For updated campaign stories, my Feedback Forum, info for the All-Candidates meeting, and the Rogers TV schedule for this election, please scroll to the bottom of this page

Election Day is Here!  I want to thank each and everyone of you, for supporting my campaign and taking time to come out and vote for me.  Meeting you has been my pleasure.  It's unfortunate we didn't get the intended result, but we did finish a respectable second place.  I believe we made a difference.  I wish all of you all the best!

Election Results: 

Nando:  5,815
Shane:  1,396
Beju:     1,054
Sam:      594

mcneilshane@rogers.com

For an honest and innovative approach to municipal politics, come out on Nov 13th and cast your vote. If you wish to make an honest change, cast your vote for Shane McNeil for Ward 7 City Councillor... the only candidate with new and honest ideas... the only candidate who cares enough to canvass in-person, for your vote... and the only challenger who actually lives in Ward 7.

On November 13th, say NO to Nando   Vote for Shane McNeil... Vote for HONESTY!

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Please help needy families... Please donate to FoodPath, Mississauga's local food bank...   www.foodpath.org

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As you may know, GTA city councillors have been busy voting themselves greedy raises. Currently, Mississauga councillors are the highest paid in the entire country. This is not acceptable, as city money can be better spent. Prior to the last year, councillors earned $115,000, and yet they will receive unnecessary raises in the upcoming term.  This is outrageous... the people should not stand for this kind of unaccountability.

What the Press is Saying:

Corbasson most frugal of councillors  (The Mississauga News)

Apr 15, 2006

Ward 1 Councillor Carmen Corbasson was the most frugal City of Mississauga politician when it came to spending her constituency budget last year.

According to an annual statement prepared each year by City Hall, which details salaries and expenses of councillors, Corbasson spent $12,117 of her allotted $20,300 for ward expenses.

Ward 7 Councillor Nando Iannicca came the closest to the ceiling of the fund. He spent $21,074 of his budgeted $21,700.  (highlighted text, from Mississauga News)

- Please make a note of councillor Iannicca, as it has been suggested by many, including Ward 7 residents, that he spent in such an extreme and reckless manner, as he was buying furnishings for his home and not his office, as was permitted by the allowance.  Regardless if he was or not, this over-spending councillor needs to be thrown out.

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Is Nando Telling the Truth?

 I have been receiving some disturbing emails from the incumbent of Ward 7, Nando Iannccia.  At first, he was writing to me and saying he was 'Rita,'  however, I don't think he knew that his email identity was visible.  Well, I confronted him through an email about this, and he responded, now offering another lie, claiming to be the brother of Nando.. here is what he wrote:

"I am the Councillor's brother.  I used a pseudonym because I thought you would not respond to my e-mail if you knew who I was.   I was acting however as a concerned family member...  My brother was unaware of my messages to you and I want to say that it was inappropriate for me to use a pseudonym in our correspondence."

- Due to the fact he offered such in-depth details about city hall, I do believe this to be Nando.  This is my opinion.  It would be very unlikely to be someone else.. and very unlikely that Nando would not be aware of the emails.  I find this disturbing if he did know, as his apology shows that he is a very dishonest person... as he is only offering another lie, to cover himself.  I feel that the people of Ward 7 should know about this incident, so they can see what he's all about.  On election day, you can decide to either vote for this dishonesty, or you can make a change. 
Vote for Shane McNeil.. Vote for HONESTY!

- The Mississauga News has now given this story front-page coverage... Please see the Oct 25, 2006 issue. 

Sandro Iannicca, who said he is a member of his brother's re-election team, admits to posing as a female ratepayer and sending e-mails to upstart candidate Shane McNeil....  In an interview with The News, Nando Iannicca said he didn't know anything about his brother's e-mails until after the exchange with McNeil. (highlighted text from Mississauga News)

-As you can see, Nando is bent on never being honest, to the point where he's willing to endanger his brother by subjecting him to a possible criminal charge... all for a fat pay cheque.  In my opinion, these emails did not come from Nando's brother... they came from Nando, himself.  In fact, as he did offer such technical details about city hall, only Nando could be behind those emails and this insulting charade.  I just hope the people of Ward 7 can see through a dishonest man who lacks integrity and credibility, as I can.  I wouldn't trust this guy with a child's piggy bank, let alone taxpayer's money.

Say NO to Nando 
Vote for Shane McNeil... Vote for HONESTY!

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My Platform:

I am very much against public officials making outrageous amounts of money, as I believe that high salaries only attract corruption. People who are attracted to run for office due to the fact that they seek fat pay cheques, are running for wrong and corrupt reasons. If I am elected, I do not plan to keep any salary raise, nor will I be voting in favour of any future raise. In fact, I do intend to address council on this matter, in order to reverse the last salary increase. If a reversal is not agreed upon by other councillors, I plan to donate my pay increase to our city's food bank, at Foodpath.   In addition, I would seek a resolution that would only allow future council to vote a single raise once every ten years.

Other pressing issues that I am concerned with and plan to address are as follows:

-  As you may already know, Mississauga is rapidly losing its greenspaces, as it gives-way to corporate development. I am strongly against this, as I intend to be a voice against over-development. If you re-elect the current councillor, you should be prepared to have a future high-rise condo hovering over your backyard, or blocking-out all of your view.  Be prepared to lose major property value.  However, elect me and this will not happen, without a serious fight.  Unlike your current councillor, I do not intend to ghettoize neighbourhoods with row-after-row of apartment and condo complexes.  Unlike your current councillor, I am not a pansy who will buckle and rollover to corporate demands.  I intend to offer leadership and strength to the people of Ward 7.  I intend to offer innovation, with new and honest ideas.

-  If you are familiar with Peel Living, then you know it is a mess.  During my campaign, I have visited many apartment complexes that are owned by Peel Living.  These buildings are poorly maintained, to the point where it is shameful.  Too, the rents people are paying can disgracefully be called outrageous, unfair and inhumane.  Low-income people living in a two-bedroom apartment, are paying rent of $1,100 per month, approximately... which is only about $100-200 under what people in luxury condos are paying.  No matter what Peel Living and the city euphemistically call it, as they refer to it as 'market' rent, it doesn't change the fact that our city is now in the business of acting as slumlords.  If anyone doubts this, I challenge you to come and visit some of the buildings in question, and talk to a few of the residents, as I have.  The only thing our city is accomplishing, by making low-income families pay such rents, is they are driving them every month to the door of our local food bank... and in a growing number of cases, they are making people and their children homeless.  Is this acceptable from a city that boasts its riches?  I think not.  Well, if I'm elected, I intend to be a voice for the people who need help the most.  I do not intend to look the other way, as slumlords do without decency and no conscience.

 -  I strongly believe that Mississauga should be maintaining and building new soccer parks and hockey arenas.  In order to promote physical well-being, it is up to the city to start showing some leadership.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  At present, Canada is 3rd in the world, for having the highest rate of child obesity.  I am not willing to accept this, as your future councillor.  Even though Mississauga has not built, on its own, a new ice arena since the Port Credit facility, of the 1960s, I intend to re-open this debate. In order to get our city back in the game of promoting sports-for-all, we need to set aside spaces for soccer parks and hockey arenas.  It is also my intention to have any new facilities run by the city and not by private business, in order to keep them affordable for all.  It is true that we need more hockey arenas in our city, but we also need them to be accessible to middle-class and low-income families.  It is outrageous to see hockey become so expensive.  Imagine, if someone like Wayne Gretzky was growing up now, in our city, his working-class father would not be able to afford the cost of having him in rep hockey, and could barely afford house league.  What a loss that would be.  What a loss it is, to see our young people not able to participate and have a chance in hockey, as well as other sports.

- Set elected terms. I plan to propose that all members of council only be allowed to run for a limited number of terms, such as no more than three complete terms. I believe this is paramount, as city politics is intended as a voice for the average person -- it is not intended as a life-long career for those who can't make it in the real world. The current city councillor for Ward 7 has been in office far-too long, and the website for the city of Mississauga outlines that he has only held a job for two years, outside of politics.  In fact, in a recent Rogers TV video clip, Nando himself admits that he only worked for 2 years, prior to being elected.  Career politicians are the typical politicians that most of us in society have come to despise. On November 13th, do something about this and cast your vote for change, honesty and accountability.

- Improved road conditions and better safety standards, within school crossing zones are much needed. Currently, school crossing zones are poorly marked and are barely visible to oncoming traffic. This is unacceptable. Other municipalities have adopted "Zebra Stripes" for all school crossings. Such markings are a much more effective way to warn oncoming cars that they are approaching a school zone. In addition, Zebra Stripes do not have to be constantly repainted every year. The stripes are an actual mould and thus the reason for its longevity. The only reason for council's neglect to child safety is the cost. I'm assuming they would rather spend taxpayers money on themselves by voting constant raises, rather than addressing child safety at school zones.

- More attention needs to be directed at pollution control and improved public transportation. Also, the over development of buildings and highrise condominiums should be re-examined. Mississauga is now facing over-crowding concerns, as it does not have a current infrastructure to maintain its vast growing population.

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My Background is as follows:

- I am a graduate of York University, with a bachelors degree in general business. I am currently a tax accountant and former government officer. In addition, for the past several years I have also worked within the Ministry of Education.

If you have any questions, including if you need to know where you are to vote, send an email to mcneilshane@rogers.com.  Also, watch your mail for a voter card, as it will contain all information on where you are to vote. Furthermore, if you need a ride on election day, I am sure I can make arrangements to have you picked up.

- Municipal elections usually have very low voter turnouts, this is why I seriously need your involvement. Even if you have not been an avid voter and are not on the voter list, still come to vote. On election day, you will only need identification that shows your address. Alternatively, you can bring any ID as long as you show a bill or paystub that includes your current address.

In the near future, watch this site as I intend to post all voting stations, in Ward 7. Please note that you can vote before Nov 13th at advanced Polling. On Saturday Nov 4th, there will be one station open for all of Ward 7. Advanced voting on that day, will be held at the Huron Park Community Centre, located at 830 Paisley Blvd, between the hours of 10am to 8pm. Additionally, further advanced polls will be held at City hall only, on Nov 6 to 7, from 12pm to 7pm.

Voting information has been provided to you.  If you look at the front page of my brochure, you will notice that I have included the location of your polling station.  If you can't find it, go to mississauga.ca  go to 'elections' and click-on 'how and where to vote'  follow the instructions.  Polls will be open all day on the 13th, from 10 am to 8 pm.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  I thank all of you.

Campaign Trail:

To the people of Cliff Rd and Pathfinder:  It was unfortunate to hear your story about the current councillor.  It is unfortunate that he would not return your calls nor answer your concerns, regarding your request for a much-needed stop sign, at Cliff and Pathfinder.  I can assure you, I will be addressing your petition with urgency.  Your calls will not be ignored once I am elected.

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To the people of Morrison and Pollard drive:  It is shameful that the stairs leading to Dundas St W, are so poorly lit.  Thank-you for bringing it to my attention.  Too, once I'm elected, I intend to make sure those stairs are salted and cleared during winter months.  Even if the city does not agree to this, I will pay for it myself.  Either way, those stairs will be maintained, when I'm elected.  Your  current councillor has neglected the safety of your neighborhood for far-too long.

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Feedback Forum: What the people of Ward 7 are saying

- Oct 18, 2006  "... you do indeed have my full support.  Honesty & integrity are going to go a long way in this campaign."  Dee Sanger

- Oct 9, 2006  "It is nice to know that there may finally be a realistic and viable alternative to Nando."  Ross and Lena Grandy

Thank you so much for your consideration and your remarks. I look forward to hearing from you.  Please send an email to mcneilshane@rogers.com  It may be included in the Forum

Sincerely,

Shane McNeil

(Candidate for Ward 7 Councillor)

Schedule: Ward 7 candidates on Rogers TV

- Starting on Monday October 30th, and to be aired up until election day, November 13:

Tues: 4am, 11pm     Wed:  7am

Thurs: 4am, 2pm, 11pm     Fri:  7am   

Sat: 4am, 3pm, *2am   

Sun: 10pm     

*(Please note:  the sat 2am time is technically early sunday morning)

- You can also view candidate clips, by going to rogerstelevision.com and follow the links.

The All-Candidates meeting is to be held on November 1st, at St Timothy elementary school, located at 2214 Cliff Rd/Queensway.  It is to start at 6:30pm and is to end by 9:30.  Please come out, as I do need your support.

The opinions expressed on this blog, have been derived from several sources, such as news articles and from talking and meeting with the people of Ward 7.  The site is merely offered as a way to keep people informed, on what their neighbours are saying about this election.  However, it is up to people to get involved and do their research.  In any election, it is up to the voter to determine validity.  This is the Canadian democratic way.  So get informed... get involved and come out and vote!