The Hampstead election is just 4 weeks away and it is a crucial one with two starkly opposite visions. If you are happy with how the town has been run the last four years and the self-serving actions of all the current members of council, then don’t vote for me or the outstanding council candidates that are on my team. However, if you have seen the steady decline of our town and want to go back to how things were under my administrations and then go forward to an exciting new era, read this e-mail carefully.
I will outline our platform, introduce my team, and then ask for your help by donating to our campaign and volunteering. Everyone who wants the changes that we will deliver must help in whatever ways they can. Voting is crucial but it is not enough. Please read this whole article to see what you can do to help.
Our Platform
- We will bring council salaries back to 2019 levels plus inflation – an almost 50% cut from the current level.
- We will have local tax increases below inflation every year as it used to be when I was mayor.
- We will reverse the decline in the beautification of Hampstead.
- We will bring back the free 10-concert series in Hampstead Park.
- We will reverse the by-law change that allows homes in Old Hampstead to triple in size.
- We will fix our by-laws to protect all parks and green spaces. Never again will a council be able to secretly sell Northcote Park or any other green space for development.
- We will consult before taking any major decisions unlike the current council.
- We will end the extravagant trips to conferences in Europe and the US. Instead, it will be one conference per councillor per year in Canada ONLY.
- We will institute strict spending limits on hotel and meal expenses. No more $900 a night hotel rooms.
- We will spend more on roads and sidewalks and the ones done will be based on expert analysis, not where the mayor or anyone else lives.
- We will review all fee increases put in place by the current council and many will be reduced.
- And much more.
But it is not enough to just elect me, I will need a majority of councillors or none of the above will happen. Here are the team members in their own words.
Our Team
Vanessa Blandford Seat 2
I am a mother of three elementary-aged children. I hold a degree from McGill and have worked in top Canadian research institutes, including the Hospital for Sick Children, The Montreal Neurological Institute, and Concordia’s Genomics Center. My projects covered metabolic diseases, the molecular basis of learning, and biofuels. Later I taught math, science and physics abroad and ran a retail business in Toronto. My skill set shows that I can take on many new endeavours.
My interest in council began in 2020 helping neighbors resolve street flooding. I am passionate about making data-driven decisions and building a thriving community, I will represent the interests of Hampstead residents and particularly their children.
Norman Levine Seat 4
I am a business leader with nearly 40 years of experience running a successful fashion company. With an MBA and a career spanning global sales and design, I’ve built a reputation for honesty, creativity, and professionalism. Along side my wife, high school sweetheart and business partner, I have built lasting relationships and now want to bring my communication and listening skills, as well as, leadership, to the Hampstead I love. I will make all your concerns my priority.
Doris Steinberg Seat 5
I have lived, worked, and volunteered in Hampstead for decades. As a clinical psychologist (Ph.D. Northwestern) and former President of the Friends for Mental Health non-profit, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others. For 16 years, I gave my time and energy doing the kind of work residents expect from a councillor, all without a salary:
- Revitalized our parks, medians, and green spaces across Hampstead which earned the town the highest provincial recognition for beautification, the only city on the island of Montreal to win 5 Fleurons.
- Created the quarterly newspaper that kept residents informed and engaged.
- Introduced the “boy and his dog” benches which were donated by an artist and raised $2,000 per bench for the town.
- Organized Hampstead’s Centennial celebrations with a parade, concerts, community events and much more.
- Launched the free summer concert series in the park, enjoyed by hundreds of residents.
- Brought in the donated Harry Rosen sculpture to Ellerdale Park, enriching our public art.
- Established Centennial Lane, raising funds for Hampstead with memorial bricks.
- And so much more…
I am devastated to see almost all my work destroyed.I put my heart and soul into this town. I am running for council to restore Hampstead’s beauty, spirit, and sense of community, and to make it even better for the years ahead.
Luc Vernhes Seat 6
I am a mechanical engineer with a PhD in physics engineering and over 20 years of experience leading technical projects. I bring expertise in evaluating complex systems and coordinating solutions with cross-functional, multicultural teams. Living in Hampstead since 2012 with my fabulous wife and two fantastic kids, I am running for council to ensure town projects are delivered with rigor and efficiency, and to promote governance that embraces environmental responsibility for the next generation.
Donations
In the past, I started organizing and raising money months in advance, but this time is different. I wasn’t planning to run and would only consider it if I could find excellent council candidates. Everything only fell into place very recently. Here are the rules regarding donations. The max you can donate to one candidate is $200. If you make one donation of $200 you will get a tax credit of $155 so you will be out of pocket only $45. If there are two or more voters in your house everyone can make a $200 donation and get the tax credit. If some of you want to do even more you can donate $200 to as many of our candidates as you wish but there is no tax credit after the first donation.
Time I spend calling people is time away from the campaign trail so please, if you can help, e-mail Bill@BillSteinberg.ca and let me know what you can do. Be sure to include your name and contact info. Don’t write any cheques yet. I or a canvasser will contact you.
Volunteers
If you have already let me know you want to volunteer, you don’t have to do it again. We will contact you. Canada post is on strike and distribution companies cost a fortune and are unreliable so we need volunteers to deliver our literature. We will also need volunteers to call to get the vote out for about 2 hours on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. If you can help, email Bill@billSteinberg.ca and let me know along with your contact info. Note: volunteers do not need to live in Hampstead but donors do.
I thank everyone for your help and support. Together we can put Hampstead back on the right path.
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2 Comments
Hi Bill
Great platform !!!
Just got back from Italy
You have extended your interest for me to help in any way,I definitely can be a volunteer .
please don’t hesitate to call me.
Thanks. We have a number of volunteers but we can always use more. Anyone wanting to join our volunteer team should e-mail at Bill@billSteinberg.ca. You don’t even have to live in Hampstead.
Bill Steinberg