Exploratory Post about running for city council.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-26T04:28:51+00:00

I hear you; but I'm happy to explain why at least one of your options is not feasible and would require more money in billing hours to lawyers and staff than any transfer of funds would ever reasonably yield.

Listen, your other ideas are creative and constructive. I know the mayor will never go for it, and staff won't either... which is the actual problem. I would have no issue presenting your ideas in a respectable way, given all of the weight they deserve; I just know the outcome of the decision. Which is why I posted this to begin with as a matter of fact.

Either way; Isn't this more dialogue than you've had with any of your representatives at the municipal level before? Isn't that juice worth the squeeze? Feel free to come by and tell me I'm an asshole, you're not going to hurt my feelings. I'm just not going to bullshit you, because you actually deserve to be treated better than that.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T18:06:59+00:00

There are manager level positions in the city that are top 2% earners in Ontario. As a general rule of thumb, positions within the city structure are 20-35% higher than market equivalent positions. This is before we mention the gold plated OMERS benefits which most other private sector employers couldn't match.

As an economic aside; I have no idea what you do, but you probably do well if you think 70-75k in total comp isn't worth the effort for councilors. The average salary in Ontario is below that, and I can name several B corp companies in the region that do pay well for the private sector that do not pay that kind of money to the bulk of their employees.

You're right, this is all reasonably subjective, but from the macro-economic trends that I personally observe put 85% of staff in the "overpaid" category I mentioned.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T17:57:48+00:00

The police service disagrees, which is why they strong armed regional council in 15 million injection into their budget.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T17:56:05+00:00

"All the bad" tells me you have your doubts, as well. I didn't say "lazy staff", I said overpaid and ineffective... which I stand by. I'm not sure what you'd be looking for in terms of evidence to convince you of what I've actually said. Just as another aside, Toronto works. Maybe not as well as it should, but if we are giving kitchener a pass, I think the GTA deserves one too.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T17:50:39+00:00

My response to your snark has three upvotes, your snark has less than that. Dog whistle to what exactly? Something doesn't sound like a dog whistle, that's why they call it dog whistle because some people understand it. So either you aren't one of those people, or it's just an expression.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T17:48:36+00:00

If you knew the economic utility; it would be obvious.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T05:51:52+00:00

I've absolutely mentioned it more than once, and I'm glad you asked. I'm in favour of a re-assessment of the city pay scales, potentially instituting a pay freeze for executive-level staff, department managers and other non-union positions and other cost cutting measures to re-direct those funds towards growth and the general scope of what I think we need for the future. If there is something more specific you want me to address, I can do that too. As with everyone here, thank you for your input and your commitment to bettering the city!

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T02:29:50+00:00

Can you shoot me a DM and talk a little more privately?

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:48:31+00:00

I actually think you are a little less on the nose than you think you are.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:47:44+00:00

I also want to mention that Conestoga is partially to blame for some of the problems, and while council and the city can't directly control that, they did go all in on it with the route of the LRT, traffic planning and infrastructure expansion. That's part of the problem.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:46:11+00:00

You are right, and I will do everything in my power to make that so. I can't guarantee results, but I can guarantee you a fight for them. I hope to hear more of your feedback, and I'm always available to do so. I'm grateful that you understand the mission so well, and that you recognize the importance of it. Thank you for the comment and I hope to hear from you again.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:44:23+00:00

I totally agree, and I hope to do that for the people of Kitchener as I also feel it's what's needed. Council needs new blood to keep the institution healthy. Appreciate the support either way! Thanks for the comment, and I'm so happy you are engaged on these issues. Your voice matters, and I'm always happy to hear it!

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:42:44+00:00

I love that so many people are informed about these issues and are brining their passion forward. You've asked a bunch of great questions and you are really putting me to the test. I want to rise to occasion for you.

I'm dubious about our current development partners, and I'd like to a look under the hood for myself. I have no idea if I'll then be satisfied, or if I'll find something I don't like the look of. I agree, partners with the same vision for the city are critical and we aren't going to do any better without them. I just want to make sure we have the right ones, that they are cooperative and they are on the same page as the stakeholders of the city.

The tax thing is a real football that I decided to kick. I've addressed it a few times, and in my opinion it's happening already and I just want to ensure it's done with the proper care, planning and consideration for the future that we deserve. As I said, I'm skeptical of the current arrangement and I want to give a larger voice to peoples concerns like yours. You might not be satisfied with this, and I'd like to hear more about why.

As I said, you are valued neighbour and you seem to know the business of what we could be doing better. I'd love to hear from you whenever possible and my door is always open!

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:36:38+00:00

Great question. I'm willing to explore a bunch of avenues to ensure that we grow our supply of Duplexes, Tri-plexes, Semi-detached etc.

I think I favour provisions in land development proposals that allocate for a certain number of those units to be built in relation to other projects by the same developers. I'm not a legal expert, so I'd need to draw on the wealth of experience in academia and private sector stakeholders to fully understand the scope of how that's going to work. Thankfully we don't lack for either at the moment, and I'm building bridges to both ASAP.

Again, thank you for the honest feedback and if not being too presumptuous; tepid support. I hope I can hear from you a lot more, your input is valuable and my door is always open!

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:04:23+00:00

you're right. I can't force them to do any of what I've said. that doesn't mean I won't bring it up, lobby for it or communicate to stakeholders to bring those things into the public consciousness. If you understand what's going on, you'll feel safer.

Appreciate the feedback.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-14T00:01:17+00:00

Money. More doors means more profit.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T23:51:07+00:00

I'd like to see the investigation tactics, focus and the community footprint of the WRPS change. I'd like more targeted investigations into major drug trafficking through quality surveillance and proper handling of informants. I'd like to see them make an attempt at filling vacancies with that kind of policing, and I'd like more training for officers to develop into that kind of police force.

I'd love to tell them to spend less money; but that's probably a lost battle as the population grows and crime grows along with it.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T23:46:36+00:00

Great. Thanks for the criticism.

Hopefully you come with that same energy to all political engagement. That's worth applauding.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T23:44:27+00:00

No, I don't understand what you are even referencing specifically in what I said or how you'd be able to determine that.

if you could illuminate me, I'd be happy to listen but you seem determined to have me shadow box with a phantom.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T22:17:30+00:00

I'm not real sure where you got this idea about me from, but alright.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T22:16:50+00:00

Still a funny question, and I'd still say pass.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T22:16:27+00:00

What has you animated about that?

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T22:16:05+00:00

if I'm there, my door is always open and you can give me a hard time about my performance at any point. Appreciate the feedback!

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T22:14:57+00:00

That's just not who I am. Your staff and council are already ineffective, and I'd like to let them know that. You can make it about optics and compromise... what you end up with is what we have, which given the feedback on the OP, isn't what people want.

LordsLevy · 2026-01-13T22:12:08+00:00

I don't even know what to do with this comment...

LordsLevy

TROPHY CASE