark and the Minister spoke very passionately of the pride they have for the accomplishments of the McGuinty government. The creation of 92 000 jobs since the inception of the HST, the 15 000 green energy jobs in the province. The improvements to healthcare, education and to infrastructure. Yes, Cornwall has been hard hit by this recession that reared it’s head in 2008. The good news is that we are likely to have regained pre-recession employment levels by 2012. To put it in National terms, we as Ontarians can account for more jobs added in the last year than the rest of the provinces combined. Yes, there is pride in the Liberal brand in Ontario and with good reason.
This in no way means, however that Mark is resting on those laurels. Not by a long shot. He already has his eye on improving the situation in Cornwall through extensions of roads, safety improvements on the highway 138 and healthcare and hospice improvements. Programs that will help put Cornwall on the map and help the rest of the world see that as a center for quality of life and urban excellence, Cornwall means business!
The contrast between Liberal and Conservative strategies was drawn. A stark contrast indeed. As Minister Chiarelli pointed out, Ontario’s stimulus program is a success without peer but while it has been praised by economists for it’s effectiveness , Tim Hudak actually voted against it. I actually did not know that about Tim Hudak. Did you? I mused, “What is that guy thinking?”. I will not make assumptions about his motives except to say that from my vantage point, rebuilding our economy was not his priority.
With his trademark humility, Mark repeated what he has done at all his constituency meetings. To paraphrase, “…I am just the candidate…nothing more. It’s up to each and every one of us to make sure we discuss this election with any and all. It’s going to take a lot of work but we can and will win this one…” Mark doesn’t put on airs. A former firefighter and a grassroots member of the community, he doesn’t make a lot of time for theatrics or for glad-handing. He spoke warmly with volunteers, with seniors who undoubtedly would not, nor could not be going door to door for health reasons. He spoke to my 7 year old daughter and remembered that she has started school the previous day and asked her how it went. He’s a guy that remembers your face, your name and your situation. He’s a guy that makes time for you.
I asked Mark if he was ready for the campaign ahead. There was a gleam in his eye. He looked at me, straight in the face and said quietly and with conviction, “I am so ready to do this!”
Yes Mark. You are definitely ready. All I can say is, I hope you all get a chance to meet Mark. I get the distinct feeling that as a public servant, he’s the genuine article. If you do have a chance to meet him, you’ll see what I mean.
Classy opening …great to see so many friends enjoying the speeches, food,, music and fun. Folks of all ages from babes to nanas and papas who support Mark A and work and play well together. It was an optimistic atmosphere reflecting the successful advances already made locally and in Ontario and the firmness of purpose to continue the great representation we have had from Jim Brownell. Here’s to a great campaign and a great result on October 6!
Great article, great first post. This is the kind of optimism, sense of purpose and caring we all need in these iffy times.
He must be against recycling, reusing and reducing! Cutting a tie because it was soiled, sending it off to a landfill. I jest off course, but wanted to respond to the comment “Programs that will help put Cornwall on the map and help the rest of the world see that as a center for quality of life and urban excellence, Cornwall means business”
I hope that means to put conditions in place for business leaders to make jobs, the annual deficit and total debt is already too large.
Some 20 odd years ago, I took my family out to a restaurant called I.P.Looney in Ottawa. It was a restaurant that catered to children though the adult food was fantastic. Upon entering the restaurant, a clowny character came up to me and said that ties were not allowed in the restaurant and proceeded to cut it off with a pair of scissors. It wasn’t even dirty Eric.
Actually, we are ahead of schedule on repaying the deficit. I believe that it will be zero by 2016 but I’m not 100% on that.
I remember that place Stan near St Laurent mall,probably about 25 years plus, but they recycled by placing the ties on the wall. LOL
Meanwhile Jamie Labonte, we are paying 10 billion annual interest on the debt!
Congrats, Mark! I wish you all the best and I hope you do well in this election and the next!
yeah, the deficit is terrible. We had a 500 million dollar deficit when Dalton took over from Eves. Eves said he had “balanced the budget”…..hehehe…..what he meant was that he drove the Car into a brick wall, tossed Dalton the keys and said, “Have fun driving that”….walked away whistling a jaunty tune. We’re still paying for the “fiscal responsibility” of the PC party of Ontario.
I remember I.P. Looneys. They used to make kids cry by cutting off their ties….but still stupid parents should have read the sign. It was clearly marked. We will cut off your tie…
I.P. Looneys was the shiznit! Some ninja cut off my dads tie there lol.. And Col. Custard shot custard in my ear on my birthday lol ;D