Ari Goldkind

I am a 32 year old, politically incorrect, hard working, dog loving resident of the City of Toronto, who is simply tired of pandering politicians who never speak their mind, because their jobs depend on always saying the safe and polite answer without offending anybody. The city needs new, bright, and youthful thinkers to truly address what will keep this city a great place to live for years to come.

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Chris Swiat

My name is Christopher Swiat, I live in Parkdale-High Park, and I am running for City Idol. I am a student in my second year of study at Ryerson University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety. I am running for City Idol because I feel that there is a lack of youth involvement in politics, and that there is a reason for it. With a relatively young person as councillor in City Hall, I feel that the youth voter turnout will increase and youth political involvement will increase.

David White

I am a citizen of Toronto who has always played an active role in the discussion of public issues. In my day job, I advise psychiatric patients about their legal rights. I was previously a City Councillor. Toronto has lost its way. Among other things, we need to address the growing divide between affluence and poverty along racial lines, the overuse of automobiles, the suppression of local democracy. City Councillors should welcome citizens into City Hall and demystify its processes.

Denis Stark

Arthur DENNIS Stark is a 44-year-old Aboriginal citizen born in Toronto. He has dual undergraduate degrees in History and Journalism. A former 1981 Canada Games double gold medallist, Dennis now pushes for accountability and transparency with the publishing of TANSI, his independently-owned Toronto Aboriginal newspaper.

As a City Idol Candidate, Dennis brings the concerns of the Aboriginal community to municipal politics - a first in Toronto's electoral history. He brings an Aboriginal perspective to represent all Torontonians if elected in November.

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Greg Porter

I am a lifelong resident of the city who has been an apartment dweller and a homeowner, a TTC rider and a motorist, an artist and a banker, and who's lived on both sides of Yonge Street.  I know that the multicultural nature of the city gives rise to opposing points of view, but that a skilled councillor can find compromises and solutions that will satisfy the needs of all the residents of Canada's greatest city.

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Hamish Wilson

I've lived about half my life in the Toronto core. I've spent much time and effort on public interest and environmental causes including air quality, car reduction, better transit and biking. I'm back on the Cycling Committee in part to push the Bloor bike lane idea (takethetooker.ca). I'd like to make a difference locally to clean up our setting: bad air and climate change don't know boundaries and we're climate cariminals, and not as green as people might think.

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Irwin Sampat

Hi! I’m running for City Idol because Toronto has lost its mojo and I’m the little blue pill that will help this city get its groove back. I’m Irwin Sampat, a person who’s spent his entire existence living in Toronto and the GTA. If I didn’t live here, I’d believe Toronto Unlimited (copyright?) represented the stories on gun violence, budget shortfalls and threatened job action by city employees. We need city councilors who can be responsible financially, while working to improve the quality of life in Toronto.

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Jason Carey

My name is Jason Carey. I choose to participate in City Idol because it offers the opportunity to bring to light many of the issues that dwell in our great city. Issues that everyone knows about and not enough people talk about. Getting citizens involved and proving that they do have a say is what’s important. I want to be a part of that, for myself and my city, our city, Toronto.

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JD Kruger

My name is J.D. Kruger. I am a teacher, artist and social activist. I have worked with grassroots political groups such as the Humanist Movement, engaging in projects dealing with health care, homelessness, and non-violence (including economic injustice). Teaching ESL, I have helped students dealing with new immigrant experiences. As an artist, I have worked in many media, and my portfolio can be found at www.greenlion.ca. I practise Tibetan Buddhism, and believe that spiritual enlightenment is one goal of humanity.

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Kelly Jones

I have travelled to alot of different cities and have an idea of how Toronto stacks up. Generally this is a great city. Almost anyone that you speak to thinks so whether they live here or are just visiting. Just because this is a great city does not mean that we can rest on our laurels however. Any great city is constantly in a state of improvement and evolution. Toronto should be no different.

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Kevin Mercer

Kevin Mercer is committed to the diversity and social fabric that makes up being Canadian, and finds it fully reflected in Toronto. A Toronto City Councillor should reflect the ambitions and hopes, energies and efforts, concerns and cares of the whole city. City Idol is a fun and interesting way to launch a campaign to contribute to the city where I live, learn and play. Right now I live in Riverdale, work to build an international consulting business and lead an urban watershed protection organization. Let's Make the Connection!

Luca Mele

The reason why I am running is mainly because I will not sit around and wait for my government and world around me to magically get all better, nor will I have anyone else sit around and wait for something I know in my heart that I; and the rest of the youth are meant to change for the better ourselves. My biggest issue with this city is the lack of honesty, the lack of love and the lack of respect for everything. No more excuses why anyone in office as city councillor can not push for a more honest and safe city.

Mark Fienberg

I am running because I am disturbed by the antics and sub par performance of our current Council. Our city needs responsible leaders who can approach and solve our problems with pragmatic and sensible solutions that will benefit all of our citizens. This can be done by NOT subscribing to the same dogma and narrow mindedness that has become the trademark of the current lot.

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Matthew Johnson

I am running for City Idol because I want to see our communities prosper, both today and into the future. I aspire to work with different organizations and individuals in an effort to help the city of Toronto improve and succeed. Integrity and honesty serve as the basis of my campaign. I can make a difference and have the ability and the resources to better our communities. This is the true heart of my initiative and it is something I wish for the city of Toronto to celebrate.

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Paul Farrelly

Paul Farrelly is a founder of VoteToronto.ca that publishes candidate disclosures of campaign financing. I am running for City Idol to make electoral financing transparent. A City Councillor should be obligated to be a community builder responsible for articulating the community interest and speaking for the interests and needs of the citizenry in the face of vested interests.

Ron Nurwisah

I'm running because too many councillors don't have a vision of Toronto that works for people instead of corporations. I'm running because too many councillors don't have the courage to stand up for the downtrodden, for the environment and for public spaces. I feel that I have the vision, the courage, and a genuine love for this city to make a great city councillor.

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Sean McKay

In order to make my candidacy interesting I have developed a platform to run on. I will advocate administrative reforms in the departments of parking enforcement and public health, strategies to encourage development of robust communities and community safety initiatives that would encourage greater participation by victims of crime.
I am running for City Idol because our democracy is only as strong as we make it. How better can I support democracy than by taking part?

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Shamez Amlani

My name is Shamez Amlani, I run a small restaurant in Kensigton Market. I am also a cycling advocate and help run Pedestrian Sundays where our neighbourhood becomes car-free several days of the year. This initiative could benefit many neighbourhoods across the city, transforming your world from parking lot to public playground, building community and cleaning our air at the same time.

I think a city councilor should have to wear a cape to remind them of the awesome responsibility they have towards their fellow citizens. They have to be a superhero!

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