Writer responds to Chronicle Journal Letter to the Editor, opposing Judge running for Mayor
#LSN_News #LSN_Municipal Elections
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - October 1, 2018 (LSN) We need a Mayor and City Council that is balanced between sound fiscal management and the wisdom to decide between the city's needs and wants. Too many of our council members have been around for too long; they are in a comfort zone and council needs a shake-up. Of our at-large councillors, only Rebecca Johnson and Larry Hebert vote with an eye to the budget, in my opinion.
There are a bewildering number of candidates for mayor, and councillor at large. I've appreciated the Thunder Bay Source’s Profiles of the Candidates, and am making notes to try and determine who to vote for in the at-large race. For mayor, my vote will be for Shane Judge. The fact that he hasn't sat on council is a plus for me. He's not part of a cadre, and he thinks for himself.
He would like to cut the number of councillors from 12 to 8, and eliminate the ward system, which makes sense. In last week’s Chronicle-Journal, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said that a smaller council would be good for Toronto; the same can be said for Thunder Bay. New provincial rules state that a ward councillor doesn’t have to live in a ward to run in it. To replace ward councillors, Judge is recommending a Bill of Rights for home owners and residents so that the city would be required to hold a special meeting when a group of residents gathers 50 signatures requesting a meeting on a specific issue. This alone will save a lot of tax dollars.
He has some innovative ideas on how to replace the Fort William Gardens with a multi-purpose facility, in the future; and many other recommendations as to how to save money. I would urge you to check out his Facebook page if you are on Facebook, or give him a phone call if not – he’s in the phone book!
Lorna Olson, Thunder Bay