Vic Fedeli announces the launch of his Victory 2011 campaign to run for MPP of the Nipissing riding at the Davedi Club Wednesday afternoon. Photo and Photo Gallery by Devin Size.
Vic Fedeli announces the launch of his Victory 2011 campaign to run for MPP of the Nipissing riding at the Davedi Club Wednesday afternoon. Photo and Photo Gallery by Devin Size.With the official announcement made today, North Bay’s worst kept secret was finally made public. As the majority predicted after he completed his second term as Mayor of North Bay, he has decided to run for MPP as the representative for the Nipissing riding. The only part of the puzzle left to be put in place was which party he would run for. Long-time known as a Liberal, Fedeli has bestowed his loyalty to Tim Hudak’s Progressive Conservative Party.
“When I had the great privilege of serving as Mayor,” Fedeli expressed. “I worked for our city, our regional communities, and all of The North. As I travelled through Northern Ontario, I noticed something was really, really wrong. A lot of MPP’s were making funding announcements, but I wasn’t seeing those for our region.”
Fedeli’s campaign fired up today at the Davedi Club on Airport Rd. with hundreds of colleagues, friends, family members, and local supporters attentively listening. Fedeli cited his accomplishments for both the city and northern region, but he also noted the lack of provincial funding such as the Stimulus funds and the Knowledge Infrastructure programs for the area.
“We need someone to represent Nipissing in Queen’s Park who represents our needs,” said Fedeli. “Sometimes Sudbury gets the mines, and we get the shaft.”
The major standpoint of the Victory 2011 campaign is reassignment of provincial funding towards our region, in an effort towards economic recovery. Ontario Northland was a main concern and focus of his speech today, as Fedeli explained why it is so important that it gets the revitalization it is in dire need of, to return it to its prominent position as a vital asset to our regional economy.
When asked about his thoughts on Monique Smith’s announcement to resign as MPP at the end of this term, he responded that he was focused solely on his economic movement forward.
“I’m only worried about Vic Fedeli,” said the former mayor. “A few examples from the past set the stage for why I wanted to run, but my intention is only to talk about the future, and the great things I think I can bring for Nipissing.”
Colleagues and friends of Fedeli’s stood and spoke on his behalf before his speech began, including President of the Davedi club and long-time friend Vince Orlando. He spoke to the local Italian community in their native language in praise of Fedeli’s work ethic, and stressed how important it was for the local community to show their support now more than ever.
Also there to speak on his behalf was City Councillor and colleague for many years, Judy Koziol. Her words expressed that Fedeli’s work ethic and dedication to his citizens has always impressed her during their time working together for North Bay.
“The reason I am supporting Vic, is whether we agree or disagree on issues, I’ve always know that he does everything he can to work for, what was in this case North Bay."
"I believe that he will bring that energy to the entire riding. I feel that is what has been lacking. I feel the others have been more concerned with what the party wanted and not what the riding needed,” stated Koziol.
Fedeli expressed that he doesn’t feel that he stands on either side of the political spectrum. He feels only that he is working towards the greater good of the riding.
“Some people lean to the left, some people lean to the right, I am only leaning forward,” were the words of Fedeli.
Standing beside him as always was his wife, Patty Fedeli, supporting her husband in another progressive endeavour for the local community.
“The strong point of his campaign will be him,” stated Mrs. Fedeli. “He’s a very honest and hardworking man. He’s the kind of man who goes into this for the right reasons."
"Vic really believes in Northern Ontario, we’re both born and raised here. We’ve had many opportunities to leave, but now we’re leaving here by choice. I think someone that chooses to be there, will work harder than someone who’s pushed into it.”
The date, time, and location of the PC Nomination meeting is still to be announced, but will be somewhere at the end of March.
To be eligible to vote at the nomination meeting, supporters must buy a membership from the Nipissing Provincial PC Association or either of the candidates before the end of February.
