Thunder Bay ward candidate profiles

CBC Thunder Bay's ward-by-ward biographies of municipal election candidates.

Current River Ward

Andrew Foulds: incumbent

Occupation: teacher

Community Involvement:

Committed to public service. Served on committees for: Shelter House, Youth Advisory, District Social Services, Waterfront. Active in OSSTF and the Labour Council.

Top 3 Issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure and road maintenance
• Upkeep of parks
• Jobs, including the economic impact of the event center

I'm passionate about issues such as poverty, economic development, parks and the environment, especially climate adaptation.

Claudio Monteleone

Occupation: Operates a marketing company

Community Involvement:

Volunteer with the Salvation Army and the RFDA. Promote a number of charities and organizations in the community.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Build and maintain infrastructure
• Eliminate poverty and homelessness by building co-operative housing
• Make the community one hundred per cent accessible

I don't believe the city has enough councillors that understand the local business environment.

Dick Waddington

Occupation: Retired

Community Involvement:

Coaches and manages minor hockey. 35 years of service to Little League baseball. Served on a number of council committees. Instrumental in establishing Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Dredge and clean up Boulevard Lake
• Ensure the clean-up of both the water and land affected by abandoned industrial sites
• Safeguard the best use of those properties known as the LPH lands. Council could simply and cheaply rezone the city owned portion as parkland making it more difficult for those who now plan to build a whole new subdivision there

We must take care of existing infrastructure before we tax or borrow to add even more pretty nice haves to our inventory.

Andy Wolff

Occupation: Training consultant and first aid instructor

Community Involvement:

Working on charity events for the Salvation Army, the Shelter House. Serving on the anti-racism advisory committee.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure, particularly roads
• Crime
• Rising taxes

A new city council will need to prioritize spending to address essential and public services first, rather than the present direction this city council is taking with what they believe will stimulate the economy.

McIntyre Ward

Trevor Giertuga:incumbent

Occupation: Registered Nurse, former business owner

Community Involvement:Not provided

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Lowering taxes
• Seeking economic opportunities for our children's future
• Road reconstruction, resurfacing and park enhancements

I have always been and will continue to be accountable and accessible through ward meetings, individual site visits, and prompt return of phone calls.

Mike Komar

Occupation: Business owner

Community Involvement:

Active with Volunteer Pool soccer club.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Revitalize and attract business to County Fair mall area
• Review of the city's official plan
• Job creation

It's time for solving problems with basic common sense, innovative ideas and creative solutions.

Logan Ollivier

Occupation: Owns a new media marketing company

Community Involvement:

Rotarian with the Port Arthur Rotary club , volunteerwith many organizations including the Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club and Northern Hearts.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Accountability
• Fiscal responsibility
• Growth

I believe Thunder Bay has huge untapped potential and we need bold thinking to see that reached.We also need to know that what we're being told is the truth.

Wesley Ramage

Occupation: Teacher, member of the Canadian Forces

Community Involvement:

Involved with organizations and executives like OECTA, the Knights of Columbus and NWOAME.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure
• Safety
• Taxes

I want to represent each individual constituent and be their voice at city hall.

McKellar Ward

Paul Pugh:incumbent

Occupation: Former president of CAW Local 1075. Union and social activist.

Community Involvement:

Since being elected to council have served on a number of committees including:Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board, Poverty Reduction Strategy (as chair),Anti-Racism Advisory Committee.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Poverty reduction
• Urban core renewal
• Infrastructure

Other priorities include bringing decent jobs to Thunder Bay and strengthening neighbourhoods.

Douglas Powell

Occupation: Retired mill worker

Community Involvement:

A founding member of the Thunder Bay Coalition Against Poverty. Committed to issues of homelessness and hunger.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Listen to the citizens' concerns and views on important issues for the area, from infrastructure to crime to the Shelter House
• I place a high value on public services. Our citizens need emergency response, fire, ambulance, police, public works and road repairs
• Thunder Bay is a large shipping port. Looking to show companies an incentive to invest in our community is essential

I am running to ensure my children and grandchildren and all our children have a future without paying off our generations debt.

Kristian Kuznak

Occupation: Sales

Community Involvement:Not provided

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• This ward has great opportunity for promoting culture and community pride
• Government needs to be made more efficient by using taxes more responsibly and limiting the burden on the taxpayer
• Strive to provide opportunity for growth and incentive for new industry where the youth see purpose and security for the future.

I am pro-business and individual success and I want to see a clean, safe city with a future for our children.

Neebing Ward

Linda Rydholm:incumbent

Occupation: Politician

Community Involvement:

Serves on a number of boards and committees including: Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, Thunder Bay Parking Authority, and Federation of Canadian Municipalities national board.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Road work
• Traffic flow and traffic speed
• Priorities within the city budget

I promise to continue to work hard for Neebing ward, drawing on the commitment, experience and perseverance of the people and myself.

Geoffrey Abthorpe

Occupation: Executive at energy company

Community Involvement:

Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure, development and maintenance
• Better city governance
• Business growth and development

Neebing ward needs a strong voice with new ideas for representing people.

Austin Haner

Occupation: Student at Lakehead University, studying political science and economics

Community Involvement:

Was member of Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps. Took part in events like the Terry Fox Run, Parade of Lights, Police Memorial Service.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Road maintenance
• High tax rate coupled with a lack of services
• Quality of life, expansion of sidewalks and walking paths for community safety

Want to see the city prosper through the retention of young professionals and the creation and maintenance of services to benefit all generations of citizens.

Northwood Ward

Mark Bentz:incumbent

Occupation: High school teacher

Community Involvement:

Have worked with boards and agencies within our community, including:

Founding member of the Community Economic Development Commission, director and vice-chair of the Thunder Bay Hydro board, chair of the Waterfront Development Committee, trustee on the Lakehead Public Board of Education.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Improving Northwood's storm sewer system and roads
• Advancing crime prevention initiatives in Northwood
• Holding taxes to inflationary levels.

In my years as an elected official, I have worked with many boards and agencies within our community and gained invaluable knowledge about our community.

Frank Armiento

Occupation: Financial planner, retired president of contracting company

Community Involvement:

Served on boards including the Knights of Columbus as a Grand Knight, financial secretary for the Principe de Piemonte Society, St. Dominic Church Council, and a new director of the CLE.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Improve ward representation by focusing on ward issues such as storm sewer management and by holding off on the legacy projects
• Crime is a big problem in our ward and action must be taken to improve community safety. I would like to see a greater police presence by way of stepped-up police patrols especially between 2am to 5 am
• We need tax relief to move the city forward. I believe lower taxes will attract new business and would provide more disposable income to support the local business

A big concern and a key focus is the annual city budget.

Shelby Ch'ng

Occupation: Small business owner

Community Involvement:

On board of directors with SHIFT, member since 2008.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure
• Crime
• Community engagement

To move forward we can't use yesterday's thinking. We need to use a modern approach. I have modern tools and ideas that are needed on council.

Jim Mauro

Occupation: Police officer

Community Involvement:

40 years of volunteering. Baseball, hockey coach, United Way, Shelter House, Arthritis Society, Easter Seals, Northern Cancer Research Foundation, 2006 Chamber of Commerce Employee of the year.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• The massive infrastructure deficit that exists for sewers, water lines, drainage with no guarantee the 17 needed projects will even get done
• Community safety. People have a very real fear of walking in their neighbourhoods and are feeling less secure in their own homes
• Accountability and taxation. There is a strong sense that council does not see the challenges facing too many families and voters feel disconnected from their representative

Red River Ward

Brian McKinnon:incumbent

Occupation: Lecturer at Lakehead University, retired principal

Community Involvement:

Immediate past-chair of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, director, Lakehead Learning Foundation, past director, St. Joseph's Care Group, past-president, Thunder Bay Football Officials Association. Many council committees.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Ensure that Red River Ward receives its fair share of infrastructure money
• Work hard to enhance walking, hiking and biking trail system within the ward
• Work hard to improve the park system within the ward by obtaining new playground equipment, better lighting in some of our parks and general upkeep of our parks

I want to continue to address individual residents concerns.

James Dean Marsh

Occupation: Machinist, mechanic

Community Involvement:Not provided

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure. A good base is needed with any expectation of growth
• An infusion of efforts into youth centresand programming
• Lobbying governments and exploring options at a municipal level to combat both alcohol and drug addiction problems which are an ever-increasing problem in our city

Another priority is to address the city'sneeds over the wants such as an event centre.

David George Noonan

Occupation: Sales representative

Community Involvement:

Active Transportation Committee member, Earth Care Thunder Bay working group, former member Sister Cities advisory committee, host family with Thunder Bay Border Cats, Friends of Hillcrest Park.

Top 3 issues for the ward

• Improving infrastructure: Roads, sidewalks and accessibility
• Increasing neighbourhood safety. Creating community partnerships and poverty reduction
• Protecting the environment: Enhancing parks and greenspaces. Better waste diversion through recycling and composting

I believe in the potential of this community. With my voice on council we can build a stronger, more sustainable Thunder Bay.

Paul Sloan

Occupation: Experience in a variety of areas. Currently in early planning stages of an industrial-zoned business

Community Involvement: Not provided on basis prefers not to discuss volunteer or charitable work to get publicity for votes.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Event Centre. Supports the concept but not in its current version
• Balancing the city budget below the non-guaranteed Tbaytel dividend, directly related to keeping taxes low and maintaining services
• Neighbourhood improvement with ward budgets administered by volunteer neighbourhood councils and the councillor

The city needs leadership; many incumbents are counting on fear of the new candidates to get them re-elected. Citizens, don't be fooled.

Westfort Ward

Joe Virdiramo:incumbent

Occupation: Retired teacher and former director of education

Community Involvement:

Long-time member of the Italian Cultural, Da Vinci and the Westfort community centres, sit on a number of boards and committees.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Infrastructure
• Roads
• Additional recreational facilities improvements

I will continue to advocate for funding and services from the federal and provincial governments vital to improving the quality of life in Westfort and Thunder Bay. Continue to share and listen to constituentsviewpoints and challenges.

Beatrice Metzler

Occupation: Self-employed manager and adjudicator

Community Involvement:

Spokesperson for Save Heath Park Pool Committee, member Westfort Kiwanis, active in church community, founding member, West Thunder Community Center, former trustee, Lakehead Board of Education.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Affordable, sustainable municipal tax rates. I will make careful and intelligent choices with taxpayers' dollars and be a good steward of public funds
• Road improvements. I propose improvements be carried out through a 10-year program
• Neighbourhood safety. Every citizen has the right to be safe and to feel safe

Another priority is the Kam River Bridge. The bridge must be repaired by CN, or a new vehicular/pedestrian bridge built under city direction.

John Radl

Occupation: Retired police officer

Community Involvement:

Worked with youth for more than 20 years with Army Cadets. Served as president of the Ortona Legion, sat on neighbourhood and crime prevention committees.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• High taxes. Fight to lower our rating by lowering future taxes
• Improve quality of life by improving accessibility through infrastructure
• Initiate crime prevention programs

Living in Westfort, I am your neighbour. I will respond to your calls and keep you informed.

Frank Scarcello

Occupation: Self-employed financial planner

Community Involvement:

Volunteer experience in youth athletics coaching youth in baseball, basketball, soccer and lacrosse. Served on the Board of Directors of the Thunder Bay Lacrosse League as treasurer.

Top 3 issues for the ward:

• Citizens in Westfort have expressed very little interest in the event centrefor a variety of reasons including location, affordability and timing
• Citizens are feeling the pinch of the ever increasing level of municipal taxation and other costs
• Citizens are perceiving that the community has become unsafe

Complete map of Thunder Bay ward boundaries: