[fvc-wat-disc] Media Watch: Woolwich Observer and Elmira Independent

[Bob Jonkman]

This weekend there were three articles in two local newspapers on MMP:  The Woolwich Observer had a front-page article 
on the confusion that exists about the referendum amongst Woolwich Council members (even after the presentation from 
Angela Yenssen), as well as an opinion column by Steve Kannon on Page 4.  

The article states that Diane Allan from Referendum Ontario spoke to Council, and the Council members were all 
concerned about the lack of available information on MMP issues.  The article concludes with some excellent information 
on the workings of MMP.

The Woolwich Observer article is currently on the Observer's Web site, available at 

  http://observer-2007-09-15.notlong.com/ 



The Observer also had an opinion column by Steve Kannon on page 4.  While Kannon seems fairly up-to-speed on MMP (he 
also wrote the article), his column relies on Peter Woolstencroft's opinions on MMP, declaring it "a cockeyed scheme."   
There's the usual old saw that pro-MMP people claim it boosts voter turnout, which he then refutes by quoting the same 
statistics Paul Nijjar has provided to us.  And Italy is used as an example of an  unstable, proportional government.  
Unfortunately, Kannon's opinion column is not available online.


The Elmira Independent Weekender also had an article on page 5 (not available online).  It merely quoted some 
Councillors, illustrating their confusion.  Most telling was from Councillor Ruby Weber: "Some ridings woud have two 
representatives? In 39 districts, there would be two representatives.  I can't understand 39 representatives without a 
riding."

It seems we still have a lot of work to do to correct existing confusion and misinformation. 

--Bob.

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