3 Keys to Judging Candidates for Thorold City Council
A review of all candidates running for Thorold City Council is underway in relation to the issues that the community cares about, based on our public survey. Our review will help us decide which candidates to support. We recommend voters also use these three keys to judging candidates for Thorold City Council.
- Review positions candidates have taken on issues that affect you
- Ask if a candidate is running to serve personal business interests or to help you
- Seek the opinions of other voters to learn how other residents asses candidates
Overall, we recommend voters determine what they want from a City Councillor. Consider the positions they have expressed on issues and decisions affecting our community. Judge the leadership qualities and experience they would add to council.
When we consider issues a key question asked is what priorities do you want council to address in Thorold. For example, you may be interested in student housing problems, affordable housing for families and seniors, or sprawling oversized in-filling developments.
Ask your neighbours, co-workers and friends if they think a candidate is aiming to be on council to serve their personal business interests over the community’s interest.
When we consider leadership qualities, it is important to judge a candidate’s characteristics. Check for integrity, transparency, inclusiveness, honesty, humility, strong decision-maker, and an effective communicator.
Consider a candidate’s backers.
Ask why a businesses or special interest group
supports a candidate
After considering which issues and qualities are most important to you in this year’s election, rank all the following candidates on your priorities by using our three keys to guide your voting decision.
- Angie Coates
- Henry D’Angela
- Kieran Daniels
- Mike De Divitiis
- Nella Dekker (D’Epiro)
- Carmen DeRose
- Tim Geddes
- David “Jim” Handley
- Rachael Haynes
- Anthony Longo
- Tim O’Hare
- Ken Sentance
- Ryan Smith
- Sebastian Soccio-Marandola
- James Symons
- Dean Taylor
- Shawn Wilson
- Victoria Wilson
- Chris York
What We Learned About Leading Candidates
Why Is Longo Addressing Hot Issues?
During the 2018-22 term at Thorold City Hall, Councillor Anthony Longo faced some controversial issues such as the Canada Games Facility, Council pay raise, Thorold South (Pyrolysis) incineration facility, residential versus commercial development, residential growth, to name just a few. Running for a third term on council, Longo is now addressing the issues head-on and straight-up in his current bid for re-election.
Do you want to know the rest of the story directly from Anthony?
DeRose Aims to Manage Taxes
In his first term on Thorold City Council, Carmen DeRose showed a commitment to manage muncipal taxes responsibly.
“I am focused on spending taxpayers’ dollars with respect and getting the maximum bang for your buck. I want to help people. A lot of people are apprehensive about reaching out to City Hall and feel intimidated. I try to be their voice. I try to help them any way I can.” Carmen promises.
D’Angela for Positive Change
Former Mayor of Thorold and Regional Councillor, Henry D’Angela is running for City Council in this election “to bring my knowledge, experience and belief that getting community involvement can bring positive change.
D’Angela says council needs to address basic infrastructure such as roads, water service, and sewers. He also wants our municipality to work with upper-level governments to bring affordable housing projects and a long-term care facility to serve Thorold residents. “I would support stable, responsible taxes reflecting real needs, not political wish lists,” stated D’Angela
Dekker Hopes to Continue
In her first term on City Council, Nella Dekker pushed for physician recruitment as a priority. She also worked with Councillor Ken Sentance to advance a plan for Pathstone Mental Health to open a satellite office at the Thorold Public Library. She also supported an initiative to get a licensee approved to sell beer and wine in the Pine Shopping Centre. Dekker says the Santa Claus Parade will return this year because of the determination of a committee and her role as council’s special events liaison. Dekker thinks she is making a positive difference in our community and hopes to continue on council as “we have much more to do.”
Handley Wants Review of City’s Development Charges
If Jim Handley gets re-elected to council, he would push for a review of the city’s development fee charges bylaw. Achieving this goal would be part of his overall mission to enhance our community. Jim wants to create a good relationship with the new council and show leadership as the longest serving member. He is keen on continuing to serve the community with honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability, which is part of his idea to call for an organizational review of staff policies and responsibilities.
O’Hare Has Ideas to Fix Student Housing Problems
In his first campaign to win a seat on council, Tim O’Hare says our community needs fresh and innovative ideas to help Thorold grow into a prosperous, caring and healthy city.
O’Hare wants the city to invest in affordable housing for seniors and families and address environmental issues, from protecting our green spaces, building Thorold’s tree canopy, and increasing the number of bike lanes.
“We need to deal with student housing issues that impact our neighbourhoods from parking problems, speeding and the lack of care and attention given to some student rental homes.”
Our review of the certified candidates will continue through the remaining days of the municiapl election campaign. Stay tuned as we preprare more recommendations for voters to consider on election day. Please join the conversation on our Facebook.com/inthorold page to help us all assess the candidates that will guide our community as councillors.