Alan Harris Of Clarington's Ward 4

10/24/2018

Please keep your dials tuned to this station as I try to figure out a positive and constructive way for us all to work together to improve our communities. If there's one thing I hope we learned during the campaign it's that there's a lot of us who care a hell of a lot about our towns, and we're not too pleased with how our governments have been dealing with the issues we face.

I don't know if it will be something formal like a lobby group with a name and mandate, something informal like a page to bring people together to work on community projects, or something in between. Whatever it is I would appreciate everyone's ideas, advice, and support!

Some areas I believe need particular attention:

- Our parks, sporting fields, and trails,
- Our pedestrian infrastructure,
- Our ability to adapt to climate change,
- Development,
- Our agricultural industry,
- Economic growth, particularly in Orono,
- Building inclusive communities (for diverse age groups, income levels, etc).

Some of these could fall under the same umbrella like parks, climate change adaptation, and pedestrian infrastructure. Some of these things are already being tackled by groups or committees who may just need more attention and support like the Orono Community Collective or the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee. Others would require collective action from government, citizens, and business like supporting the agricultural industry.

So stay tuned, and don't hesitate to add your thoughts below!

10/23/2018

My friends,

I want to heartily congratulate Margaret Zwart on her amazing win. She will do great things for our communities, and she will work incredibly hard to advance our interests. I have no doubt that she is a great choice for the position. I look forward to working with her, and you should too.

Tonight I don't see it as a loss, I see it as 703 individual wins. Together we proved that you don't need the backing of a political party, you don't need to brag about your perceived accomplishments and accolades, you don't need to resort to cheap tricks, you don't even need hundreds of mass produced signs. You just have to listen to the people. I am incredibly honoured to have received the support I got. There are no words in the English language to express my gratitude.

This isn't the end, this is just the beginning. We will be back for the next election. Over the course of the next four years I look forward to working with everyone to better our community. Together we can achieve anything.

Now comes the hard part of democracy. The easy part is voting. Now we must focus on our priorities and ensure council is meeting our needs. This requires constant work and effort. I very much look forward to joining with you all in the struggle to make sure Ward 4 is not forgotten. We must support Ms. Zwart in her work, but also hold her accountable.

Again, thank you to everyone who voted for me, hosted a sign, and talked to their friends and family and neighbours on my behalf. There is no amount of thanks I can express to adequately convey how I feel. I am truly honoured.

I also wish to thank my friends and family that worked so hard. Without them I wouldn't have been able to achieve a fraction of what I did. They sacrificed nights, weekends, and holidays making signs, shooting videos, strategizing, and spreading our message. I am the luckiest person in the world.

Here's to the next four years of working together!

Your friend,

Alan

10/22/2018

Tomorrow is election day! No matter who you support, make sure you get out and vote. Democracy only works when we participate, so exercise your right!

As you all know local government is the closest level of government to the citizens. Despite having the least amount of resources and the least amount of authority, municipalities provide all the hard services: roads, parks, sewage, water, fire brigade, etc. This is why turnout is critical, we need citizens to be engaged and fight for a better share of resources from higher levels of government. If elected as your councillor I will not only be working for you, I'll be fighting for you too.

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, just know how much I've appreciated speaking with all of you about your concerns and ideas. I love talking about public policy so it has been a nice change that people actually wanted to listen! Haha. But seriously, I do appreciate the time everyone gave me, and the passion people have for the things they believe in. This is exactly what our grandparents and parents fought for.

Should I not be elected, I will be looking for other ways to bring everyone together and cooperate on improving our communities. My commitment has always been to the people and to our communities, and that doesn't end tomorrow. This is just the beginning.

Thank you to everyone who expressed their support, who took the time to discuss and debate the issues, and to my incredible friends and family. None of this would have been possible without all of you. There are no words to express my gratitude.

For the last time of the campaign:

Vote for Alan Harris for Clarington's Ward 4, and together we'll work to strengthen our communities.

10/21/2018

October 23, 2018, the day after the election.

I will:

➖ Begin conversations with Kim Rudd, David Piccini, and whomever is elected Regional Chair, regional councillor, and mayor on how the federal, provincial, regional, and local governments can work together on housing, transit, infrastructure, and job creation. Press upper levels of government for a greater portion of revenues and grants.

➖ Start the creation of roundtables for youth, seniors, farmers, artists, environmentalists, small business owners, and every community in the ward.

➖ Begin the consultation process for opting in/opting out of cannabis retail.

10/20/2018

10/20/2018

We may be fierce rivals on the ice, but on Monday, October 22nd let's come together and vote Alan Harris for Ward 4.

10/20/2018

Have a great weekend, and on Monday, October 22nd vote Alan Harris for Ward 4!

I have one request for you all. If you're planning on voting for me please tell your friends, family, and neighbours why. As you know word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising. If everyone can tell at least one other person we have the potential to double support.

Please, please, please vote on Monday, October 22nd. Local elections historically have the lowest turnout for voters despite local government providing the services we rely on most. This election you have the opportunity to elect a candidate whose only ambition is to work for and with you. Get out and vote, and take as many people with you as you can.

Thank you! Let's do this!

10/18/2018

If there's one thing everyone in Ward 4 agrees on, it's that we have some of the worst roads in Clarington. From Carscadden to Reid Road, from Arthur St. to Ochonski, our roads need serious attention. The list goes on!

What other roads need our attention?

10/17/2018

Green spaces are areas that allow us to get closer to nature and where our community comes together. They are a vital part of our green infrastructure. They haven't always gotten the care and attention they deserve. That changes with me on October 22nd.

10/17/2018

I know many of you will be celebrating the end of cannabis prohibition, but please don't let your democratic voice go up in smoke!

Remember to vote on October 22nd!

10/16/2018

Here in Ward 4, people are sick and tired of our roads being treated like drag strips. This must stop.

10/15/2018

My donors.

People are sick of money in politics, they're sick of politicians owing favours because of plum campaign contributions, and they're sick of local politics being infused with cash from developers. When I began this campaign I set out to do politics differently.

My donations have come in the form of goods from family, and sweat equity from friends. I haven't taken a single dime from anyone, and I haven't asked. This campaign has been built on listening to the people, word of mouth, and hard work. Those are things money can't buy.

When you cast your vote for me on October 22nd you can do so knowing I'm here to work for the people, not for donors.