Re Royson James' Vision for Toronto: Sat. Star: October 4 2003
Royson James Vision is an interesting form of plagiarism of ideas taken
from Mitch Gold and others which he has failed to acknowledge in this
or in any of his other writings. Perhaps he will claim ignorance and/or
synchronicity of thoughts.
Beginning with favour of public transit over roads - my position has
been expressed to the Feet on the Street Committee and can be accessed
on my Mayor Campaign site. www.homeplanet.org/mayorgold - but more specifically
Gold's position regarding the expansion of the Toronto Island Airport
is predicated on this principle.
Regarding the Police Budget, I have challenged Chief Fantino to develop
educational programs based upon the Teachings of the Peacemaker. This
process will cut millions from the Police Budget. These teachings are
also contained on the website. To elaborate slightly if the Teachings
of the Peacemaker were incorporated into our schools and into our systems
the Police City Budgets and all budgets could be reduced significantly.
Self regulation and promotion of personal health has been recommended
at virtually every Futures Conference for the past 20 years.
Does Mr. James understand that the Hotel Tax could easily be implemented
by our Hotels through process of the Toronto Dollar Program in all Hotels.
This would NOT require any Provincial Approval or Federal approval and
could be utilized effectively and immediately as a unique Toronto World
Promotion. This program could raise millions of dollars for a variety
of programs in the city, as well as build the Hotel business and promote
Toronto around the World. Perhaps Mr. James does not understand the
efficacy of the Toronto Dollar.
Mr. James suggestions for beautifying the City pales in comparison
to the suggestions I have made in my report to the Arts vote questionnaire
- which can also be accessed on our site . http://www.homeplanet.org/mayorgold/artsvote.html
In short Toronto would become one of the most beautiful cities in the
world supporting the Arts Community and developing a unique form of
artistic expression reflecting the Multicultural mosaic of our peoples..
The notion of willing ambassadors comes from our personal background
- Honorary Sherriffs International - a program intended to promote the
positive aspects of humanity - world wide. I instigated this program
in the 70's and took the idea to over 35 countries. For the past thirty
years I have been known in the local community as "Sherriff of
Yorkville" and have been actively engaged in promoting this notion
of "willing ambassador" around the world. I often used the
Toronto Dollar in my travels promoting Toronto to the Mayors of other
Cities. I even used the Toronto Dollar as a deposit for an event I hosted
at the City Hall in Greenwich England - in June 2000.
The coup d'etat for Mr. James is his utilizing the language of the
1% Solution and calling his program the 5% solution. You might like
to be aware that the 1% Solution (TOPS) program that I have initiated
on the world stage is not so vague as Mr. James' ideas. (Endorsed Globally
by the former Secretary General of UNESCO Federico Mayor Zaragoza and
many other world Peacemakers at the Inaugural event of the Foundation
for a Culture of Peace (December 2000). The next year our 1% Solution
Program was awarded the World Future Studies Federation 2001 Futures
Award for Creating Futures Conscious Organizations. Our program identifies
where the 1% comes from - (the top line of all business) and is built
around an educational program of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
that supports the Millennium Development Goals of the Secretary General
of the United Nations and engages the local community in sustainable
and health conscious activities. For details see: http://www.homeplanet.org/mayorgold/netaid.html
Our local campaign develops the argument for bringing the UN to Toronto
- a first step would be to develop an infrastructure for world Leaders
to impact the UN through the development of a Forum for Indigenous Leaders
to meet and advise the UN. (This Forum has been created and could well
use a 'home" here in Toronto as a first step to moving the UN here.)
Mr. James does suggest that it is up to the citizens who determine
Toronto's success. I agree. I am a citizen of Toronto. I am a visionary.
And my programs have been enunciated and supported clearly on the world
stage. Unfortunately Mr. Royson James does not see the relationship
between my International work, and the fact that I have chosen to run
for Mayor of Toronto.
Democratic Ideals:
It is also up to the Media to be responsible to the electoral process
and present the ideas of the people running for office. Why present
visions of someone who is not willing to put his own name forth in the
process. Rather he chooses to stand back, steal ideas from candidates
and put them forth as a partial vision. This is not media democracy
- nor is it right!.
Mr. Royson James does influence peoples minds with his writings. His
vision is blurred. Where does Mr. James stand on the Island Airport
issue? Where does he stand on building the quick link to the Airport?
And why are these ideas not part of his Vision? And where is the $17
Billion dollar Portlands development? Are these outside of his ken?
And the nerve of Mr. James to use the term local democracy. Mr. James
has little insight into Democracy, and his article shows little personal
vision of Democratic principles.
I do however agree with many of the points that he makes (since they
seem to be mine and others) and encourage him to continue supporting
those ideas - and to attribute those ideas to the people that not only
initiated the ideas - but to identify how these ideas might come to
reality. These two aspects are necessary for a vision to become reality.
Transformation comes after one has a vision. First comes the idea,
noting "from what, to what". Then you have to have intention.
(What do we intend?) And then you need to get attention. And then you
add in the creative process. That is what is needed here - transformational
thinking.
In conclusion, I want to share an unusual aspect of my personal vision.
I see Mr. David Miller as the next Mayor of Toronto. He is the only
one of the existing campaigners that can meet the necessary ethical
standard. The other Campaigners are not up to the task. I only want
one vote in the upcoming election. I want David Millers vote on my ideas
and campaign.
Go for the Gold. Vote Miller!