A partnership opportunity that can't be missed

Post-secondary education is one of London’s greatest strengths. Western University and Fanshawe College are major employers in our city and students contribute millions more to the local economy through spending on rent, food, entertainment, and all the other necessities of life. In many ways, we tend to undervalue the part they play now and could play in the future. I believe there are three ways we can strengthen the partnership with Western and Fanshawe to make London better for everyone.

First, I have already discussed in Metro News London how the city could be looking to local experts at our post-secondary schools to carry out research and find innovative solutions to city issues. Occasionally when the city needs to test the feasibility of an idea, or wants to know what other cities are doing on the same issue, it relies on expensive outside consultants to produce a report. One example is the London’s Transportation Master Plan, produced by a Toronto consultant group.

Sometimes we do need expertise beyond what’s available on city staff. Why not partner with our world-class university and college to do this kind of work where possible? We can invite students and researchers to focus on practical ideas and solutions for our city. Imagine the top minds living in our city investigating how we can improve industry, environment, and citizen engagement in London, and how city government can make a difference in those areas.

Secondly, I recently blogged about the need to foster entrepreneurship in our city as a way to boost economic growth. I mentioned the roles the that local agencies have to play in this area, and Western and Fanshawe are key pieces of the puzzle. We can look at the kind of talent our schools are producing and gear short-term subsidies to start-up businesses in those fields.

We need to make it easier to start and maintain a small business in London for everybody, not just grads; however, this is one way to keep some of our top talent at home. I've seen this kind of approach do great things in Waterloo Region, where I lived as a student at the University of Waterloo. The area has a thriving tech sector because of talent produced at its universities.

Recently, the province announced funding for Campus-Linked Accelerators, to build on innovation and entrepreneurial programs at Southwestern Ontario's colleges and universities. This includes Western's Entrepreneurship, Engagement, Economic Development (E3), which will act as “a hub for educational, community, and private-sector partners and the foundation for nurturing a vibrant on-campus ecosystem of entrepreneurship”. It’s great news, so we must ensure that the city is at the table to build strong links between Western innovation and entrepreneurship and the rest of our city.

The third way London can do a better job of collaborating with our schools has to do with integrating them into city life. We need to treat students as fellow Londoners and help them to see themselves that way.

Recently, two of my opponents called for Western’s Homecoming celebrations to be cancelled. While I absolutely sympathize with the frustrations of Broughdale residents, this is the wrong approach. Rather than shutting down the celebration, I’d like to see the city get involved in planning it, and not just in terms of law enforcement. 

What if Homecoming took over Victoria Park for the weekend, or a few blocks of commercial area were closed to traffic for the celebration? Alcohol consumption could be contained and monitored. It would also encourage more long-term Londoners to come out and join the celebration, and bring their positive influence. It would mean be a boost for nearby businesses too. If we look at Homecoming like another city festival, we can plan the kind of celebration everyone will be proud of.

Helping Fanshawe bring more students downtown, to study in the Kingsmill’s building, is also a step in the right direction when it comes to integrating them into city life. These students will be working and learning where so many other Londoners also work. More interaction will lead to better relationships.

Western and Fanshawe are huge advantages to have in London. Let's start treating students like fellow citizens with something to contribute rather than just a problem to be managed.

Strengthening our economic backbone

As I have met Ward 6 residents at their doors over the past many months, one of the most frequent concerns I have heard is about the job situation in London. 

People are concern on their own behalf, on their children’s behalf, or just on their city’s behalf.  We have seen large employers like Kellogg’s and Electro-Motive shut down with nothing replacing these good-paying careers.

It becomes easy to feel disheartened; however, tremendous opportunity also exists. Small business drives economic growth and is the backbone of the economy nationwide, making up 98% of all businesses in Canada. By supporting existing small businesses and guiding start-ups toward success, we can help people find satisfying employment doing what they love.

I’d like to tell you my own story.

After working for a manufacturer of solar energy equipment for three years, I was laid off in a round of downsizing in 2009. Like so many other Londoners, I wasn't sure where to begin. The news was full of bleak economic stories about how jobs were hard to come by. There was very little work to be found in our Forest City at the time, and I had to apply for employment insurance.

At the same time, I didn't want to let the knowledge I had gained about solar energy go to waste. After a couple months of soul-searching, and with support from London’s Small Business Centre, I started my business. SunTap Technologies installs solar energy systems, like the ones my former employer manufactured. In the five years since I started the company, I've had the opportunity to employ several local people, mentor five co-op students, and purchase goods and services from other local businesses.

I was able to make a fulfilling career for myself, but I couldn't have done it without help. The Small Business Centre program was a great start, but we need to do more to foster entrepreneurship in London.

I’d like to see the London Economic Development Corporation focus more on business start-ups to create local ventures that employ local people. We also need organizations like the LEDC and the Small Business Centre to work more closely together to encourage entrepreneurship and see start-ups become fulfilling job-creating operations.

I’d also like to see the city offer entrepreneurs short-term subsidies to help new local businesses, such as offering low-rent office or retail space to soften the impact on start-up costs. The business would agree to pay full rent after a certain period of time or when they reach a certain level of income.

We also need to ensure an adequate number of affordable daycare spaces are available so that parents can properly manage their work life, whether that’s starting a business or looking for employment.

Much of the money a small business earns is spent locally. That means that when we support an existing or start-up local business, the benefits don't stop there:  local ventures spend money at other local ventures. People with jobs spend money in the local economy. All this helps make our city more prosperous and a desirable place to live, work, play, and stay.

Of course, there is a plethora of initiatives London can implement to support jobs and economic growth – I’ve proposed a few of them in my platform – but supporting entrepreneurship is an important first step. Let’s help people build fulfilling careers for themselves, and support our city at the same time.

Making city data more accessible to the public

In Metro News on Friday, there was a story about open data at London City Hall, and how much access residents have to information about city services and initiatives. 

Ward 7 council candidate Josh Morgan and I are proposing a way to make that data more available to you. It’s a Web site called a "citizen dashboard", and it is already being used successfully in Edmonton. 

Here’s why I think the citizen dashboard is right for London:  if you want to know how many road construction projects are on schedule, what the snow-plow routes are, or how many people were left behind at bus stops last month, where would you get that information? Right now it’s difficult to find, and is likely not included in the city's collection of open data.

A citizen dashboard would display city data, and metrics are displayed in a way that is attractive and easy to understand. For example, the Edmonton dashboard displays the city’s vehicle collision rate, community centre attendance, and waste-diversion rate, as well as the city’s credit rating and debt. Knowing whether London is on track to meet its goals in these areas will help residents keep their government accountable. 

Most importantly, Londoners get to see how effectively public money is being spent, making sure we get what we pay for. It’s one of the ways I plan to promote integrity and accountability during my time on city council. 

I’d love to know what city data you’d like the dashboard to track. Is it the unemployment rate, the service level in city offices, or maybe the condition of our infrastructure? Comment below or send me an e-mail with your thoughts. Let’s make information about our city more accessible to all of us.

My platform for a better London

The ideas a potential councillor proposes and the values he or she represents will be the most important information for citizens as they cast their ballots this Fall. To make sure my ideas and values are clear, I posted my platform at Bloxam.ca/platform.

Since the Spring, I have been visiting Ward 6 residents at their homes to introduce myself. I've also been listening to them about what is important to them in their neighbourhoods and for the city of London as a whole. I’ve also attended community meetings and events, and met with many of the decision makers in the area. All of this has helped me to refine and focus the priorities I already had when I entered the race to be the next councillor for Ward 6.

I chose to organize my platform based on three key themes that I believe Londoners are looking for from their next council – Integrity, Prosperity, and Sustainability. Of course, there’s a lot more to the platform than just a few key words. I’ll expand on some of the individual ideas here on this blog over the next few weeks. For now, let me tell you a bit about what I mean by each of these words. 

Integrity 

If there's one thing I've heard above all else when speaking with Londoners, it's that the citizens of our city have lost faith in their elected officials.  I promise to be open, accountable, and accessible to my constituents.  I will work with my council colleagues to come to a consensus when making decisions, instead of continuing the "us vs. them" mentality of the past.

Prosperity

Our city has had a tough time during the recent economic downturn.  We need to get more folks into fulfilling careers and encourage business growth in London.  There is no easy answer and there are many pieces to the puzzle, but working together we can achieve our goals to make London a place to live, work, play, and stay.

Sustainability 

Sustainability means ensuring that decisions take into account economy, community, and environment without placing higher priority for one over the others. It also means ensuring that the prosperity we build together lasts over the long term. In my business career and volunteer commitments, I have always striven to make sustainable decisions. This is a practice that I will continue as your councillor.


I hope you’ll take some time to read through the platform on my Web site, and to get in touch with any questions and comments, good or bad. One of the things integrity means is that I keep listening, even if I think I have the answer.

Please also continue to visit the blog as I expand on some of these points and talk about what the next council’s job will be when it comes to making them a reality.

City Council made the right decision on Fanshawe

Earlier today, I submitted a letter to the editor at The London Free Press and London Community News regarding the decision on Tuesday, September 2nd made by our city council to support partial funding for Fanshawe College's expansion into the former Kingsmills building downtown.  I'd like to hear your thoughts on this decision as well!

Congratulations to the current City Council on their decision to invest in London’s core and the future of our city. While there are several steps still left, Tuesday’s vote to approve funds that will help bring Fanshawe College to the Kingsmill’s building is an important one. 

Over the past several months, I have spoken with many Ward 6 residents at their doors. In the past few weeks, this topic has come up more than any other. Some asked for news of the vote when I knocked on their doors Tuesday evening. 

Overwhelmingly, the residents I’ve spoken to see this investment as one that will support a healthy downtown core, and with it, a healthy city. 

The people of Ward 6 know better than almost any others in London about the contribution our post-secondary schools make to the city. Many work, teach, or study at Western University, or work at businesses that serve Western students. 

Growth at Fanshawe College is good news, and the eight councillors who supported it are right to do so. As part of the next council, I plan to increase collaboration with Western and Fanshawe and continue supporting our core. 

Mike Bloxam

Candidate for Ward 6

Soaking my head for ALS awareness

Thanks to my friend Dave Mitchell for nominating me for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! Who knew it could get so chilly at the Gibbons Park splash pad?

I’ve nominated current Ward 6 councillor Nancy Branscombe and London Food Bank co-directors Glen Pearson and Jane Roy to take the next chilly plunge. I really hope they take up the challenge and show London the fun side of being a community leader.  Watch the video of my dunking here:

As silly as these videos can get, it’s important to remember what this is all about – a disease that affects thousands of lives each year. Here are some quick facts:

• Amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also known as motor neurone disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• It is a neurodegenerative disease with various causes. It is characterised by muscle spasms, muscle atrophy, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. 
• The disease affects over 30,000 in North America
• Famous patients include baseball legend Lou Gehrig, guitarist Jason Becker, and physicist Stephen Hawking
• Donations support ALS research can be made at www.als.ca or www.alsa.org

Please support this worthy cause!

Happiness in every step

With spring well underway (finally!), folks will start getting more active outdoors with the fair weather.  Most people don't realize that physical activity, even something as simple as walking, not only helps keep a healthy body but also strengthens the mind.  As the old adage goes, if you don't have your health, you don't have much — this goes for both physical and mental.

Our society's affection with the sedentary lifestyle appears to intensify with each passing year:  just think about how many screens most families have in their homes (and no exception for yours truly) — between computer monitors, televisions, mobile phones, and tablets — and one sees more opportunity to sit and stare at moving pictures instead of interacting with the surrounding "real world".  While productivity and entertainment delivered via screens certainly has its place to satisfy our brain's desires, we all need to remember that our bodies also deserve proper interaction.

According to Ravi Gupta, a Londoner who established the fundraiser called Hike for Happiness, "Physical exercise, like walking, is one of the most important aspects of mental-health treatment. Londoners are lucky to have access to over a 100 kilometres of hiking trails and walking paths through parks, woods, and along rivers. Hiking and walking can truly contribute to one’s happiness and wellness."

Mr. Gupta hopes to see Hike for Happiness achieve the following:

1. Raise money for mental-health patients to enable those with limited financial means to be able to continue treatment.
2. Encourage more people to show their support for family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers with mental illnesses. 
3. Encourage more business to support their employees with mental illnesses. 

The first Hike for Happiness takes place on Saturday, June 7, 2014, with two hikes starting at 9:00 AM.  Participate in a one-hour walk or a two-hour hike, with both taking place at the Medway Valley Trail.

If you like to walk, or want to see spring burst forth in the Medway Valley, register for this event and help a worthwhile cause at the same time.

To learn more, check out these links:

• Web site: hikeforhappiness.ca
• Facebook: facebook.com/HikeForHappiness
• Twitter: twitter.com/HikeForHappines

Ward 6 candidate Mike Bloxam exceeds fundraising target

As of today, the first campaign fundraising milestone of $2000 was raised a week before the deadline.  Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Ward 6 candidate Mike Bloxam exceeds fundraising target

London business owner Mike Bloxam, the frontrunner in the race for the Ward 6 council seat, has established his early start by raising more than the campaign’s $2000 fundraising target well ahead of its March 31 deadline. 

Bloxam thanked supporters on Tuesday for helping him surpass the goal before his campaign officially kicks off with a launch party this weekend.

“I want to express sincere thanks to all those who have supported me so far. I greatly appreciate the encouragement and advice I've received already, and look forward to the campaign ahead.”

In addition, he will gather with supporters at 2:00 this Sunday, March 30 at the Alibi Roadhouse to officially start the campaign. More than 50 people are registered to attend, and the event is open with   registration required via the campaign Web site at www.bloxam.ca. Bloxam plans to step up canvassing efforts following Sunday’s event to listen to more of Ward 6 residents’ vision for our city.

“I'm running because I believe strongly that living in a community means giving back: it is a belief and practice that I will continue through civic duty. I plan to share that belief with Ward 6 residents, and to speak with them about the things they value in our shared community.”

In the meantime, he has set a new campaign fundraising target of $5000 by May 31.

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Mike Bloxam is running to be your next councillor for Ward 6 in London, Ontario. He aspires for a better London that is an ideal place to live, work, play, and stay.

Campaign hotline: 519-518-2273 | E-mail: mike@bloxam.ca | Web site: www.bloxam.ca | Twitter: @Mike_Bloxam

Throwing the hat in the ring

This afternoon, I declared officially my candidacy in the Ward 6 council race.  You can read the press release below, and please share it widely!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Mike Bloxam declares candidacy in Ward 6 council race

Business owner and active community volunteer, Mike Bloxam, declared his candidacy for London’s Ward 6 council seat on Tuesday.

Already familiar with City Hall by serving on council’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Bloxam feels he has more to contribute. He is passionate about London, his hometown, and believes strongly that living in a community means giving back – a belief and practice that he will continue through civic duty.

Bloxam wants to see community-focused urban planning and will apply his own experience to the office.

“My vision is a sustainable London where people want to live, work, play, and stay,” Bloxam said. “Striking the right balance between economics, community life, and the environment is critical to a successful city. My experience as a business owner and volunteer in London has helped me find that balance, showing me first-hand it is absolutely achievable.”

Bloxam owns and operates SunTap Technologies, a company specializing in renewable energy. Launching and sustaining a small business has given him crucial skills to represent Ward 6 on council. Mentoring co-op students through his local company has helped to convince Bloxam of the need to create opportunities for young people in our city.

“Instead of always looking outside our city for business investment, we need to encourage home-grown small businesses – not only to survive, but to thrive. These local companies will create jobs here and help London prosper,” he explained. “Mentoring and financial support are two ways to keep our highly-educated graduates in London.  We can foster their sense of entrepreneurship by giving them what they need.”

Serving for 15 years as a volunteer at the London Food Bank, where demand continues to rise, also strengthened his resolve to seek a council seat. He donates his time to various other community organizations, such as ReForest London and All-Breed Canine Rescue. Given the level of need in our city, Bloxam feels he can have even more impact, and improve quality of life for Londoners, as part of a more focused council.

“London can be better because council can do better,” Bloxam said. “My commitment to represent the citizens and businesses of Ward 6 is to ensure that all views have the chance to be heard. I will listen to Londoners' ideas and issues – as I have in my career and community life – to help me make the right decisions for Ward 6 and our city as a whole.”   

Bloxam will celebrate his candidacy with a launch party in March, to be announced at bloxam.ca.

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Mike Bloxam is running to be your next councillor for Ward 6 in London, Ontario. He aspires for a better London that is an ideal place to live, work, play, and stay.

Campaign hotline: 519-518-2273 | E-mail: mike@bloxam.ca | Web site: www.bloxam.ca | Twitter: @Mike_Bloxam

Changing how London moves

In a couple of months, a significant change to the way Londoners get around the city will arrive.  While the first choice for people to move from point A to point B should be "active" transportation (walking, cycling, etc.), followed closely by public transit (the city bus in London's case), most elect to hop into their personal vehicle and drive to their destination.  Starting in April, drivers will have a new option when it comes to automobiles:  Community CarShare has announced they will open in London.  (Read their announcement)

Haven't heard of Community CarShare?  Ontario's first non-profit co-operative car-share service started in Kitchener-Waterloo in 1998, and essentially enhances the traditional car rental with the flexibility of using (and therefore paying for) the use of a vehicle only when you need it.

At the December meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE), we received a presentation from one of the co-op's representatives.  He told us that a car-share vehicle removes 5 to 15 cars from the road.  This means less traffic congestion and lower pollution levels as a city adopts the concept.  In addition, he informed us that the average car-share member drives 50% less with a shared vehicle versus owning one (they will choose to walk or take other transportation for close trips), translating into more exercise and improved health.

Many families will debate how "big" they should go:  purchasing the "largest" vehicle possible to suit all needs means having to take a mini-van or SUV everywhere, while its main purpose in size serves to deliver children to their activities (such as hockey, with all the equipment that needs transporting along with the player!), yet proves overkill for most other tasks.  A car-share program allows a family to choose the best vehicle to fit the needs of the day:  perhaps a sedan for groceries on Tuesday, a mini-van to transport to the arena or the performance venue on the weekends, or an extended-cab pick-up truck to move furniture for the university-bound student twice a year.

The average annual cost of owning and operating a vehicle in Ontario sits at about $10 500, while the average CarShare member will spend $1200 per year, including gasoline, insurance, and other incidentals.  Instead of purchasing that "second vehicle" that rarely gets used or exceeds the majority of a family's needs, a household can spend a tenth of the yearly costs for the same service and convenience with a shared vehicle.

The Community CarShare representative informed those of us at ACE that they only ask from the City of London a $150 000 line of credit for the next five to ten years (as a fallback: there is no plan to use the money unless necessary), and some subsidized or in-kind public parking spots.

Think your neighbourhood could use a shared vehicle?  Get in contact and flood them with requests:  you will put your street on their radar and may get your very own community-owned vehicle.