Debate with a Politician

Today, I went back to work in the evening for a political forum where the encumbant alderman was to be. Before it started, she stated she was not going to participate in the forum. She only wanted to speak with people one on one. This, after several staff came out for the event if they lived in the ward and many guests turned up. I guess she thought there wouldn't be very many people attending. CTV even showed up. I could tell, when I arrived, that there was tension in the room. It was shortly thereafter when the encumbant's representative stated she would not do the forum. She didn't even get up to the mike.

One of the executive staff asked if she could speak with the encumbant as she is a resident of Ward 8. The encumbant flat out refused and said she didn't want to speak with this individual. This encumbant wouldn't speak with any staff, for that matter. Some of the guests called her on some of her rude comments she made in the media in the past. Others had legitimate questions. She had no interest in hearing what the people wanted to see in a potential alderman. At one point, she tried to get a debate going about another shelter that frequently has led conflicts in the media with ours. Nobody took the bate, and, in fact, stood up for that shelter. I finally was able to get a question or two in. I started out by introducing my roles - resident of Ward 8, person with a disability, someone who works within the community (of the shelter), and an occupational therapist. She gave me a huge smile when I said I live in Ward 8. Her face fell and with each additional descriptor, her face became harder. I'm thinking she thought I was some poor soul in a wheelchair, possibly homeless seeing the meeting was at a shelter. I outlined the positives of the housing project our shelter is planning to build and how it would benefit people. I then asked for her thoughts on the matter. I also asked about what she has done for people with disabilities and if she has further plans. She only had a brief answer for that. I guess she's done something, but not a lot. The question about the building project .... she really skirted the issue. Guests were even whispering that. I called her on that and said, "You didn't answer my question". She went off on something else. I think that's where the bate for cutting down the other shelter occurred. I cut in and said again, "You didn't answer my question. I asked for your thoughts on the benefits of the building." She talked about how it would concentrate those individuals with issues. I explained the reasons again for the benefits and stated that not everyone living in the building would have serious issues, but that some just can't afford paying $1200, $1400, or $1500 for rent. We debated for a bit, as she felt such a project was inappropriate and that, rather, the individuals should be spread out throughout the city. I asked her where staffing will come from to provide the services and support these individuals would require if there are numerous "small" places (as she indicated) throughout the city. She did not want to answer this question. Instead, she asked why everyone is trying to paint such an ugly picture of her. I wanted to say, "You painted this picture all by yourself". But I didn't. I thanked her and she left.

I felt good when the COO congratulated me on a job well done. Wow, I've never heard him compliment me on my work! I was the only staff who could even get a word in.

What was funny about the whole evening is that she did not want to have an organized forum. Instead, she wanted to speak with individuals individually. What she got was a bunch of people leaving upset (which wasn't so good), and the rest circling around her and whomever she was speaking with at the time. It was a forum, but not organized. So, instead of being able to maintain some control of the questions and discussion, she had no control at all. I just watched CTV's story of this event .... I like the fact that they included the comment by one of the attendees alluding to the idea that her not wanting to do a forum makes people believe she is hiding something. The reason she stated for why she would not do a forum was that she thought she would be able to give more applicable information to people if she spoke with them individually. This is the TV reason. She did not answer anyone's questions from what I heard and many were mumbling that she did not have substance to her answers.

Fact of the matter, however, is that the homeless population alone won't make or break the vote. It's a victory that we got a good showing. It's a victory that there is serious interest in the vote by many of the guests. Other than that, whatever will be will be. If this woman does get in (and I seriously hope she doesn't after I saw how rude she is in person), I think it will spell trouble for the shelters, and ours in particular. This evening was not a positive experience for her ... and there's a chance it could have been had she handled things differently. Ok, not a great chance. But this approach made things much worse. I'm thinking there's really only a few options that explain her behaviour today: she thinks she's got the win no matter how she behaves at a forum such as today's because, afterall, who really cares about homeless people? Or she really doesn't care what people think or she really does not think she'll win so why try to make an effort. I highly doubt the last option is even an option. At least two other candidates came yesterday to speak with our guests and staff who are residents in this Ward. They have made a positive impression. But, as far as our role in mobilizing our guests to become involved in society, all we can do is encourage them to participate and have a voice in their future.