Today, Ismailimail highlights Ishrath Velshi running for Councillor, supplementing the four inspiring leaders from last week, seeking support from our readers to vote for these inspiring people and organization as they continue in their quest for excellence and making a difference.
Building on the Ismailimail exclusive series on Support & Vote for Inspiring Leadership, we introduce Ishrath Velshi, an accomplished Ismaili running for the Councillor position in Toronto’s City Council Ward 26, Don Valley West – this is the same neighbourhood as the newly inaugurated Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre, Toronto. Don Valley West is also an area that has several Jamat Khanas and a sizeable population of Ismailis.
We encourage everyone to support her election and present below her endorsements and profile.
The Toronto Star, Toronto’s largest and most popular newspaper has twice endorsed Ishrath Velshi in their editorials writing “we favour Ishrath Velshi , an exceedingly well-spoken candidate with a strong social conscience and years of behind-the-scenes experience at city hall and Queen’s Park.”
In a recent full coverage editorial of Toronto’s city council, the Toronto Star presented its endorsements for Toronto city council in Wards 1 to 44, writing a compelling introduction on why Toronto needs city-builders, not more skinflints obsessed with rooting out bureaucratic ‘gravy.’
Through four years of chaos, conflict and embarrassment at Toronto city hall some councillors distinguished themselves in opposition to Mayor Rob Ford. His inexcusable excesses, service cuts and ill-judged policies aroused staunch resistance. Others were content to play a lesser role, while a small minority of councillors remained Ford supporters to the bitter end.
It’s vital to move forward from the tainted Ford era. Toronto needs thoughtful leaders and energetic city-builders, not shallow skinflints obsessed with finding bureaucratic “gravy.” With that in mind, here are our choices for Wards 1 to 44:
… Ward 26, Don Valley West: Two especially worthy challengers are striving to unseat John Parker (open John Parker’s policard) , a notably ineffective incumbent. Former police officer, entrepreneur and community volunteer Jon Burnside would be a sound choice. But we favour Ishrath Velshi , an exceedingly well-spoken candidate with a strong social conscience and years of behind-the-scenes experience at city hall and Queen’s Park.
It’s time to shake up Toronto city council by overthrowing some well-entrenched incumbents. Here are seven challengers who deserve support.
Several merit extra attention, especially where credible people have stepped forward to confront well-entrenched incumbents who don’t deserve to return.
We focus on seven particularly worthy challengers, each hoping to beat the odds by overturning an established council veteran. Their campaigns merit special recognition — and deserve voters’ support:
Ishrath Velshi, Ward 26, Don Valley West. She’s a well-spoken candidate with a strong social conscience and years of behind-the-scenes experience at both city hall and Queen’s Park. Her campaign slogan, “Everyone deserves a voice,” speaks to the way many residents here feel marginalized. Velshi understands the ward, having worked for its out-of-touch incumbent, John Parker before moving on. Now she’s out to unseat her old boss and residents would be better off if she did.
Ishrath Velshi, Ward 26, Don Valley West.
Her campaign slogan, “Everyone deserves a voice,” speaks to the way many residents here feel marginalized. Velshi understands the ward, having worked for its out-of-touch incumbent, John Parker (open John Parker’s policard), before moving on. Now she’s out to unseat her old boss and residents would be better off if she did. Also impressive is former police officer, entrepreneur and community volunteer Jon Burnside. He came close to beating Parker in 2010 and remains a sound alternative. But we favour Velshi.
About Ishrath Velshi
- “The VELSHI family’s history is a Canadian history. Ishrath is a typical Canadian with a diverse culture. Born in South Africa, she spent her early years in Kenya before immigrating to Canada in 1971.
- Her parents Mila and Murad Velshi (former MPP for the riding of Don Mills), her brother Ali Velshi (veteran journalist and anchor) and Ishrath settled in Toronto.
- Ishrath is a graduate of York University with an Honours degree in Mass Communications. Her experience and expertise touch on politics, the economy and civic, provincial and national governance.
- She served two former Cabinet Ministers at Queen’s Park and in recent years, has been working as the Executive Assistant to two Councillors at City Hall.
- She has been the main contact between constituents, community and ratepayer organizations and the private sector in addressing all the issues and concerns they had with our community in Don Valley West, Ward 26. She makes things happen and ensures we are all heard.
- Ishrath’s commitment to politics, social policy and constant and meaningful participation in voluntary service, her cosmopolitan background and in depth experience at City Hall defines what Don Valley West and Ward 26 need now in its next Councillor.
Learn more at the Source Via:
- Toronto Star | Editorial: The Star’s endorsements for Toronto city council
- Toronto Star | Editorial: Seven Toronto city council challengers worth supporting
- Ishrath Velshi
All related to Ishrath Velshi on Ismailimail
- Support & Vote for Inspiring Leadership | Ishrath Velshi for Councillor – Ward 26, Don Valley West
- The Star’s 2nd endorsement for Ishrath Velshi
- Toronto Star | Editorial: Seven Toronto city council challengers worth supporting: Ishrath Velshi
- Ishrath Velshi declares her candidacy for the City of Toronto Councillor
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Earlier & Related on Support & Vote for Inspiring Leadership:
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