For me, a memorable moment of last night’s Chamber of Commerce “Meet and Greet” came right at the beginning as the doors were opening to the public. 
I wander across to Tom’s table to shake his hand.
Me: “Tom, can I take a photograph of us shaking hands?”
Tom: “I’d rather not. I’d really rather not.”
Me turning to the camera: “Did you capture that? I’d rather not”
Me: “I’ll give you a second chance. Will you shake my hand?
(We shake hands)
Me to Tom: “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
As I walk away Tom sanitizes his hands.
Cowardly
In all my runs for public office I have never come across an opponent as cowardly as Tom Vegh.
Last night, when people asked him to participate in an election debate he said he would – but only if the Chamber of Commerce organised it. We know the Chamber will not do this. It has made its position clear. Vegh knows that.
But I have booked Newmarket Library on 6 and 11 October and it is still open to him to join me with a moderator (or Chair) of his own choosing. (I had to release the 4 October reservation when another Library user wanted the room and Vegh hadn’t replied to me.)
Vegh is like a boxer who refuses to come out of his corner yet still expects to win. I’ve told him he can pick the referee. But I’d still like a contest.
Don't ask me. Read my flyer.
When asked if he is taking money from people in the development industry he refuses to give a direct answer. He waffles. Instead, he lets his new flyer speak for him.
“Deputy Mayor Vegh respects that residents would prefer that candidates not accept donations from anyone who may do business with the Town. His 2022 campaign will be self-financed and donations from anyone who may do business with the Town will not be accepted.”
It looks like he is promising to cap his spend at $16,098 (the maximum he can spend using his own money) together with what he can coax from others who have no business with the Town.
In 2018 Vegh spent $8,590 on advertising; $25,358 on brochures and flyers and $11,472 on signs.
When he files his Financial Statement with the Town of Newmarket after the election he should know that I shall be going through it with a fine tooth comb.
I don’t want to see any fancy dancing.
Voting at the Region
Vegh refuses to comment on his voting behaviour at York Regional Council which is where the big policy decisions are made. Vegh is not stupid.
He says his votes on development applications in Newmarket have all been:
“consistent with staff recommendations.”
He cannot say the same thing about his votes on major planning policies at York Regional Council.
Vegh has voted contrary to staff recommendations.
And when the Town’s Mayor, John Taylor, accused regional councillors of shooting from the hip, taking decisions without calling first for advice from the professional planning staff, Vegh sided with the pro-development lobby and against his own Mayor, opening up over 12 square miles of open countryside for development.
Vegh voted for the adoption of a flawed York Regional Plan. Taylor voted against.
Vegh dissembles. It's in his DNA.
You never get an honest answer to a simple question.
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Below: At my table talking to Kevin Moyle
