THUNDER BAY – EDITORIAL – The next civic election in Thunder Bay will be in 2018. The Mayor and Council elected in 2018 will be the leaders in our community for the 50th anniversary of the amalgamation on January 1 1970 of Port Arthur and Fort William.
That anniversary will be a huge milestone for Thunder Bay and with the right leadership in place will help position our city for the future.
Looking to the past history, Thunder Bay has not since the city was founded elected a Mayor for three successive terms. Voters in the city have often given our community’s Mayor a two-term mandate and then selected another leader.
Mayor Keith Hobbs is in the middle of his second term, and likely may not seek re-election.
Many people in our city are already thinking in terms of who could be candidates for Thunder Bay’s next Mayor.
In terms of the qualities needed for leading Thunder Bay; leadership; the ability to get things done; having a solid network of contacts in government and the private sector; and being able to unite and guide a team at City Hall, the next Mayor will need all of those qualities and more.
Right now, with enough time before the next civic election, there is time for many potential candidates to come forward. There is time for people to start asking people who they think need to become more involved in our city.
The next Ontario provincial election will be in the spring of 2018. The next Thunder Bay Civic election will be in November of 2018.
This opens the door for one potential candidate for Mayor; Michael Gravelle, the current Minister for Northern Development and Mines, and MPP for Thunder Bay Superior North.
Minister Gravelle has the kind of positive energy, connections, and likeability that could move Thunder Bay to the next level. With his connections from his years at Queen’s Park, and his connections across the region, bringing his skills to City Hall would be like giving our city a massive boost of positive energy and enthusiasm.
Over his career, Minister Gravelle has remained a dedicated and steadfast positive and energetic leader in our community. Finishing off his long and successful political career as Mayor of Thunder Bay would bring all of that energy home and help our city.
There are many people in Thunder Bay who could or should be considered. Michael Gravelle in 2018 is just one.
Who do you suggest?
James Murray
What are your thoughts? Send your comments or letters to the editor to newsroom@netnewsledger.com
