WOW Magazine and a couple history tidbits

A look at Flying Squirrel, Francis Hincks and a voting strategy 

By Mark Schadenberg

According to my Oxford Paperback Dictionary, the word ‘Wow’ is noted to mean ‘and exclamation of astonishment or admiration.’

In the Woodstock marketing and communications office, WOW is the acronym for What’s On Woodstock – a magazine published by the City Of Woodstock for several years.

Hopefully in the near future WOW will return to its previous format of arriving in your mailbox at least 10 times per calendar as I would think July and August can be combined and so could January and February. Wow!

With the retirement of Brad Janssen a few months ago, the communications department is now headed by Colleen Collins (ccollins@cityofwoodstock.ca). She has about 20 years experience and knowledge in similar roles, is an exceptional writer, very good personal communicator, and understands that in her job description she can set the tone for educating citizens on events and all matters (council agendas, etc) within our Friendly City.

WOW team members for writing and production include the Flying Squirrel’s Andrew Norris, and former Sentinel-Review writer Geoff Dale. Obviously, just about every department contributes content to the publication, and staffers like Spencer Holman depict their skills in graphics and poster creation.  

Meanwhile, the special events role is a hat now worn by Kristen Brodhagen for happenings ranging from two parades, Victoria Day weekend, Art In The Park, Canada Day, Cowapolooza, Remembrance Day, the Easter Egg hunt, and many appreciation dinners / promotions such as City Beautiful Awards, sports wall of fame inductions, and recognizing committee volunteers.

The October edition of WOW includes a thorough breakdown on the municipal elections of Oct. 24 as there is explanations on positions to be voted on, who is eligible to vote, what type of identification is required at a polling station, and maybe the most important part are the pages separating and differentiating the divisions between City and County responsibilities. Woodstock is obviously unique in that the mayor sits on both city and county council, but so does two representatives (Councillors) seeking the dual role.

Council also includes 4 City-only candidates, and that’s where you will discover my name when you colour in a circle on your ballot.

Since you can vote for up to 4 candidates in the City-only race from a list of 13, the best strategy is to select / choose only the names you really want elected, so that could be 1, 2, 3 or 4 people. My advice, is that if you are unsure on a 4^th name, do not simply add a 4^th name because that vote will be equally weighted against your top choice. 

In the city-county list there are 4 names and you can vote for 1 or 2. No advice here as all 4 candidates are quite different, but I firmly believe anyone with this double duty should vote in Woodstock’s direction first as the City has just 3 of 10 votes, but more than 40% of the population.

A quick Canadian history lesson would indicate that Woodstock / Oxford MP Francis Hincks (There is a plaque dedicated in courthouse square on Hunter Street, and he has a street named after him) was prominent in the ‘rep by pop’ debates in the mid-1800s (before Confederation of 1867) as Canada West (Ontario) had a higher population than Canada East (Quebec), but – however -- should the representation be equal to assist in nation building or should it be ‘rep by pop’. It’s a good history course on its own.  

WOW

Back to the What’s On Woodstock magazine, the October issue also includes a terrific biography on the late Bernadette Smith, who was the first female elected mayor of a city in Canada in 1952. In that era, city elections were actually held annually. The only other women to be mayors in Woodstock are Wendy Calder and Margaret Munnoch.

More WOW

If you seek tips on environment issues, the Woodstock Environment Advisory Committee (WEAC) has a full-page layout of information.

Naturally, the current issue has details about programs at the library, art gallery and museum.   Did you know that renowned writer Gwynne Dyer will be in Woodstock for a lecture on Nov. 1 as sponsored by the public library? Also, the Haunted Manor Escape Room concept runs Fridays and Saturdays in October at the Woodstock National Historic Site Museum.

Finally, WOW has details on para-transit, bus fares, a local events calendar, fire safety ideas, swimming lessons, public skating times, and a Renew Downtown Woodstock update.

Advertising rates are also noted under the community events listing. WOW Magazine could be a great way to reach your target audience -- the great people of Woodstock. 

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