Post-Election Sound Bites

As the dust settles after the municipal election it might be interesting to reflect on some of the post-election sound bytes offered by the candidates and others. While Mayor Vic can rightly say that he had the support of 70% of the 45% of the eligible voters who were interested enough in municipal politics to vote, there was another message that may have been too subliminal at first glance.

The return of all the incumbents certainly endorsed the actions of the past three years but the change in the standings also sent a message. That the Deputy Mayor was again at the top of the polls reflected the good work he did on the financial side. But the Mayor should also note that the next four positions now contain councillors who did not always agree with him, in fact some of them are the very ones that complained of exclusion. For the Mayor to say that they are likely the ones who did not do their homework and read their weekly packages, sounded lame if not condescending. Perhaps people heard Stan’s message about working together and voted for those councillors who may not be Vic’s strongest supporters.

It was interesting to hear former councillor Maroosis reflecting on the government-funding problem that every candidate said would be one of their top issues. George said that there may some minor tweaking needed, but the very success of North Bay in its growth and improvement in its finances may have played against us in the funding formula. His thoughts that there may not be much more on the table were echoed by the Premier on Wednesday when he told all the mayors across Ontario not to look to the Province for more money. The cupboard in Toronto is bare; try Ottawa.

It was encouraging to hear council contender Tanya Vrebosch say that she is still keen to get a seat on council. Tanya was not discouraged to place eleventh in the tight race for those last positions on council. She is more than willing to serve if a vacancy opens on council. Knowing the family, they are tenacious and public service is in the genes.

But if Tanya is expecting to be selected if a vacancy occurs, she might want to reflect on what Mayor Vic said after his re-election. Emphasizing on CBC radio that he has always thought an elected person should serve only two terms, he said he would step down next time – unless it looked like he was needed for another term. To top that little burst of ego, he said he would be grooming a replacement. Crikey, he is only into his fourth year and he thinks he has created a dynasty to equal the Romanov’s or Medici! And what makes him think that the lowly electors are incapable of selecting their own crown prince?

Sorry, Tanya, there may be someone else, groomed and waiting, in the wings.