MARTIN GLADSTONE HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE RACE; IS NOW BACKING MARY-MARGARET McMAHON

WEBSITE: www.votegladstone.ca

EMAIL: martin@votegladstone.ca

PHONE: 416-693-9000

—————————————————————-
What key issues define your campaign platform?
INTEGRITY AND FIGHTING WASTE. I will stand up as a taxpayer and fight to protect your money and you. The Beach’s pub deal should have gone to public tender. There will be no more disgraceful sole source contracts going forward.
REPEALING THE LAND TRANSFER TAX AND DRIVERS’ REGISTRATION. Toronto is the only jurisdiction in Canada to have double taxation on land. It hurts everyone – buyers, sellers, agents, realtors, mortgage brokers.  It is a cash grab for a mismanaged city.  With my experience in business I will fight to clean up city hall finances and get these taxes repealed.
ENVIRONMENT.  I will fight to save the Glen Davis Ravine. This Ravine is poised to be rezoned from RAVINE to high density residential. No one is standing up to defend the integrity of the Ravine Act. It will set a negative precedent that will affect all ravines throughout our city.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I stand as the only candidate with a background in law, business, entrepreneurship, advocacy, fighting city hall, and mediation.  I bring the best skill set to serve our ward and our city. I have fought many battles at city for residents here over the years. Plus I am well rounded with my background in music and film production. I know hard work and dedication, having been self -employed all my life. I know how to stand up and make things happen.

What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
I plan to fight to have the land transfer tax and the driver registration tax repealed. I will fight to reduce councillor expenses from $52,000 to $30,000 and ensure taxpayers’ funds are not used for self promotion. I plan to have a constituency office here in the ward to be accessible and easy to reach – there is not one now and there should be. And no bunny suits and suing taxpayers on their own money, and sole source contracts – the opposite of the incumbent. I plan to challenge development of endless condos against the wishes of our residents.

Please provide details on your personal bio.
Martin was born in Toronto in 1957.  He studied arts and humanities at York University and law at Queen’s University. He practices law in the ward. Martin is a musician who founded the popular Toronto band The Grottybeats in the early ‘80s. He is also a filmmaker whose 2010 documentary Reclaiming Our Pride persuaded Toronto City Council to address the issue of public funding of hate messaging and intolerance in Toronto’s gay pride parade. On May 28, 2010 Martin was singled out for recognition and praise in a feature editorial in the National Post titled “A Case Study in Activism.”

Who do you plan to support for mayor?
My focus is to work with whoever is elected to best serve the ward and the city.