Well we came up a little short. But a quick acknowledgement to our new councillor and best wishes to Brian as he serves the community.
I have to thank everyone who did support me; from my campaign team that worked tirelessly to the volunteers that put up signs, did drops and fought valiantly on election day to drive out the vote. A special thanks to Alex Forrest and his team of fire fighters.
The last three months were a remarkable journey and I truly appreciated the kindness of the people of St. Vital as my family and I campaigned through good weather and bad. To all those friends we met along the way, it was wonderful to reconnect.
I also wanted to thank all the people of north St. Vital for the nine years I had the privilege of serving on your school board. They were great moments of personal accomplishment that I will always remember.
Finally to Bei and Alphonse, nothing is more important than family. We are embarking on a new opportunity for renewal. The holiday season is upon us and then it's off to China!
Signing off.
Mike Ducharme
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Friday, 25 November 2011
Independence Day
Whew, last day on the trail and spent it on Salme Dr. and Victoria Cres. Great response, running into people I and my family have known for years. Finished it off walking with my Dad, Gerry.
Interesting interview with CBC News today. They called and wanted to do an on camera and caught up with me on St Mary's Rd, while I was doing a drop in the area.
It appears that an unfortunate under current of partisanship is raising its head in this campaign. One thing that I can guarantee my supporters. I remain completely independent of any party affiliation. If elected, I will be beholden only to the people of St. Vital. No one on Broadway will hold sway over the priorities of this community if I am your city councillor. Independent means serving you first.
When you go to the polls tomorrow, think of it as an opportunity to vote on your very own Indpendence day.
Cheers everyone, see you at the polls!
Interesting interview with CBC News today. They called and wanted to do an on camera and caught up with me on St Mary's Rd, while I was doing a drop in the area.
It appears that an unfortunate under current of partisanship is raising its head in this campaign. One thing that I can guarantee my supporters. I remain completely independent of any party affiliation. If elected, I will be beholden only to the people of St. Vital. No one on Broadway will hold sway over the priorities of this community if I am your city councillor. Independent means serving you first.
When you go to the polls tomorrow, think of it as an opportunity to vote on your very own Indpendence day.
Cheers everyone, see you at the polls!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
A Local Presence
It's amazing to think on how this election has carried on. When I started knocking on doors to find out what issues were out there it was 34+ degrees and one kind lady offered me an apple off her tree because I looked too hot. What a difference now. The mitts and tuques are out and the new kindness is when someone takes us in to chat and warm-up.
Thank you so much to the people of St. Vital for your support and consideration in listening to my message and providing feedback on issues of concern to you.
For over 29 years I've had the privilege of serving the community of St. Vital in business and public service. With your kind support on Saturday I hope to continue. If all goes well, I will be maintaining a continuing community presence with a ward office located at 755 St. Mary's Rd. This will offer residents the ability to call or just drop in locally to discuss issues or concerns.
This has been a family tradition extending back to my father's days in public life. Our continuing local commitment will be a key tool in helping St. Vital grow and prosper.
Thank you so much to the people of St. Vital for your support and consideration in listening to my message and providing feedback on issues of concern to you.
For over 29 years I've had the privilege of serving the community of St. Vital in business and public service. With your kind support on Saturday I hope to continue. If all goes well, I will be maintaining a continuing community presence with a ward office located at 755 St. Mary's Rd. This will offer residents the ability to call or just drop in locally to discuss issues or concerns.
This has been a family tradition extending back to my father's days in public life. Our continuing local commitment will be a key tool in helping St. Vital grow and prosper.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
St. Vital Mustangs Awards Dinner
Great evening last night at the St. Vital Mustangs awards dinner. The Mustangs celebrated their Major and Midget teams. Both were provincial champions this year. Last nights celebration even included a couple of Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Joe Lobendahn (a guest speaker) and Dorian Smith. Here is a picture with the two of them and Mustangs President Simon Mundey. Go Bombers!
Getting back to the awards banquet it should be noted that the Midgets in particular had an incredible year. They went 10-0, giving up only 13 points on defence; that was not per game, but only 13 points total all year....wow. Congratulations to this amazing team of young men and coach Craig Bachynski and his staff for an outstanding achievement.
We talk a lot about how community programs can make a huge impact in the lives of young people. The young men and now women that graduate from this organization are models of confidence, discipline and sportsmanship. Young people who are themselves motivated to give back later. This organization is a tremendous example, essentially self supporting with hard working volunteers and families, the Mustangs exemplify all that is great about St. Vital.
Just a note on the meal. It was catered by a St. Vital Business, CJL Specialty Catering. Lynn Desrosiers has been in this business for over 20 years and runs the best catering kitchen in South Winnipeg. The meal last night was fantastic!
Thank you Lynn for the meal and congratulations to your boys for their success with the Major team.
Thank you also to Simon Mundey & Gord Mattes for the invitation and introductions. You gentlemen run an amazing program that carries on a St. Vital Mustang tradition of success for over 65 years.
Cheers
Getting back to the awards banquet it should be noted that the Midgets in particular had an incredible year. They went 10-0, giving up only 13 points on defence; that was not per game, but only 13 points total all year....wow. Congratulations to this amazing team of young men and coach Craig Bachynski and his staff for an outstanding achievement.
We talk a lot about how community programs can make a huge impact in the lives of young people. The young men and now women that graduate from this organization are models of confidence, discipline and sportsmanship. Young people who are themselves motivated to give back later. This organization is a tremendous example, essentially self supporting with hard working volunteers and families, the Mustangs exemplify all that is great about St. Vital.
Just a note on the meal. It was catered by a St. Vital Business, CJL Specialty Catering. Lynn Desrosiers has been in this business for over 20 years and runs the best catering kitchen in South Winnipeg. The meal last night was fantastic!
Thank you Lynn for the meal and congratulations to your boys for their success with the Major team.
Thank you also to Simon Mundey & Gord Mattes for the invitation and introductions. You gentlemen run an amazing program that carries on a St. Vital Mustang tradition of success for over 65 years.
Cheers
Friday, 11 November 2011
Remembrance
Many of you have seen Alphonse throughout this election on brochures or even in person at your door. He is named for my mother's god father, her uncle Alphonse Normandeau. My Alphonse's great-great uncle was a young warrant officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.
Alphonse is on the upper right, beside him is my grandfather Ralph and on the left is Paul.
Alphonse served on a Halifax Bomber and was killed when the aircraft crashed during a training mission on March 16, 1944. His brother, Paul, died five months later during a flying bomb raid while on leave in London. To this day I remember my grandfather's continuing grief over the loss of his brothers. Great uncles, that I never had the chance to know.
Today we reflect on the fact that much of what we have including this by election came at great cost. Take time today for a moment of silence and remember to wear your poppy.
In memory of Alphonse, Paul & Ralph Normandeau and Louis Ducharme.
Alphonse is on the upper right, beside him is my grandfather Ralph and on the left is Paul.
Alphonse served on a Halifax Bomber and was killed when the aircraft crashed during a training mission on March 16, 1944. His brother, Paul, died five months later during a flying bomb raid while on leave in London. To this day I remember my grandfather's continuing grief over the loss of his brothers. Great uncles, that I never had the chance to know.
Today we reflect on the fact that much of what we have including this by election came at great cost. Take time today for a moment of silence and remember to wear your poppy.
In memory of Alphonse, Paul & Ralph Normandeau and Louis Ducharme.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Canoe Club Green Space
I'm hearing concerns in the Elm Park neighborhood about the future of the green space around the former Winnipeg Canoe Club and the current golf course. This issue touched close to home as I grew up at 326 Kingston Cres. and often walked to and from Windsor school through the area using the golf course underpass. A lot of fond memories of that playful childhood time.
This area has a rich history for the community of Elm Park. At one time the park area extended all the way from Kingston Cres. to St. Mary's Rd. It has been an exhibition area, green space, private club and most recently a public golf course and residential housing area.
Above is a great picture of the park in its earliest form.
As a city councillor I would oppose plans to convert the remaining green space to condominiums and would work with residents to preserve and protect some of the last parts left of Elm Park.
Thank you to area residents for building the attached link for more information in this important community issue.
http://www.stvitalgreenspace.com/
This area has a rich history for the community of Elm Park. At one time the park area extended all the way from Kingston Cres. to St. Mary's Rd. It has been an exhibition area, green space, private club and most recently a public golf course and residential housing area.
As a city councillor I would oppose plans to convert the remaining green space to condominiums and would work with residents to preserve and protect some of the last parts left of Elm Park.
Thank you to area residents for building the attached link for more information in this important community issue.
http://www.stvitalgreenspace.com/
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Riverside Lions Estates
Busy day yesterday visiting with folks at Riverside Lions Estates. Really good conversations and with plenty of dialogue about issues that are important to seniors.
Not surprisingly, the condition of sidewalks and snow clearing are serious issues for this community. I am committing to work with these communities to raise the priority of sidewalk renewal and snow clearing that will reflect not just the volume of foot traffic in these communities but also the mix.
My family has a long history with this community, my father Gerry found the land for the project and we have supported the community in other ways. Thank you to Stan Puchniak for the introduction and to Pat Dodd and Irene Henschel for their support.
Here's a picture of myself with Pat and Irene in the lobby. The third bronze head from the left is a much younger Gerry.
My family has a long history with this community, my father Gerry found the land for the project and we have supported the community in other ways. Thank you to Stan Puchniak for the introduction and to Pat Dodd and Irene Henschel for their support.
Here's a picture of myself with Pat and Irene in the lobby. The third bronze head from the left is a much younger Gerry.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Fire Fighters Join The Ducharme Team!
Today was a huge day! The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg announced their full endorsement of my candidacy for councillor for St. Vital. What a tremendous privilege and honour to have the support of this group of brave men and women. As an insurance professional, I have the highest respect for their commitment to public safety and acknowledge all they do for our community when they put their lives on the line.
Their confidence in my experience and skills and my support for public safety is truly humbling. The success of the UFFW as a campaign partner is unparalleled. I want to thank Alex Forrest and his team at the UFFW and welcome them to the Ducharme Campaign.
Alex, thank you for the sign!
Have a look at the full press release issued by the UFFW.
http://www.uffw.ca/Election.htm#Endorsing Mike Ducharme
Their confidence in my experience and skills and my support for public safety is truly humbling. The success of the UFFW as a campaign partner is unparalleled. I want to thank Alex Forrest and his team at the UFFW and welcome them to the Ducharme Campaign.
Alex, thank you for the sign!
Have a look at the full press release issued by the UFFW.
http://www.uffw.ca/Election.htm#Endorsing Mike Ducharme
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Glenwood Community Centre
Wow, a busy day of canvassing that was broken up by a great visit to Glenwood Community Centre. One of St. Vital's smaller centres, it's amazing just how busy it is. Most of us think of community centres as places for hockey, soccer and baseball. They are really a lot more than that.
Peter Elwick was kind enough to show me around the facility and share some of the programs. There were no less than three other groups there while I was visiting in addition to the fact that Glenwood is the home of the South Winnipeg Scouts and Beaver movement including the unofficial Winnipeg Scouts museum. The collection of Scouts memorabilia is impressive.
While I was there the gym was occupied by a seniors mobility group that was in mid exercise when I peaked in and got an invite to start stretching.
I discovered that the Louis Riel School Division has been using the facility for special needs students learning skills for living. Students from Nelson Mac, Glenlawn and Dakota all participate in programs and activities that see them bake (great homemade turtles), help with chores, and even help with the gym equipment. This is exactly the kind of inter sectoral support and networking that children of all ages in our community need
Finally I sat in as the Spanish Play Group was just sitting down for Lunch. We chatted about this program in which families gather to share Spanish culture and language in a drop in format with lots of play activities for kids. The program is open to non-Spanish speakers and is a great way to introduce your child to the language and culture. Thank you to Eugenia and Sergio for a wonderful introduction to your group and thanks for the tremendous homemade tomatillo salsa that I sampled.
Our big community centres are very valuable members of the community but organizations like Glenwood are also incredibly important to their communities and need every bit as much attention from their city councillor as well. They have so much to offer the community and really put the activity into living.
A nod to Colleen Champagne, what a tremendous job she does on behalf of Glenwood finding and retaining programs like the ones I saw today.
For those of you who want to know a bit more about one of St. Vital's many special places check out the attached link.
http://www.glenwoodcc.ca/
Peter Elwick was kind enough to show me around the facility and share some of the programs. There were no less than three other groups there while I was visiting in addition to the fact that Glenwood is the home of the South Winnipeg Scouts and Beaver movement including the unofficial Winnipeg Scouts museum. The collection of Scouts memorabilia is impressive.
While I was there the gym was occupied by a seniors mobility group that was in mid exercise when I peaked in and got an invite to start stretching.
I discovered that the Louis Riel School Division has been using the facility for special needs students learning skills for living. Students from Nelson Mac, Glenlawn and Dakota all participate in programs and activities that see them bake (great homemade turtles), help with chores, and even help with the gym equipment. This is exactly the kind of inter sectoral support and networking that children of all ages in our community need
Finally I sat in as the Spanish Play Group was just sitting down for Lunch. We chatted about this program in which families gather to share Spanish culture and language in a drop in format with lots of play activities for kids. The program is open to non-Spanish speakers and is a great way to introduce your child to the language and culture. Thank you to Eugenia and Sergio for a wonderful introduction to your group and thanks for the tremendous homemade tomatillo salsa that I sampled.
Our big community centres are very valuable members of the community but organizations like Glenwood are also incredibly important to their communities and need every bit as much attention from their city councillor as well. They have so much to offer the community and really put the activity into living.
A nod to Colleen Champagne, what a tremendous job she does on behalf of Glenwood finding and retaining programs like the ones I saw today.
For those of you who want to know a bit more about one of St. Vital's many special places check out the attached link.
http://www.glenwoodcc.ca/
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