Modeling Journey

Draft Frank Klees for PC Ontario Leader

John Tory put 40 years of his life into the conservative movement and acomplished many things. New individuals were reached out to. Our debt situation is much improved. Important warnings and solutions on the economy were given to Dalton McGuinty well in advance of this crisis. Unfortunately, following the by-election results; John Tory has announced his resignation as party leader. John resigned with class and throughout his time as leader proved himself to be a man of integrity. I believe he is an honest man and a good man. He will be missed and appreciated for his accomplishments and contributions in the party. I hope we have not seen the last of him.

Following the resignation of John Tory, a leadership race in the PC Party will now take place. Frank Klees is a candidate I believe should be in that contest. He has worked hard and represented the people of Newmarket-Aurora (my riding) well. He has cabinet and business experience. He has held many critic positions in a variety of portfolios. Frank is the current caucus chair of the official opposition, a former government whip and deputy house leader. He ran for leadership of the party last time against Jim Flaherty and John Tory.

Frank is a true conservative who is not afraid to take tough positions. He believes in the party's grassroots policy process and individual MPP activism. I believe he has what it takes to rebuild our party and hold the Dalton McGuinty Liberals accountable. I believe he would make a great Premier in 2011.

Media reports are suggesting Frank is considering the leadership of the PC Party. I know right now he is thinking it over with his family, friends and supporters. If you would like Frank Klees to run for PC Party leadership, please consider joining my facebook group below. I know there are currently other groups out there as well for Randy Hillier and Tim Hudak.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=59476980765&ref=mf

If you would like to know more about Frank Klees and where he stands on the issues, please visit his website at: www.frankklees.com

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

John Tory officially resigns as PC Ontario leader

John Tory will officially resign once the caucus selects an interim leader. A leadership race will take place and based on media reports it seems Tim Hudak is likely to enter the race. Christine Elliot, Frank Klees, Randy Hillier, Peter Shurman, Lisa MacLeod, Elizabeth Witmer, Laurie Scott and John Yakabuski have also been mentioned as potential candidates. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has already said he will not run for the leadership of the provincial party. Other Ontario federal MPs are possible but unlikely.

I think John Tory was a hardworker, honest and an overall good man. I think he had some strong credentials and had a lot to offer. I think he handled yesterday's defeat with class and integrity. I also feel bad for Laurie Scott who lost her spot as an MPP after a truly selfless act intended for the good for the party. I wish John all the best in his future.

A leadership process is now underway and I look forward to selecting a new leader and moving on from this situation. The economy is in peril and currently Dalton McGuinty is not facing much opposition. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to present a credible alternative to the Ontario Liberals in 2011. I look forward to getting on with that job.

Click here for the press conference video:

Thanks for reading...
-Darryl

John Tory has been defeated in Tory likely defeated in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

It is over.

John Tory has lost the by-election. The Liberals have gained Laurie Scott's seat. Details to come...

Update: Tory to announce his intentions tomorrow

Tory likely defeated in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

update: Tory down almost 1000 29/258 reporting...


John Tory in a close race


Tight race right now in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. Within 100 votes 130/258 reporting

http://www.elections.on.ca/en-CA/ElectionNightResults2009.htm

John Tory by-election in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock today

Today is a big day for the Ontario PC Party. After months of being outside the provincial legislature, it is widely expected that tonight PC leader John Tory will win the by-election in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and return to Queens Park to hold the McGuinty government to account. The by-election comes a day after Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan revealed plans to run an 18 billion dollar deficit for this fiscal year and next. It also comes after a successful policy convention held by the PC Party of Ontario in Niagara Falls. If you are from the riding, it is important that you get out and vote. Results could be closer than expected. For information on how or where to vote, please visit the Elections Ontario website by clicking here. I look forward to John returning to the legislature and I think the good people of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock will be will served by the leader of the official opposition as their MPP. The by-election was called following MPP Laurie Scott's decision to step aside for Tory. In the last provincial election, Laurie Scott won the riding by a 10,000 vote margin. I wish John Tory and his campaign team the best of luck in today's by-election!
-Darryl

www.johntory.ca

PC Ontario Policy Convention in Niagara Falls a Success

I am now back in Newmarket, and left Niagara Falls with a positive direction about the PC Party, John Tory and our chances of forming government in 2011.

When the weekend was said and done, one person who I was extremely impressed with was Laurie Scott. She got the loudest applause of the weekend and delivered a fantastic speech. Her selfless sacrifice, loyalty and determination to get John elected in the upcoming by-election was inspiring. At the same time it was disappointing to see such as great MPP and strong female voice in our party resign her seat. I really hope she gets back into the legislature in 2011 because I believe she has a bright future in our party and is exactly the type of MPP we need to move forward as a party. Laurie is a class act and deserved the standing ovation she received Saturday evening. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet her in Niagara Falls.

John Tory also delivered a very good speech that shows why he is going to be Premier in 2011. Economically, he has more credibility than Dalton McGuinty and has been proposing solutions and warning about this recession in Ontario for a very long time. While some may question his decision on faith based schools, some of his policy positions and the time it has taken to find a seat in the legislature; no one can question his tireless work ethic. His efforts in the by-election, with fundraising and debt repayment and in the amount of people he has taken the time to consult with cannot be challenged. I am looking forward to him getting back into the legislature and holding Premier McGuinty accountable at Queens Park. Those who have had the opportunity to meet John and his wife Barbara can vouch that both are genuine down to earth people. I am very happy that things are turning around positively for John and the PC Party of Ontario. While he has taken some hits within his own party, it is clear that the media is far more friendly to Tory than perhaps other Conservatives including Stephen Harper.

Speaking of Stephen Harper it was great to see him address the PC Ontario convention via video. Federal support throughout the weekend was impressive with several MPs hosting hospitality suites. Jason Kenney delivered a great speech on outreach to various cultural communities. Van Loan, Clement and the federal party’s Ontario MPs hosted hospitality suites. Jim Flaherty was in attendance as were several other cabinet ministers and Conservative MPs. Many of the people from Ontario who I saw in Winnipeg were also in Niagara Falls. I support a strong integration between the federal Conservative Party and our equivalent provincially.

I was also happy to see Jane Pitfield at the convention in Niagara Falls as well as other Conservative events over the past few years. Given the current leadership in Toronto, I would be very happy to support Jane in another run for mayor. I would also be happy if she instead decided to throw her hat in the ring for a provincial or federal seat in a Toronto riding. She would make a great MPP or MP. It is important to recruit strong candidates in the GTA to ensure representation in Ontario’s capital and Canada’s largest city. The media has so far underreported the type of gains being made in the 416 over the past three elections.

On a personal note, it was great to see such a large representation from the University of Windsor and the city of Windsor in general. I would love to see more ridings in that area elect more Conservatives such as Jeff Watson who has brought real results for that community.

The overall crowd on Saturday was around 1000. Media coverage was positive based on what I have seen in the papers. It is clear that the free ride for Dalton McGuinty is over.

It was also great to network in the hospitality suites. I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with bloggers Gerry Nicholls, Stephen Taylor and Andrew Prescott. York Region MPPs Frank Klees, Julia Munro and Peter Shurman had a great hospitality suite as did John Tory and Ken Zeise.

Overall I left the convention optimistic about the direction of the Ontario PC Party and our chances to form government in Ontario in 2011. I am looking forward to heading out to Lindsay to campaign for John Tory over the next few weekends leading up to the March 5 by-election. I expect to see some gains once Mr. Tory is back at Queens Park. The provincial budget on March 26 could be a key opportunity with John back in the legislature to challenge Premier McGuinty’s handling of the Ontario economy. I think our party is now united and ready to do the work required to prepare us for the 2011 election.

Off to Niagara Falls for the PC Ontario Convention

I will be taking my laptop and try and provide updates on what is going on at the convention in Niagara Falls this weekend. Various constitutional matters will be discussed along with policy. There will also be hospitality suites including one hosted by Frank Klees and another hosted by the federal Conservative Party Saturday night. I am hearing turnout will be around 750 people. The convention will take place in the middle of John Tory's by-election with voting taking place in Laurie Scott's former riding March 5.
-Darryl

John Tory nomination meeting tonight

I am assuming this nomination meeting is not going to be contested. Tonight John Tory should officially be nominated in the riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. The move comes after MPP Laurie Scott resigned her seat to get Tory back in the legislature. I wish John Tory the best of luck in the upcoming by-election. At this point Dalton McGuinty has not set a date for that by-election but promises to do so quickly.
-Darryl

Tory to be named in byelection nomination meeting

Photos from Toronto anti-coalition rally at Queens Park

Unfortunately the battery on my camera died, so credit goes to various friends on Facebook for these pictures I stole. It seems so far the media isn't covering our rally.

Overall a well attended rally. Several great speakers including new Canadians, veterans, John Tory, Frank Klees, Tim Hudak, Peter Kent, Rick Dykstra, and lots of young people. The crowd was fired up and angry over the proposed oppositon coup. The highlight was some of the creativity on the signs as well as the large amount of people who told me they actually voted Liberal but would never do so again. Overall it was a well attended rally, especially given that we didn't have any union drives to get our people out unlike those at Nathan Phillips Square. I am sure that Liberals will lose seats in Toronto following the next election. After this mistake, there is no longer such a thing as a safe Liberal seat in Canada.

Update: Toronto up until the last election was the last remaining stronghold for the Liberal Party. Still we drew a great crowd that was fired up and ready to fight for democracy. From pictures of the pro-coalition rally in the same picture I have seen in the media, it is clear that even in Toronto the government is winning the day. I think Toronto was successful, but I can't imagine the energy level at the rally in Calgary today. Check out the blog Right from Alberta for pictures of the Calgary event!
-Darryl

***

Video of Peter Kent talking about the coalition and Liberals who have approached the Conservative Party and thanked him for proroguing parliament

John Tory, Frank Klees and Ontario PC solid against federal coalition coup

There have been a lot of questions about how united Conservatives are behind Stephen Harper. I can tell you that in the face of this coup, the entire federal caucus, provincial PC caucus, volunteers and voters are standing firm against this opposition power grab. Conservative support is at an all time high, and internally the party has never been more united. I appreciate the support offered from Frank Klees and John Tory.
-Darryl


***

John Tory Scrum – Situation in Ottawa

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Question: What do you make of the going in Ottawa?

Tory: All I make of it is that the people want one thing. They want to see their elected representatives of all parties working together to fix the economy. That’s the only preoccupation the people Canada have. And so I think they will be all in favour of anything that will get people back to work fixing the economy, I don’t think most people understand constitutional niceties, I don’t think they care much about them. I think they want to see their elected representatives of all parties 24/7 fixing the economy. And anything that gets us there immediately, I think that people will be all in favour of it and so am I.

Question: even if it is a coalition?

Tory: Well no. Look I think the coalition, frankly if that’s what comes to pass, it’s going to achieve precisely the opposite. The coalition is going to achieve a period perhaps lengthy of instability, just starting with how we even get to these coalition people being asked to form a government if they are and I’m speculating on what may or may not happen. I think somehow the best thing that could happen is as I’ve said before we could almost rewind the tape and sort of say look can we get back to what people sent the parliamentarians there to do which was to fix the economy. I said the other day I’m a Conservative. I voted Conservative. People elected a government with 144 seats, just shy of a majority government, so clearly they spoke as to the kind of government they wanted and the kind of approach they wanted. I just think we should be getting on with finding a way to have these people work together to fix the economy and they should put their focus on that and nothing else. Not on politics and not on themselves.

Question asked in French, responded in English. Re: Bloc Quebecois

Tory: The Bloc Quebecois do not have the interests of a strong Canada as part of their mandate. In face their mandate is quite the opposite. Therefore if you’re looking to build a strong economy for Canada and Ontario as your top priority right now, which is certainly mine, then they don’t fit that bill. They are not people who are going to advance that agenda. My agenda, the agenda of our Party of Ontario is advancing, strengthening, rebuilding the Ontario economy and the Canadian economy. Job one, priority one, the only priority right now, and they don’t are not people who share that agenda.

***

KLEES: Coalition Coup a Threat to Local Economy

(Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees called on the three federal opposition leaders to reconsider their plans to bring down the recently elected federal government and wants the Premier to join the call for stability.

"At a time when plants are closing and job losses are mounting, the last thing we need is more uncertainty," said Klees. "The actions of Messers Dion, Layton and Duceppe are wrong-headed and self-serving and threaten to plunge our already fragile auto manufacturing sector into crisis."

In a letter to the Prime Minister and the three opposition party leaders, Klees stressed the need for immediate action by the federal government to prevent the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs. He pointed to the 850 jobs that will be lost as a result of the recently announced Magna plant closings in York Region and the threat of thousands of additional job losses if a meaningful action plan for the industry is delayed.

"My intention is not to defend the actions of the federal government that gave rise to the strong opposition mounted by the three opposition parties," said Klees. "In retrospect, neither the timing nor some of the content was well advised. And in response, the opposition parties made their point forcefully and effectively. That’s the role of opposition parties in our parliamentary system of government.”

But that's where it should have ended, according to Klees. After securing the government's retreat on the controversial proposals such as taking away the right to strike by the public sector, eliminating funding to political parties and agreeing to move the date of the federal budget to accelerate the timing of an economic action plan, the opposition parties should have claimed victory and moved on to work with the government to ensure the implementation of an economic recovery strategy rather than resort to what is playing out to be an historical coup d’etat.”

"Rather than being satisfied that they had effectively performed their opposition role, the triumvirate of Dion, Layton and Duceppe formed an unholy alliance to overthrow the government," said Klees. "In so doing, they are willing to destabilize our government, risk a loss of international confidence in our economy and sacrifice thousands of jobs by even further delaying the implementation of a meaningful federal economic action plan that would assist our auto sector."

"This is a time when every member of every parliament in the country should be working together to build confidence in our governments, our economy and our manufacturing industries. The last thing we need is to be thrown into another election or to be led by a coalition of three political parties, one of which has no loyalty to Canada, have no mandate to govern, have contradictory policies, and have self-appointed the man who would be the Prime Minister should this so-called Coalition have its way. This is not the Canada I know, and we all have a responsibility to stop this abuse of power and protect the integrity of our parliamentary system of government."

-30-

References:

Frank Klees, MPP

Update from John Tory Leader's Dinner

Last night was a good night for the PC Party. Despite troubled economic times, approximately 450 people paid $500 to attend a fundraising dinner at Le Parc in Thornhill for the PC fund. Stephen Harper sent his greetings as did Thornhill MP Peter Kent. Peter Shurman, Frank Klees and Julia Munro did a great job hosting the event as representitives for York Region. John Tory delievered a terrific speech that focused on the economy and Dalton McGuinty's record. Some of the facts were unbelievable. Ontario second last in projected economic growth and now a have not province. Public servents making over $100,000 has increased 27% under the Ontario Liberal government. Labour costs have increased 57% under McGuinty. Spending has increased 40% under this provincial government. Corporate taxes in Ontario remain the second highest in the world. 8 million wasted on another study into tourism as opposed to an ad campaign alerting our American friends about the low dollar and potential bargains on this side of the border. Government administration costs currently sit at 1.2 billion with room for at least a 10% cut by reducing travel, using government meeting rooms instead of booking hotels and discretionary budgets out of control. No strategy for small businesses, job creation or foreign investment. Deficits despite record transfer payments from the federal government. Tory was on his game and we saw a likely preview of what our message will be in 2011. I see a lot of Liberals cheerleading the recession and trying to put the blame on Stephen Harper for the international economic crisis. They should think twice as Mr. McGuinty is equally vulnerable under that argument.

MPP representation was very strong last night at the York Region dinner. Frank Klees, Julia Munro, Peter Shurman, Tim Hudak, Randy Hillier, Elizabeth Witmer, Lisa MacLeod, John O'Toole, Joyce Savoline, Sylvia Jones, Ted Arnott and Christine Elliot were all in attendence. Former Premier Bill Davis was also on hand. I suspect there were others that I missed as well. There were no updates on any potential seat location for Mr. Tory.

Overall I think the provincial Conservative party is on the right track. Last night's fundraiser was very successful considering the economic situation right now. In February we are set to have a policy convention in Niagara Falls. The Ontario PC Party has launched a new version of their website that I believe is cutting edge. Finally it seems we are starting to gain some traction in the legislature through question period. The next election is three years away.

Given the gains that took place federally around the GTA and throughout Ontario; I think there is strong potential to get back into government in 2011. My hope is that John Tory can secure a seat as soon as possible. Congratulations to everyone responsible for organizing the event last night.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

Off to the PC Fund Leader's Dinner

Tonight at Le Parc in Thornhill is the PC Fund Leader's Dinner. John Tory will be the guest speaker. I will be attending and it should be interesting to see if there is anything new to report from the event regarding the PC Party in Ontario. I will try and post an update later tonight on what occured at the dinner.
-Darryl

Is John Tory going to the Blue Jays?

Update: Tory addresses this rumour directly on Off the Record



CBC also had an update on Tory's seat search on September 5.

Is John Tory taking Paul Godfrey's job with the Blue Jays? That rumour has been going around for weeks, but yesterday Bill Murdoch who was just tossed from the PC caucus mentioned it in media interviews. From the Blue Jay perspective, there is no doubt that J.P. Ricciardi could be gone at the end of the season. If Paul Godfrey were to leave as President and CEO, would Ted Rogers call on his former CEO and former CFL commissioner to run his baseball franchise and perhaps headup the pitch for an NFL team in Toronto? I really like John Tory and think he should remain leader of the PC Party. Hopefully this rumour isn't true, but it seems to be gaining steam lately. Hopefully the issue relating to John Tory's leadership and potential seat in the legislature clears up before the end of the year.

Quotes from Murdoch:

"John should look at other options," Mr. Murdoch added. "If it's true that the Blue Jays have offered him a job, he should probably seriously think about it." "This puts a nail in his coffin," Mr. Murdoch said Thursday. "John is smart and about the hardest working person I've ever seen, but he's not a politician. To me, his political life's over. He'll have a great life as the president of the Blue Jays if he takes that job. Or whatever other private sector job he takes, he'll do well."

I guess we will see what happens over the next few weeks. On a side note; I think the hiring of Cito Gaston turned out to be huge for the Jays. I look forward to seeing what he does with the team through a full season next year.

-Darryl

Maverick MPP turfed

Ontario Conservatives eject Murdoch from caucus

TORONTO - Ontario Conservatives ejected their most outspoken member from caucus on Thursday, turfing rural MPP Bill Murdoch for voicing his displeasure with the party's seatless leader, John Tory.
Mr. Murdoch last week said Mr. Tory should look for another job, complaining about his lack of progress getting elected to the legislature. The repeated shots were too much to take, Mr. Tory said Thursday, adding not many bosses in other professions would tolerate employees who "publicly dump(ed)" on them repeatedly.
"I am the democratically elected leader of this party," he told reporters. "And I think it's not unreasonable to expect we're going to have the support of this caucus."
But Mr. Murdoch says it was his democratic right to speak freely about the party's problems.
"I never expected it to go this far," he said Thursday. "I expected Tory would say, like Mike Harris would have said, 'well, that's Murdoch and I'll deal with him.' And I actually even told him that. He wouldn't stop long enough to listen to me, as usual. John likes to talk and not listen."
Mr. Tory's support appeared to be waning ahead of a meeting last week to discuss his lagging bid to find a seat in the legislature. Some feel a pledge to win a seat by this fall is now in doubt.
Mr. Murdoch, as has often been the case, was the lone Conservative caucus member to publicly voice his displeasure with his boss. "I've basically given up on (John Tory)," he said, saying what several others would only say in private.

"John should look at other options," Mr. Murdoch added. "If it's true that the Blue Jays have offered him a job, he should probably seriously think about it."

He was suspended from caucus last week and was asked to back off those comments. But Mr. Murdoch refused to submit to caucus discipline.
"This isn't like team sports," he said. "This is a democracy."
Mr. Murdoch, a farmer who once kept a pet donkey, said Mr. Tory wanted to show he was "a tough guy" by kicking him out of caucus. He figures the decision will backfire among caucus, many of whom backed Mr. Murdoch last week.

"This puts a nail in his coffin," Mr. Murdoch said Thursday. "John is smart and about the hardest working person I've ever seen, but he's not a politician. To me, his political life's over. He'll have a great life as the president of the Blue Jays if he takes that job. Or whatever other private sector job he takes, he'll do well."

Mr. Murdoch, the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, has a long history of speaking his mind. He declared his party was "in tatters" after the 2003 election, when Conservatives dropped from a 59-seat majority to just 24 seats. "We're $8 million in debt, we don't have a leader. It's just sort of hit and miss," he said at the time.
He also mulled joining the NDP when the left-wing party dropped to seven seats, one below the threshold for official party status. At one point, he had a pet donkey.
In 2003 he refused to attend caucus meetings because MPP Tim Hudak, a man for whom he had "no respect whatsoever," was elected caucus chair.
The decision to expel Mr. Murdoch was relayed to him Thursday in a letter by veteran MPP Bob Runciman, the party's interim leader in the legislature.
"We've been through a lot of ups and downs together," Mr. Runciman said. "It's really unfortunate that it's come to this. But Billy made his own bed and he has to lie in it."
Mr. Murdoch will sit as an independent when the Queen's Park assembly resumes Monday.
"No doubt, it's a challenging time for us now" Mr. Runciman said, referring to his party's difficulties connecting with voters. "I think to get through this we have to pull together, we have to be rowing in the same direction. And Bill opted to do otherwise."

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=5ac7456c-48f8-484d-8f35-d0ea2cf46a56
***
GODFREY JOINS OTR TO TALK ABOUT JAYS' FUTURE
TSN.CA STAFF

With the Toronto Blue Jays sitting once again on the brink of playoff elimination, the rumblings in the front office are starting to overshadow the play on the field.
Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey joined Michael Landsberg on TSN's Off the Record Wednesday to discuss his future with the team and the future of general manager J.P. Ricciardi.
There has been speculation that Godfrey would step away from the team at the end of the year, something he acknowledged, but would not confirm.
"My contract comes up at the end of the year," Godfrey said. "I have to discuss it with my family and we will decide then. I haven't made up my mind whether I'm going to leave."
Godfrey is not the only member of the Blue Jays front office whose future is in question. After seven years at the helm, and no playoff appearances, speculation has been rampant that Ricciardi could also be moving on.
A report Wednesday suggested that Ricciardi will return for another year. While the team has not announced anything official, the Toronto Star suggests that Cito Gaston's return next year, something Ricciardi himself announced back in August, indicates that the GM will remain in place. The newspaper argues that any new GM would want to hire his own manager, and not be saddled with an existing one.
Godfrey, once again, reiterated his support for Ricciardi and commended what he has accomplished.
"I've always been a supporter of J.P. Ricciardi's and I continue to be a supporter of J.P. Ricciardi's," Godfrey said. "The fact is this, I've said all along, you make decisions based on the year as a whole. Are we a playoff contender? Obviously not.
"[But] when J.P. took over, the organization had a number of over-paid, under-achievers on the club. You take a snapshot of what we have now, it is appreciably better. What he's done in the major leagues, what he's done in the minor leagues, how he's built the farm system."
However, Godfrey did acknowledge that the decision on Ricciardi's future may not be up to him. "If I do stay, it will be my call. If I don't stay, I think it's up to somebody else."
Godfrey also vehemently denied that he pushed for Gaston to replace former manager John Gibbons and not Ricciardi.
"It was a mutual discussion. I spoke to J.P. about a possible change. He came back with the name 'Cito Gaston' immediately. I think it's an unfair shot at J.P."
While Godfrey remains loyal to his general manager, the threat of major front office moves loom over the franchise.
The Blue Jays have responded well under Gaston and although they made a late push for a playoff spot, it now seems almost certain they will once again miss their chance at playing baseball in October. To complicate matters they have been hit by the injury bug again. Tuesday's starter Shaun Marcum left the game in the third inning after feeling discomfort in his forearm and numbness in the pinkie finger of his right arm. Catcher Rod Barajas is also hurting due to a sore left hamstring. They are both scheduled to have MRIs on Thursday.
In 2009 the team will once again try to find a way to survive in Major League Baseball's most competitive division.
With the New York Yankees opening a new stadium and already planning to make a splash in the free agent market, plus the improved Tamps Bay Rays and always dangerous Red Sox, a slow start to next season could be disastrous.
Whoever ends up in the GM chair for the Jays will have a significant challenge ahead of them.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=249801
***

Jays president Godfrey uncertain about returning

A former newspaper publisher and municipal politician, Godfrey was named president of the Blue Jays on Sept. 1, 2000, when Rogers Communications became majority owner. His contract expires Dec. 31, but Godfrey expects to make a decision on his future sooner than that.

"Two or three weeks after the season ends we'll be coming to some conclusions," Godfrey said.

Whether he wants to come back is still up in the air.

"I haven't decided that yet," Godfrey said. "My contract expires at the end of '08 and I've not made any comment on that. I have some important matters to discuss with my family and I've said that consistently. At the same time, I've got to discuss that not only with my family, but the ownership at that point in time."

Godfrey said he has authorized Ricciardi to discuss a new deal for Gaston, who replaced John Gibbons as Blue Jays manager on June 20.

"I've spoken to him about negotiating a contract with Cito going forward," Godfrey said. "I've been a big supporter of J.P., I'm the guy who hired J.P."

Ricciardi, who has two years remaining on his contract, said in early August that he intended to bring Gaston back next season. Formal negotiations have not yet begun, but the men expect to meet this week and Ricciardi said a deal will likely be completed "before the end of the season."

"Cito will be here next year," Ricciardi said. "We'll take care of that."

An announcement on the future of Toronto's coaching staff is expected at the same time. It's not clear whether Gaston intends to retain the three coaches he inherited when he took over, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, bench coach Brian Butterfield and bullpen coach Bruce Walton.

"I'd like to have them back, I've told them that," Gaston said. "It's still up to them. The guys that are here have done a good job, so I can't see any reason why it would be any different. But you never know, maybe some of them choose not to come back."

Toronto has gone 45-32 since Gaston took over.

"I'm proud, but still think we could have done better," Gaston said.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-09-17-476490550_x.htm