Week 4 of Campaign

The May 12th election date is getting closer all the time! It is hard to believe that it is less than 6 weeks away. Things continue to go very well on the campaign. The complete 2008 platform has been completed after much community consultation and best-practise research. It should be available for download from the website (http://www.dannyjardine.com/) by the end of the day. I am very proud of the document and feel that it represents a balanced approach to creating a new Saint John. A Saint John that will increase in population, retain its youth, include all citizens regardless of their situation in life, expand its tax base, improve its service delivery and the list goes on...

However, on May 12th, the citizens will have to decide if they are ready for change. The citizens will have the opportunity to choose change and thereby choose to enter a new era in the history of this great City. The opportunity is yours. Please think about it. Also, please remind those you know that may have been apathetic in the past that they have a real opportunity to create change. But, they must get out and vote. Lets increase the voter turnout this time around.

Our team will be ordering our signage and door to door material this week. We also have a shipment of buttons coming in this week. Within the next couple of weeks we will be hitting the streets and working the phones so you will probably hear from us in one form or another. We look forward to the conversation and your support.

We continue to be impressed by the huge amount of support we are receiving and are very confident in our campaign and its success.

If you have any questions or comments, please call or email me. Also, if you want any campaign material or promotional material, please call or email me.

Thank you,

Join Jardine, Change Our Scene!

Danny Jardine, 333-3711, dannyj@nbnet.nb.ca

Week 3 of Campaign

Well, we are now in Week 3 of the campaign. Things are going well and the support continues to expand. We have made some additions to the website (a poster for download, some information on accessible voting, PayPal for donations and some summary information on our Community Dialogue Sessions which will finish Thursday of this week at UNBSJ). Check it out if you have not already: http://www.dannyjardine.com/ We also now have business cards and posters available for anyone who is interested, just email me at dannyj@nbnet.nb.ca, to date, I am very impressed with the campaign and the tremendous amount of support. Thank you all very much! The donations have also begun to increase. We are also now in the process of searching for a campaign headquarters. Whether we go through with this will depend on funding or whether we can find an in-kind donation. If you have any ideas, please let me know. I will be submitting my nomination papers in the coming days. We should be able to release the platform after the Community Dialogue Sessions have been completed and we have incorporated feedback and ideas into the best-practise research that has already been completed.

On the notion of ideas, I would like to comment on something I saw this past week. There was a presentation to Common Council on the North of Union Development by Frank Palermo, a professor who runs the Cities and Environment Unit at Dalhousie University. There was a very important message in his presentation that I believe was overlooked by many on Council and the public. The message is simple, "Everyday citizens have valuable ideas to contribute to the development of our City." This is the whole purpose of my Community Dialogue Sessions and my commitment to an open and transparent City Council. Everyone has ideas and we should not be so naive to think that ours are always best. I believe that the best ideas and the most innovative ideas come from the merging of ideas from all members of the community. An important, but subtle message that I took away from Frank's excellent presentation.

I should also point out that there is a lot of valuable information on the Elections NB Site.

That is it for this week! Keep spreading the name Danny Jardine and thanks again for all the support!

Join Jardine, Change Our Scene

Week 2 of Campaign

Hello Everyone,

Change was the theme of the week.

Well, week 2 of the campaign has come to an end. At this point, I am still the only candidate who has declared their intention to run at-large. Most of this past week was spent organizing and holding 2 of the 4 Community Dialogue Sessions. They were great sessions and the summary feedback from the citizens in the wards is included below. Both of these Community Dialogue Sessions were held in locations far from the City Centre. A common theme around poor service delivery given the taxes paid emerged. This inequality has led me to do some research on Tax Reform and to the conclusion that a review of the current tax structure in the City of Saint John must be conducted. There is potential to use municipal taxation to increase economic development, decrease inequalities in the system, develop service delivery standards and help people on fixed/low income. This must be examined. The Halifax Regional Municipality is currently exploring Tax Reform. I will do more research and incorporate this, as well as other ideas from the Community Dialogue Sessions, into my platform.

The team is excited because the idea of the Community Dialogue Sessions was to engage the community (the tax payers) in the development of the platform and so far this has been very successful. There are two more Community Dialogue Sessions in the final week of March:

March 25
6-9 PM
Ward 3 (South)
Saint John Arts Centre
20 Hazen Avenue

March 27
6-9 PM
Ward 2 (North)
UNBSJ Whitebone Lounge
100 Tucker Park Road

Highlights of the Ward 4 Community Dialogue Session:

Better Bus Service

Better Road Maintenance

Amount and Speed of Traffic

Taxation Too High for Quality of Services

Need for Community Policing Centre

Increased Funding for Community Centres

More Street Lights

Some Highlights of the Ward 1 Community Dialogue Session:

Better Roads and Sidewalks

Taxation Too High for Quality of Services

Winter Plowing Poor

Extension of Water and Sewer

More Town Hall Meetings

Pension Fund Governance

Continue to check the website: http://www.dannyjardine.com/ for updated information about the campaign and for the results of the Community Dialogue Sessions.

If you have any questions/input/comments, please feel free to contact me: dannyj@nbnet.nb.ca

I continue to be humbled by the large amount of support I am receiving and I would like to, again, thank everyone for that support.

Join Jardine, Change Our Scene!

Until next week........

Week 1 of Campaign

Hello Everyone,

As promised, I will be giving updates on this blog each week of the municipal campaign. I would like to begin by thanking everyone for their support. I have received many phone calls and emails from people who wanted to wish me luck and tell me that I had their support. This strong show of support has been very beneficial to the campaign. It helps to motivate the team. Motivation can some times be difficult when you are two months out from the election date. However, with your support we have got a lot accomplished to date.

The website is now live and can be found at http://www.dannyjardine.com/. It still requires some updates but the design is complete.

The Community Dialogue sessions that I will be having to get citizen input on the platform document I have created will begin next week. The first session will be at the Latimore Lake Community Centre on March 13th at 6PM. The team will actually be having a meeting today to finalize the format for these sessions. We will also be finalizing the dates and locations for the other three sessions which will be posted on the website. In my mind, this is one of the most important components of the whole campaign because it allows the citizens of Saint John to become actively engaged in the shaping of one candidate's platform. It also allows my whole team to become familiar with the issues at a neighborhood level. Hopefully, anyone reading this will try and make it out to at least one of the Community Dialogue sessions.

I had the opportunity to attend the International Women's Day event on Saturday morning. This event was hosted by the Canadian Federation of University Women - Saint John Chapter. It was a great event with great speakers and plenty of Strong Women in attendance.

The remainder of the campaign: fundraising, signage, advertising, etc. is also going very well. I am lucky to have a committed team who has taken the lead in many areas and I feel we have a lot accomplished to date.

So that is it for this week! As always, I would appreciate it if you could pass along my name and the website to your friends. I appreciate all the support!

Until next week...........

Website Now Live!

Just wanted to pass on the website info:

www.dannyjardine.com

Join Jardine, Change Our Scene!

I have decided to run for an At-Large Councillor position in the May 12th Municipal Election in Saint John. Therefore, until that date, I will be dedicating this blog to updates on my progress. I hope to provide updates on the campaign as well as dialogue with the citizens of Saint John around their vision of Saint John's future. After reflecting on my experience in the community for the past four years (much of which can be read in this blog), I feel I could better contribute to the community if I had a seat at the municipal decision making table. I am hoping that, you, my regular readers, agree and will support me in this endeavour. There are many ways you can support me: volunteering on the campaign, telling your friends, signing up to the facebook site, visiting the website (still under construction), helping with financing, attending our Community Dialogue sessions to be held in each ward, doing some door to door in your neighborhood, writing support letters to media, etc.

I am currently preparing the platform through research, community consultation and best-practises. It will roughly be organized under the following headings:

Accountability/Transparency

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Development

Environment

Federal-Municipal Relationships

Growth Strategy

Inclusiveness and Human Rights

Infrastructure Deficit

Municipal Revenue/Expenditures

Recreation

Retaining and Attracting Youth

Public Safety

Tourism

Vision 2015

Waterfront Development

In case you want to know more about what I am involved with currently (without having to read this whole blog), here is a condensed version:

DANIEL ALEXANDER JARDINE850 Grandview Avenue, Saint John, N.B., E2J 4C5, 506-693-1145 or 506-333-3711, dannyj@nbnet.nb.ca

EXPERIENCE

ATLANTIC HEALTH SCIENCES CORPORATION, SAINT JOHN, N.B.Regional Manager of Supported Employment, Education and Housing, July 2006-present

ST. JOSEPH’S COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE’S COMPUTER ACCESS CENTRE, SAINT JOHN, N.B.Manager and Community Developer, August 2003-July 2006

THE GREATER SAINT JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, SAINT JOHN, N.B.Environmental Program Coordinator, June 2003-August 2003

EDUCATION

2007-PRESENT

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

M.P.A.., Management

2006-2007

CANADIAN HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION

Modern Management Certificate

2007

PRIORITY MANAGEMENT

Project Management Breakthroughs Program

ONGOING

ATLANTIC HEALTH SCIENCES CORP.

French Language Training

2000-04

UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK

M.Sc., Fish Ecology/Aquaculture

G.P.A. 4.3 on a 4.3 scale

1996-00

MOUNT ALLISON UNIVERSITY

B.Sc., Major Biology and Minor Chemistry

G.P.A. 4.15 on a 4.3 scale

VOLUNTEER, CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY WORK

HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION Volunteer, February 2002, and June 2002

MS SOCIETY SUPERCITIES WALK Volunteer, May 2001, 2002 and 2004

SHINERAMA FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS Promotions Coordinator, June 2002-Sept. 2002

CENTENARY-QUEEN SQUARE UNITED CHURCH Volunteer, January 2003-September 2006

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PROGRAM Volunteer, February 2004 - April 2004

ALPINE YOUTH LEADERS SUMMIT Invited Participant, June 2004

HARBOUR PASSAGE CLEAN-UP Volunteer, September 2004

ATLANTIC YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE Participant, September 2004

SAINT JOHN VOLUNTEER CENTRE INC. Workshop Leader, October 2004

U.N.B.S.J. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION SYMPOSIUM Chair, October 2004

ROUNDTABLE ON CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT Invited Participant, October 2004

PUBLIC FORUM OF THE CANADIAN BAR ASSOCIATION Invited Participant, February 2005

PLAY BALL FOR ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL Team Co-Chair, June 2005

VICTIM SERVICES VOLUNTEER Volunteer, July 2005-present

SKATE TO CARE Team Co-Chair, January 2006-February 2006

U.N.B.S.J. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION SYMPOSIUM Panelist, February 2006

COMMUNITYLENS.COM FEATURED BLOG Writer, February 2006-present

SOUTHWESTERN N.B. COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT Contributor, April 2007

MCHAPPY DAY 2007 Invited Participant, May 2007

CLUBS, COMMITTEES, BOARDS, SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

U.N.B.S.J. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION President, October 2000-October 2001

U.N.B.S.J. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION Vice-President October 2001-October 2002

CO-FOUNDER OF CLOSET CHAT Facilitator, January2003-January 2005

AFFIRM UNITED Secretary, August 2003-September 2004

PORT CITY RAINBOW PRIDE INC. President, September2003- September 2004

SAINT JOHN SEX TRADE ACTION COMMITTEE Member, September2003-present

FUSION SAINT JOHN INC. STEERING COMMITTEE Member, May 2004-June 2006

CITY OF SAINT JOHN HERITAGE BY-LAW REVIEW Committee Member, July 2004-February 2005

MOUNT ALLISON ALUMNI PLANNING COMMITTEE Member, July 2004-present

CENTENARY-QUEEN SQUARE UNITED CHURCH Chair of Congregation, Feb. 2005-Sept. 2006

VIBRANT COMMUNITIES SAINT JOHN Committee Member, February 2005-present

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY CAMPAIGN Co-Chair, September 2005-September 2006

CENTENARY-QUEEN SQUARE CARE CENTRES INC. BOARD Member, October 2005-present

BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE Committee Member, February 2006-present

POSITIVE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS Committee Member, February 2006-present

MANY FACES OF VIOLENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Member, February 2006-present

SAINT JOHN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION GROUP Member, March 2006-present

FUSION SAINT JOHN INC. 1st Vice-Chair, August 2007-present

FUSION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE Co-Chair, July 2006-present

HEALTH REGION 2 MENTAL HEALTH HOUSING COALITION Chair, November 2006-present

SAINT JOHN VOLUNTEER CENTRE Member, September 2007-present

EARLY PSYCHOSIS STEERING COMMITTEE Member, January 2007-present

GREATER SAINT JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION –ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Member, January 2008-present

SPECIAL AWARDS

Full tuition scholarship - Mount Allison University

Dean’s List recipient during all seven years of university

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada 2001 Postgraduate Scholarship

2002 Marguerite and Murray Vaughan Graduate Fellowship

2003 National Award for Affirming Ministry Programming from Affirm United for Closet Chat 2006 N.B. Merit Day Award for Community Leadership awarded to Fusion Saint John Inc.

2007 Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation Award for the top mark on the Canadian Healthcare Association’s Modern Management Program final exam

2007 Canadian Healthcare Association Award for the top mark in the Canadian Healthcare Association’s Modern Management Program overall

CERTIFICATES

DERRICK SWEET’S GET THE MOST OUT OF LIFE SEMINAR 2003

7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE 2004

ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING TEAMWORK WORKSHOP 2004

MASTERING BUSINESS MEETINGS AND TIME MANAGEMENT E-LEARNING COURSE 2004

TOURISM ASSOCIATION INDUSTRY OF N.B. SUPERHOST CERTIFICATION 2005

ASIST (SUICIDE INTERVENTION) TRAINING 2005

CERTIFICATE IN COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE SKILLS FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE 2006

FISH (CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TEAM BUILDING PROGRAM) TRAINING 2006 STRENGTHENING FAMILIES TOGETHER 2006

READING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WORKSHOP 2007

UNDERSTANDING MOTIONS WORKSHOP 2007

THE PRINCIPLES FOR USING EVIDENCE IN DECISION MAKING 2007

NOVA SCOTIA EARLY PSYCHOSIS PROGRAM (DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY)

THE PRODROME PHASE OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT 2007

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE 2007

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

ATLANTIC PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CONFERENCE (BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW) IN 2006

N.B. HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE IN 2006 & 2007

1ST N.B. SUMMIT ON POVERTY IN 2006 NOVA SCOTIA CHAPTER OF PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION CANADA CONFERENCE IN 2007

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION CONSULTATION IN 2007PROVINCIAL HEALTH SUMMIT IN 2007

The City of Saint John is experiencing increased growth and it is important that the decision makers involve the community when making decisions regarding this growth. We have an opportunity to ensure that all citizens benefit from this growth. We have an opportunity to show the rest of New Brunswick and Canada that Saint John is a vibrant and wonderful city. Please support me in my quest to serve the citizens of Saint John in a transparent, fiscally responsible and collaborative manner.

Join Jardine, Change Our Scene!

Thank you!

Check back often for more updates.