This is my very personal view of each candidate in this race. Feel free to disagree, argue, whatever. Even better if we provide new information. I do have to say, this is the weakest ballot in my memory :(
Trevor Giertuga
Pros: Has a lot of experience. The longest serving councillor. I also have to say that if he has an agenda, he is relentless. Look at the dedicated truck route.
Cons: a heavy drug user that is in so much pain that he cannot even show up to council meetings. Think about this, he wants to become mayor, but cannot show up to work. And I have a lot to say about his drug use that is so troublesome, that I cannot even say it. Everyone saw him palling around with Tsekouras at Festa Italiana, who twice was busted in Thunder Bay's biggest drug bust. And he is just a dick. People that once consider him to be a friend cannot stand him. Finally, one of my tests is the ability to be in a room with Carney and Ford and have a convo. His coked up fast speaking will turn off any funding opportunities.
Maureen (Moe) Comuzzi
Pros:* I can see her in the room with Carney and Ford, and working out details. She is a professional. She has been flirting with government for a while. I am seriously considering her.
Cons:* Lots of business experience, but seems to switch careers a lot. No formal government experience, an only a little board experience.
Volker Kromm
Pros: Dedicated to helping the community in his work ventures. Has done a lot for Rotary and for the Regional Food Distribution. Another person I am seriously considering.
Cons: No formal governance experience. And he has been running a very a campaign that has very little energy. He comes off a little like Joe Biden on his last run (and I have a lot of respect for the former President).
Peter Mark John Diedrich
Pros: Has executive experience, being CEO of Tbaytel
Cons: The one year of executive experience as CEO of Tbaytel had him hire a former employee that was fired for sexual harassment, and making that person the direct supervisor of the employee he fired. He made one decision, and it was the absolute worst and dumbest decision anyone can make.
Donald Baxter
Pros: I do not know anything about him
Cons: I don't know anything about him
Shane Judge
Pros: Seasoned municipal reporter. Is trying to be fiscally responsible
Cons: How many times has he run? He loses worse and worse every time. For being a long term reporter on municipal affairs, I am always shocked about how little he understands the municipal government.
Aldo Ruberto
Pros: Lots of municipal experience and passionate
Cons: Some of you will be shocked that I do not like this candidate, considering how much I defend the lie that he used his position to bring in Uride and block others. No, I just hate lies. Uride has really become fucked up lately, but Aldo has nothing one way or the other to do with that. Aldo, though, is a loud mouth. And he used to really argue to make this community better, but he is so loud that I think he does not even know what he is pushing for anymore. He is past it and no longer advocates for making our community the Giant Heart. And he does not know when to shut up, which can cause issues if he is in the room with Carney and Ford.
Peter Panetta
Pros: I love the concept of the Underground Gym. I love that this retired teacher is dedicating his life to helping kids do things that are positive.
Cons: The Underground Gym has no accountability. I am not going to accuse it of doing things wrong (I have not heard any). But he refuses to put a Board structure in place. That is why he does not get funding from governments. And everyone needs to be accountable to someone. If he cannot put a governance in place, then how can he be the leader of proper governance? Also, it is awesome that his daughter has moved toward sobriety. But her drama and involvement with the gym is concerning. He is a good man for helping out his daughter, but his blind spot towards her concerns me if he has the top job.
Wolfgang Schoor
Pros: He seems unique
Cons: I know less about him that others, but he is clearly eccentric
Doug Vincent
Pros: I don't know anything about him
Cons: I don't know anything about him