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Morrow wants to focus on philanthropy, not allegations

Oct 19, 2016 | 2:00 PM

Mayoral candidate Josh Morrow said he wants people to concentrate on the positive work done by his campaign instead of the latest accusations.

“There’s been a lot of completely false allegations that have come out in the last while,” Morrow said.

Most recently Morrow’s campaign has faced criticism for offering rides to voters hoping to participate in advance polls. Online detractors claimed these actions violate election code; an allegation Morrow, along with his legal counsel, dismisses.

Morrow’s campaign advertised free rides to the city’s advance polls through their Facebook page last week. An Oct. 12 post by Morrow reads, “Advance polls open today at 5 p.m.! Call if you need a ride!” Morrow also shared an image bearing the advance poll times and encouraged residents to call his campaign office for a lift to the polls.

Online detractors claimed this constitutes bribery under The Controverted Municipal Elections Act.

The section in question reads, “The following persons shall be deemed guilty of bribery and shall be punishable accordingly: Every person who hires horses, teams, carriages or other vehicles for the purpose of conveying voters to or from the polls, and every person who receives pay for the use of any horses, teams, carriages or other vehicles for the purpose of conveying voters to and from a poll.”

“Never once have I paid one person for any kind of transportation,” Morrow told paNOW.

Morrow said he had not driven anyone to the polls personally, and his campaign would rely on volunteers to drive anyone who requested a ride to the polls. Despite online allegations, Morrow said he has not hired limousine services to transport voters, and laughed at the suggestion.

His offer of rides, Morrow said, was simply an effort to increase voter turnout, “whether they want to vote for me or anyone else.”

P.A. Returning Officer Sherry Person would not speculate whether offering rides to voters constituted a violation of the elections act in itself, and advised residents to take up the matter with the courts instead of her office.

The fact he is still running despite the numerous allegations against his campaign and person, Morrow said, indicate how passionate he is about improving P.A.

“I don’t know another single person that would work this hard and put up with the half-truths, lies and personal attacks if they didn’t truly care about the direction of this city,” Morrow said, adding the positive work done by his campaign is too often overlooked.

Morrow said he has funded his mayoral bid personally, and though he does not solicit for donations he is often approached by potential donors. As a result, Morrow said his campaign channels any donations towards community projects.

“In a time of need, we stepped up to the plate and we raised just under $2,000 for the food bank,” said Morrow.

“I disagree when anybody accuses me of buying a campaign or buying an election because it’s completely false,” Morrow said. “The important part, that I want the citizens of this city to see, is that I’m laying my heart and soul on the line for change, and making this city a better place.”

“The accusations that people are making and the comments that are coming out,” Morrow said, “that’s just a sign of desperation.”

 

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

@TMacPhersonNews