THUNDER BAY – Anyone who thinks that civic politics isn’t interesting or exciting must not be following City Hall in Thunder Bay. Heading toward the deadline for filing nomination papers, there are a bunch of interesting developments looming in the campaign.
Some of the interest is in the official silence from several of the incumbent candidates.
Councillors at Large Rebecca Johnson and Frank Pullia have yet to file nomination papers. Johnson has said she is running, but has not confirmed what position she will be running for.
Pullia has remained silent for the most part, although it is has been rumoured that he will be seeking the Mayor’s Chair.
There are also some who are speculating that even though Councillor at Large Iain Angus has filed nomination papers seeking re-election as Councillor at Large, that he could be re-considering and looking at the top job as Mayor. Angus who is also heading the North of Superior Tourism Association, has served on Council, as well as serving as both MPP and MP.
Federal MP John Rafferty, according to a Facebook posting by Keith Hobbs, is endorsing Hobbs. “Thank you M.P. John Rafferty for throwing your support behind my campaign today. I appreciate it very much!” commented Hobbs on Sunday night after campaigning at the Hymer’s Fall Fair.
Hobbs, who declared several months ago, has been campaigning hard, door-knocking throughout the city, and reaching out to gain the ear of voters.
The other candidates for Mayor, Jeff Irwin and Brian Kwasny have remained quite quiet.
Irwin’s website www.yournextmayor.ca offers some insight into the candidate. His Facebook group has seven supporters as of today.
Mayor Peterson has yet to kick her campaign into gear. The Mayor doesn’t have a website up yet, or have a social media presence. That however is likely one of the benefits of being the incumbent.
During the next weeks, it is likely, as the campaign kicks into a new, higher gear, that there will be far more information flowing from all the candidates for Mayor and Council.
As of today, there are contested races for all positions except for Westfort ward, where Joe Virdiramo remains unchallenged.
By October 25th, when the voters cast their ballots, one can hope that we will see a highly spirited campaign, and a full airing of the issues which are important to the people of our city.
The decision in the hands of voters is what direction our community will take into our future.
It is a key decision, and one that hopefully all the citizens in Thunder Bay take very seriously.
James Murray