THUNDER BAY – The 2010 Thunder Bay Civic Election race for at-Large Councillors could be described as a triangular election. There are 19 candidates seeking an at-Large seat, and they represent three different positions. Perhaps more than any other issue, the large and solid turnout of candidates is a demonstration of the quiet revolution happening in Thunder Bay. That quiet revolution will likely see several changes on Council, and it is predictable that some of the old familiar faces will not make it back to Council.
Those three sides of our political triangle represent our past, our present and our future. So the choices for voters will be the status quo, new faces, or a return to the past.
One of the three sides of this triangle presents several familiar old faces seeking to a return to Council to run the city. They include Ken Boshcoff the former Mayor and MP as well as Dick Waddington and Lawrence Timko and Bill Scollie.
These are voices from our communities political past, seeking returns to political power.
Then there is the present side of the triangle with incumbents seeking your support.
The only incumbent not seeking re-election is Robert Tuchenhagen. Frank Pullia is not seeking re-election for his at-large seat, but seeking to take over Lynn Peterson’s chair. Pullia’s campaign is themed as “Change you can trust”.
On the third side of the triangle are many new faces and candidates running for a second time. Those new faces are offering a change from the status quo.
There are candidates from a variety of areas, and viewpoints. It will be their challenge to reach out to voters and overcome what in Thunder Bay is sometimes a battle of “name recognition” electing people to Council.
Over the next weeks, as the candidates are at public forums, and through the debates and Candidate’s Ledgers you will be better able to get to know the candidates.
In today’s ever connected world, you can email questions that you have for the candidates directly to them, and get answers. In addition, throughout the campaign, send your questions directly to NetNewsledger.com and we will be asking all the candidates running for office your questions. Our weekly Ask the Candidate’s Feature will send all the questions to the candidates, and give them one week to answer.
As a citizen, it is going to be up to you to decide what direction you want to see Thunder Bay take in the next four years. Making the correct choices and getting out to vote will help to ensure that your decision is the one that our civic representatives will abide by.
That of course is just my opinion, as always, your mileage may vary.
James Murray