By Keith Gilligan
kgilligan@durhamregion.com
DURHAM – Joe Dickson is off to Queen’s Park, where he wants "to be a
productive representative, however small that may be. I want to be part
of the championship team under Dalton McGuinty.
"I want to learn my position and pay my dues." The MPP-elect for Ajax-Pickering
riding said Wednesday during a victory celebration at the Carruther’s Creek
Golf Centre.
Mr. Dickson easily won the riding, topping his closest rival, Progressive
Conservative Kevin Ashe, by more than 6,300 votes. Mr. Dickson garnered
49.6 percent of the vote to Mr. Ashe’s 34 percent.
When asked for his impression of the results, Mr. Dickson said, "I was
pleasantly surprised we have another mandate with a strong majority. I’m
humbled. It’s certainly higher than I expected.
"We entered the race quite late. We had eight weeks to put it all together,"
he added.
"The first thing is to go before both councils and get their input on
what’s needed to improve Ajax and Pickering," he stated.
"There was as many concerns expressed at the door about education and
health care as there was about John Tory’s education question. The more
you talked to them, they wanted the education system better than it is today,"
he said. "Seniors and the middle aged are concerned about health care. They
don’t want the problems they have in other provinces."
A priority for Mr. Dickson is to "invest in our youth," pointing to "the
situation of Ajax youths who can’t participate in sports because their families
can’t afford it."
Mr. Dickson touched on "increasing the number of youth activities, in
sports, recreation and culture. That’s why I sponsor 22 men’s, women’s and
youth teams. We don’t need idle hands. Idle hands lead to home invasions."
Mr. Ashe said in an interview he was disappointed with the result. "I
had expectations going in that we would be higher. I’ve been in this game
long enough. I knew there was an undercurrent.
"Ajax-Pickering is more of a 416 riding than a 905 riding. The faith
funding was an issue right at the beginning. (The campaign) didn’t turn,
in my mind, to the big issues," he said.
"I’m comfortable with our campaign. I have no regrets," Mr. Ashe added.
As for his future, Mr. Ashe said he has a long history of involvement.
"I was first elected when I was 23. The Ashe name has been around for 40
years in Pickering."
He admitted to "huge disappointments twice in one year. You never say
never. Tomorrow is another day."
Mr. Ashe was defeated last year when he sought re-election as a Pickering
councilor in the municipal races.
"This is really about a Liberal trend. Joe Dickson is an honourable man,
a family man. We tried to stick to issues that were important to people,
like gridlock, health care, education and crime," he stated.
For Mr. Dickson, it was his second attempt at provincial office, having
run unsuccessfully for the Liberals in the 1995 election.
As for what’s next, he stated, "It’s all so new to me, I’m not sure.
I’m guessing it will be fairly swift. I’ll wait until I hear from the premier’s
office what the next steps are."
In his victory speech, Mr. Dickson said, "It doesn’t matter to me if
you’re a business person who wants to open a business or a man who is penniless.
We’re here and I’m here to help them, regardless."
He also spoke about the importance of his parents, who "focused on God
and family."
The eldest of 10 children, Mr. Dickson talked of his mother, saying,
"This is for you." He praised his wife Donna, children Jim and Joanna, their
spouses and children.
"He's
Mr. Ajax through and through..."
Joe Dickson overtook all other candidates
in the
Ajax-Pickering MPP race
Joe Dickson's Family
Front Row (Left to Right)
- Joanna & Carys, madeline, Elaine and Gracie
Back Row (Left
to Right) - David, Joe, Donna with baby Audrey, and Jim
 |
| |
For almost 50 years, Joe Dickson has been
a tireless worker for numerous charities. Starting as a teenager,
he has responded to the needs of seniors, to Ajax youth and to his peers.
Dickson’s record speaks volumes: He has worked to help finance
hospital expansions, four arenas, community centres, senior centres, sports
fields and phase one of the Ajax Sportsplex grounds. Through his active
volunteering with local service clubs, Dickson helped provide major funds
for a number of worthwhile causes.
In 2009, Ajax business
owner Joe Dickson sponsors 22 sports teams for youth, men and women, goes
to bat for the environment, the arts, health associations and Rouge Valley's
Ajax-Pickering Hospital. Meanwhile, Dickson has been a tremendous
advocate of good old-fashioned community fun.
A community is
judged on how it treats its less fortunate. There is no room for bragging
if old people are lonely and cannot be properly housed, if children go to
bed hungry and if the jobless are forced to go to larger cities to sleep
on the street.
"Ajax and Pickering have always cared," said
Dickson. "This town has always responded to the call for help.
When one of our own is in need, Ajax cares. "I never mind taking the
initiative to help someone when I do it in Ajax and North Pickering.
I know Ajax and Pickering will rally."
Dickson more than anyone
knows Ajax inside out and backwards. He knows the makeup of the town;
he knows Ajax’s needs; he knows its minor limitations and above all, Dickson
knows its people. In particular, Dickson shares Ajax’s dreams.
Knowing Pickering Village, where his mother was raised, and the now City
of Pickering, where Joe's family of Hickey's and Teefy's resided, Joe knows
both Ajax and Pickering.
Ontario Helping In Auto and Manufacturing
Industries
Joe shares his priorities
with you.
|
Priority 1 |
Maintaining jobs and our industrial base here in
Durham.
Jobs in auto plants and auto parts manufacturing have
to be supported by U.S. and labour.
There are untold spinoff
jobs in our community.
Economy of this area would be devastated
by the collapse of G.M., or any more significant manufacturing.
|
Priority 2 |
Ensure that local federal and
provincial members work together to assist in keeping our jobs here.
All levels of government must cooperate as we have for the economic
and social wellbeing of Ajax and Pickering.
|
Priority 3 |
Continue to make
sure that our money does not disappear into shareholders or executive
pockets. Loans must be used in our area to benefit our fellow
workers, families and community. It must be part of a restructuring
program to insure that producing cars and auto parts have a long
term viability.
|
Priority 4 |
We have to continue increasing
federal and provincial monies for Durham College and U.O.I.T. for
training and retraining so that we can widen our local employment
base with new technology skills.
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