LONDON (November 10, 1997) - Thanks to past Fp candidate and current member and supporter Jim Montag, Londoners were at least able to hear some intelligent debate on issues of local concern during their municipal election. Visibly missing from the debates was incumbent mayor Dianne Haskett, who, in protest against an Ontario Human Rights Commission Board of Inquiry ruling against her, withdrew from actively campaigning during the election period. That ruling concluded that the mayor illegally discriminated when she refused to proclaim a "gay pride" week in the city.

With the mayor missing, that left Deputy Mayor Grant Hopcroft, Montag, and 'Freedom' Schell (no relation to Freedom Party) to debate the city's issues of the day.

During questioning on an all-candidate's mayoralty debate aired on CJBK radio in London on November 6, candidate Schell refused to discuss his personal background: "I'm not really sure who I am. I'm setting up a task force and coming out with a position paper on that shortly." Funny stuff; zero credibility.

Fortunately, Montag's approach was far more palatable, as he stressed issues of financial responsibility and accountability at city hall. For Montag, the choice between Haskett and Hopcroft was no choice at all. His campaign theme, "London's Other Voice," presented an opportunity to inject some much-needed substance into an otherwise meaningless debate.

By refusing to "support proclamations for special interest groups," Montag indicated his support of the mayor's actions regarding the gay rights proclamation, but agreed with candidate Hopcroft on one main point: that London lacked cohesive leadership.

Approaching election day, Montag was twice asked to drop out of the race by political insiders who believed that he may have held a large enough voting block to keep Hopcroft out of office, and Haskett in. Of course, as things turned out, Haskett was re- elected by an overwhelming majority, dramatically illustrating the public's sympathy with her protest.

Nevertheless, Montag's consistent message and election campaign theme will have set the stage for future political activity on his part. As chairperson of the London-Middlesex Taxpayers' Coalition (LMTC), he has already earned a formidable reputation as leader of the community's most effective taxpayers' 'watchdog group'. Stay tuned for future developments.

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Page last updated on April 28, 2002