Strong slate vies to replace Jody Mitic in Innes ward

Three women who have spent time behind the scenes at city halland a retired member of the Armed Forcesare tryingto differentiate themselves as they compete for Jody Mitic's empty seat in Innesward.

Mitic, a veteran of theAfghanistan war,decided not seek a second termandhas been on leavefor health reasons.

Laura Dudas, Donna Leith-Gudbranson, Tammy Lynch and FranoisTrpanier agree the main issuefacing Innesward istransportation.

Homes and stores keep going up south of InnesRoad, but the roads and transit service aren't keeping pace.

That area is also a bit too farsouth of the future second phase oflight railto connect into it easily, they say, soan extension to Brian Coburn Boulevard must be a priority.

Differentiating themselves at the door

With little disagreement over the issuesthe candidates are trying to set themselves apart, especially given the three female candidates are all well-spoken and have allworked at city hall.

Laura Dudas worked in communications at the cityand saidher years as presidentof the Blackburn Community Association will help her advocate for funding for the area's infrastructureand lureemployers.

"It's that tenacity and making sure the east end's voice is heard," said Dudas.

"Because it's our turn."

Until she started campaigning, Tammy Lynchworked in Mitic'soffice, so shesaid she's up-to-date on all the files and residentconcerns.

"For me to start on Dec. 1, there'd be no learning curve. I'm ready to get to work on Day 1," she said.

Two bilingual candidates

Meanwhile, Donna Leith-Gudbranson spent six years working for Coun. Tim Tierneyin Beacon Hill-Cyrville and for Mitic's predecessor in Innesward, Rainer Bloess.

She said she has the support of both men.

"I always feel like I learned from the best," she said.

She would want to spend a lot of time in thewardmeetingresidentsinstead of hearing their complaints over the phone fromcity hall.

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Leith-Gudbranson may not have a francophone name, but makes sure to let voters know she's fluently bilingual.

It's a quality she thinks is important for a councillor who representsthousands of French-speaking residents.

The other bilingual candidate, Franois Trpanier,has not spent the same time aroundcity hall.

He served nearly three decades in the Armed Forces before turning to business and said he's proud of histwomasters degrees in education and public administration.

"That means you've conducted a lot of research, you're able to look into issues and make up your mind for yourself," he said.

Voters have good choices this election,said KatieMorissette, president of theChapel Hill North Community Association.

"We'd be very lucky to have any of them."