Tom Dingwall

Stay up to date on how we're growing Clarington! Join us today for the Planning and Development Committee Meeting starting at 5 p.m.

📍 Attend in person: Town Hall, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville
💻 Watch live online: www.clarington.net/Calendar ⬅️

Regional council voted today to increase property taxes. Our Clarington representatives could have changed the outcome of the vote thus reducing the impact on taxpayers to 3%. Not only did they not vote in favour of lowering the burden, not a single suggestion on how to save money within the budget was brought forward by our elected representatives from Clarington. Mayor Foster, Willie Woo, and Granville Anderson appear to be filling chairs but not fulfilling their roles. It’s time for a change.

I don’t complain about paying taxes. I do complain about wasting tax dollars. When poor decisions lead to burdening people with increased taxes to cover ridiculous spending it highlights the need for change. We have all heard about the million dollar revolving door. I went through it and have to say I was left wanting. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but for the cost I hoped for something special like a wonderland thrill ride. Big disappointment!

This January Regional Council voted to spend 3 million dollars to study the viability of elevated gondolas on Simcoe St in Oshawa. A proposal that if approved would cost an estimated 1 billion dollars and cost the region millions of dollars yearly to operate and maintain. Personally when I heard this I laughed thinking this is fake news as no one could possibly think this was a serious proposal. Wrong!

Waste one million on a door and 3 million to study a ridiculous proposal while homeless sleep under bridges, seniors struggle to afford there homes and everyone struggles with mounting expenses. We need people who take their responsibilities seriously representing us at the region and on local council.

*Vote on 3 million study- Foster absent, W***y Woo voted yes.
*Vote to reduce regional tax rate from 6.04% to 3%- Foster absent, W***y Woo voted against reducing.
*Vote to increase regional tax rate from proposed 3% to 4.8%- Foster seconded, W***y Woo voted in favour of increase.

Politicians seem to count on the electorate having short memories and low voter turnout. Decisions like these should demonstrate just how out of touch they are and how little effort they make to ensure your tax dollars aren’t wasted. Raise our taxes while wasting our money. I for one am tired of it.

Media release- Peterborough Police

Had a great time at the Premier’s dinner last night. It was nice to catch up with so many old friends.

Last night I watched Clarington Council speak about Elect Respect and calling out harassing behaviour. All while Councillor Traill continued to sit as an elected representative.

All councillors spoke out in support of the Mayor whose wife received online comments that she found unacceptable. Not threats of death or sexual assault but harassing in nature. The mayor did not produce any evidence of the harassment, nor was he asked to.

I don’t recall a single councillor publicly speaking out against what their colleague did to me or my wife. I dont recall reading even a generic statement that if true that behaviour is totally unacceptable. Other than the mayors statement that is. If they did please direct me to it. If councillors, the mayor, or his wife are the target it’s unacceptable and must be called out. If it’s a colleague committing the offence remain silent and wait for charges. The hypocrisy is astounding. Threats of any kind are unacceptable. Do not remain silent. Demand better of our elected representatives.

I do not have an update from Peterborough police. The investigation is ongoing. Hopefully there will be a resolution soon.

Elect Respect shouldn’t be a slogan.

I was pleased to attend the Marigold Hospice Hike and Bike event this morning. Excellent turnout for a great cause. Had the opportunity to tour the new facility and i must say, beautifully done. Congratulations to everyone who volunteered and dedicated so much time and energy to support an important resource for our community. Great to see you again Marian Timmermans.

Update - For Immediate Release
Response to Statement from Councilor Traill

I am truly saddened by the response from Miss Traill today for the following reasons:

1. On September 4, 2025, Miss Traill left me a voicemail apology expressing her regret and providing an explanation as to the issues she has been dealing with leading up to the voicemail. Because of these personal details and her expressing remorse, I chose to not put the information into the public forum. The police have this message.

2. When I didn't answer her call, she left me a detailed text message expressing similar details regarding her struggles and her remorse. Again, very personal information that I did not make public. The police have this message.

3. She has also contacted other individuals admitting to the same issues and her regret for leaving the message. It is now abundantly clear that her apology was hollow and meaningless. She has now backed away from taking responsibility and is intentionally misleading everyone.

3. She has said that the message has been confirmed to be AI. By who? She does not have a copy of the recording and has never heard it. No analysis could be made as my phone, that received the message, had not been downloaded or forensically analyzed until today.

4. How can she say "portions of the voicemail were my voice, but other parts were artificially generated"? She has never possessed or heard the recording!

5. She says "I have not addressed this issue until now as we were working to ascertain the source of the message". How exactly? You don't have the recording and you have never had access to my phone.

6. If it was AI, anyone else would have come out right away and screamed this was AI, it wasn't me, please investigate. That didn't happen because its not true.

If you were her friend before this incident, please continue to be a friend. She could probably really use one right now. Its disgusting how quickly fair weather friends have run away to protect their own political aspirations. Be a true friend and support her through what ever she is dealing with.

The one thing she has gotten correct is that Peterborough Police are investigating. They now have the ability to forensically analyze the messages. I should be angry about her post as it is a clear attempt to mislead the public and garner support, but I'm not. I am extremely disappointed. She appeared to be taking responsibility and I was hopeful she would continue down that path. The focus should not be on her political future, it should be on addressing the root cause of this behavior. The truth will certainly come out and her post will unfortunately be one more thing to apologize for.

I do not presently have my phone so I will be unable to respond to any messages.

Don’t miss out. Drop by and enjoy the fair.