Lynne Reynolds did what many observers thought she would
do. She has declared her intention to run for the position of Mayor of the
City of Greater Sudbury. She began her campaign at the beginning of March,
giving her a full eight months for the run.
It is expected that current Mayor David Courtemanche will soon announce
his candidacy.
Several others are expected to throw their hats into the ring as well.
As a first time municipal politician, Reynolds has developed a
reputation for questioning and criticizing the municipal leadership,
including Mayor Courtemanche and some of the highest bureaucrats at City
Hall.
At the age of 56, she has the energy and the experience to take on the
top role in the City, however, she must now demonstrate that her
philosophy is significantly different from the current Mayor. She must
also show that she has to courage to allow ratepayers to give a clear
mandate for the next council. That clarity will only come if voters have
two distinct choices. If we are merely going to choose from a number of
candidates who are all declaring that they have the ability to be strong
leaders, we face three more years of confusion.
Reynolds read from a prepared speech and identified a lot of things
that we already knew.
“We all know that things are not working well at city hall. The
rhetoric we hear is just not jiving with reality. There is virtually no
sense of direction, no impetus, no compelling vision, no energy driving
the city.”
Greater
Sudbury
voters now “have an opportunity to elect someone who is capable and
ready to tackle the questions that they ask themselves every day about
their municipal government,” she said.
“The questions are repeated over and over again, in coffee shops, in
malls and at kitchen tables throughout the city ...
“What kind of value are we getting for our ever-increasing taxes and
fees? Why do we feel like we’re paying more and getting less? Why does
the city feel as though it’s adrift? Where are the bold and smart ideas
and projects that will shape our future?”
Reynolds indicated that she intends to work hard to overcome the
inside-outside debate and to make all taxpayers feel that they are part of
the City.
Reynolds, and indeed every other person who decides to run for Mayor,
must accept the fact that many ratepayers would return to a form of
regional government in an instant. The Amalgamation has failed to live up
to its promises and must change direction. Instead of continuing to
"centralize services", there is a clear and growing desire by
residents for a "de-centralization" and a return to the old
system whereby each of the former seven (7) municipalities "ran their
own show".
We know that it is impossible to reverse the infrastructure of
amalgamation. Nevertheless, there is a way to return to the "Spirit
of Regional Government" and anyone running for Mayor must be prepared
to state their position clearly on this issue.
The issue is clear. Do the people of the City of Greater Sudbury want
to return to a style of government which is prepared to decentralize and
once again try to create seven distinct communities within the amalgamated
region, or do we want to continue down the current road of "all for
one and one for all". Do we live in "Valley East" or do we
live in The City of Greater Sudbury?
Voters need two choices this time around. The winner will be able to
sit in front of Council and declare that he/she has a clear mandate from
the voters. There will be no confusion and the Council will have its
direction.
The inside/outside debate will continue forever until voters have a
chance to indicate their preference on the ballot. What we need now is at
least one candidate for Mayor willing to stand for the old governing
style. If that Mayor is elected by the majority of ratepayers, then
Council will have to act accordingly.
Who is willing to take that stand and offer to be Mayor under those
conditions?
