May 7, 2026
Below is our first newsletter for our objective to flip the flow of how we are governed from the politicians to the people. We expect to issue these newsletters every 2-weeks between now and our local Election Day on October 26.
Imagine the people governing themselves. We can.
It is doable. But we will have to revolutionize ourselves to change that flow. We can do that.
This mission starts local — from our communities to our local Town Hall. And the more that other communities do the same, the more the power of the people will flow into provincial and state capitals and right into the seats of the federal government.
We are starting it in our own local community … The Front of Yonge Township in Eastern Ontario Canada. Hopefully, we set an example for other communities to do the same.
Power to the People!
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We have not elected our local Town Council for at least 12-years now. And it is costing us.
Last election, they were acclaimed. Nobody ran against them. As such, nobody voted for them. In the election before that, it was pretty well the same story.
What does that mean? First off, many of us do not even know their names! Most of us don’t even see or hear from them. Secondly, we are stuck with what they do and don’t do. The result is that our lives just get more complicated, restrictive and expensive.
Look at our recent property taxes as a clear example. For the decade between 2012 and 2022 they increased by an average of 1.3% a year. In the last four years they increased by 4.8. 4.2, 4.3 and 4.5%. The increases have tripled.
In 2022 they completed an extension of the Municipal Building. We asked some construction professionals how much they thought it should cost to build. They responded with about $200,000 and - when pressed - up to $350,000 to $400,000 at the extreme level. The actual cost was upwards of $900,000! And the purpose of this project? To build a new Town Council meeting room — when our Council only meets 2 evenings a month. Meanwhile we had and still have a meeting room in the Community Centre (above the Library). This was unnecessary.
Currently, they are actively considering the construction of a new Fire Hall. The projected cost is $3-million which does not even include land as the Township already owns that. We have been told it is only “being considered” yet they already put out a tender earlier this year for architectural designs (those aren’t free). We will pay for it with a 30-year mortgage note. We will be on the hook to pay for this for the next 30-years. Do we really need this?
Has the Council asked us for our opinions on these initiatives? Nope.
We can change this. It is time for us citizens to actively participate in governing ourselves in our own community.
Let’s actively participate in our own governance. And we can do that. Together is how. Neighbours with neighbours.
Let’s participate in this election. Let’s run candidates that we choose for all five Council positions. Let’s run on a platform of governing ourselves.
Additionally, we can build an online platform so everyone can present ideas. So that everyone can discuss and debate those ideas. So that working together, we can make them even better ideas. So that we can ultimately even vote on those ideas. And this entire democracy app can be hooked up directly with our Town Council.
Yes - an actual democracy app - so that we actively build our community together.
And our new Council will be tasked with delivering what we - the people - decide on together.
Politicians don’t have ideas. The people do. We have already talked with many of you — and we can vouch for that to be fact!!!
Such an app can be built. The technology for it has been here for decades now.
Imagine that. We can actually rule ourselves together with our neighbours. We can actually live the promise of democracy. We can actually live the promise of community. And — we can actually set an example for communities everywhere! Right here in the Front of Yonge Township.
We are organizing meetings every two-weeks between now and election day. Join us. Let’s start by nominating 5 candidates from among ourselves to form our next Town Council.
Who do you think would be good candidates? Let us know.
The next meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY MAY 13 at 7 PM at the Pavillion in the Mallorytown Recreational Park (at the soccer fields). JOIN US. JOIN YOUR NEIGHBOURS.
Subscribe to these newsletters. Stay informed. They will be issued every two weeks following each of our meetings. It’s all free, it’s fast and simple to do, and the newsletters will be sent to your email inbox.
Visit our website. Watch the videos about democracy and what it means to govern ourselves. Understand the power we actually have. The links are posted on our website OurTownHall.org
And feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Your ideas make our ideas better ideas. Democracy is a team game. Democracy is a community game. Let’s get on the playing field.
Why should we let politicians that ignore us make our decisions for us? Let’s govern ourselves and build our community together.
We look forward to seeing you at the soccer fields. Our community’s soccer fields.
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