The North Bay Police Association has released the list of candidates it is endorsing for the upcoming municipal election.
The Association became a third party advertiser for the election as it wants to support candidates it feels understand the importance of a municipal police service.
The issue came up earlier this year when the current city council considered an OPP costing for police services. The council later decided not to move forward on a OPP costing proposal.
“The North Bay Police Association represents the men and women who work daily to ensure the safety of our community,” stated Aaron Northrup, president of the Police Association in a release today.
“We are your coaches, volunteers, fund-raisers, supporters, and neighbours,” he continued.
The association sent a questionnaire to all the North Bay council and mayoral candidates. Three of the four mayoral candidates and 20 of the 26 council candidates replied. Will Bission was the only mayoral candidate not to respond to the police questionnaire.
“We thank the candidates who took the time out of their busy campaign and personal lives to respond to our inquiry,” Northrup said.
“Our questions concerned the future of policing in the community, the perceived need for a collaborative response to the problems of mental health and addictions and their overall vision of North Bay.”
The association has endorsed mayoral candidate Al McDonald and council candidate Mac Bain, both present members of the Police Services Board, Tanya Vrebosch, Jeff Serran, Bill Vrebosch, Scott Robertson, Marcus Tignanelli, Johanne Brousseau, Peter Gregory, and David Thompson.
The association also commented on another group of candidates.
“Based on the candidate responses and views expressed publicly, we are encouraged by the honest views expressed by mayoral candidates Gary Gardiner and Sheldon Forgette along with council candidates Mike Anthony, Dave Mendicino, Derek Shogren, Ed Valenti, and Neal McNamara.
"We thank the three of four mayoral candidates and the 20 of 26 council candidates who took the time out of their busy campaign and personal lives to respond to our inquiry."
The Municipal election takes place on October 22.
