What Lynne Bennett will do as mayor

Lynne Bennett has a vision for North Bay’s future, one she hopes to be able to put in place starting Nov. 11 if elected mayor.

Bennett, North Bay’s deputy mayor, shared elements of that vision with supporters Thursday during the official opening of her Main Street campaign office.

Reading a prepared speech, her six-year-old grandson Kalen peaking over the podium, Bennett said planning for the future starts with a plan “of where we want to be.”

Her vision, she said, starts with strong economic growth, good paying jobs, employment opportunities for youth, and an educated and skilled workforce. It includes attracting new business and industry, supporting the growth of small business and the retention and expansion of existing businesses.

“It is about clean air and safe water, essential for both health and tourism, and safe neighbourhoods, and renewed infrastructure,” Bennett said.

Social activism plays role

She said she envisions a revitalized downtown, a well developed waterfront and services that are "acceptable" and "meet the needs" of North Bay residents.

“My vision is also about attracting and keeping health specialists, recreation that is affordable and accessible, a vibrant arts community, and promoting our city as a tourist destination with attractions and events and a hospitality sector which makes sure people feel welcome and come back.”

Bennett’s social activism also plays a role in her vision.

“It’s also about accessible affordable housing for families, seniors and the disabled and the elimination of poverty, food banks and soup kitchens,” she said to ringing applause.


Time to revisit strategic plan

Bennett alluded to a 1991 strategic planning session which involved council members, city staff and community members.

“Much has changed both locally and in the world since then: Walkerton, SARS, 9/11, blackouts, provincial downloading to municipalities, cutbacks in funding for health care, education, public housing, municipal infrastructure, the list goes on,” Bennett said.

The time has come, she added, to revisit that strategic plan “in a serious way,” if North Bay is to become a healthy and sustainable community.

“I believe that this is a critical time in our community and that we need a plan to guide us forward,” Bennett said.
“If we fail to plan, we plan to fail, it’s as simple as that.”

No specific policies

The role of the mayor, Bennett said, is not about control.

“It is about building a team out of an often diverse group of people. It is about respecting the opinions and expertise of each member. It is about allowing full say and honouring decisions made. It is about valuing the contributions of each member because we’re all in this together to make a better community.”

After her speech Bennett admitted she didn’t have any specific policies to unveil.

“No I don’t have any rabbits in the hat,” she said.

The main thing Bennett wants to do as mayor is to look at the city and create a community plan.

“And the components of that community plan will be those very kind of strategies that may or may not cover some of the areas Mr. Fedeli is suggesting,” Bennett said.

“I just feel very strongly that it has to come from the community and be a collaborative effort. I don’t see the job of mayor as standing up and saying ‘we’re going to do this, this, this and this.’ The ideas could be wonderful and should be introduced, but I think we have to do it in the context of a planning process.”