Fast approaching are the upcoming elections which should be on everyone’s radar. Some already are very deeply immersed and know what is happening with many of the candidates and their campaigns but many others do not. The elections, I believe, are something that people should not just brush off, as they are very important not only to the City but also to you.

Did you know that here in London, Ontario, there are currently ten Mayor candidates? I didn’t until I recently looked it up on the City’s website. However, what surprises me is the fact that I have only heard of two of them. Perhaps the other candidates have already dropped out of the running? Or simply just have not started their campaign yet. Either way, this is not good for them as possible Mayors for London and for the citizens who will be voting in my opinion.

When the polls open for citizens (including myself) to vote, who would like my vote? Well either way, you need to earn my vote by working hard and not for yourself or your agenda but for the citizens of London.

As of late, I have been very impressed by Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and her effort towards citizen engagement, like the recent round table discussion and ChangeCamp London events she has attended. I am also very impressed with her efforts towards new concepts, ideas and initiatives like Open Data London.

So far within this elections running, Joe Fontana appears to be DeCicco-Best’s biggest opposition for the position as the Mayor of London. Could this be simply for the fact that others have not started campaigning yet? I am not too sure where other candidates are, but none the less, I am not impressed.

Are you working hard or hardly working? What am I looking for in a Mayor for London? Well, I am looking for the following (and I hope others are too):

  • Someone who has experience and is looking to advance our community for the better while assuring that the City is operating efficiently and effectively while keeping the citizens in mind.
  • Someone who is willing to listen, learn and embrace about new ideas, concepts and strategies to help better the City for more than just “growth”.
  • Someone who will engage and be apart of citizen led events, and join the conversation with other citizens.
  • Someone who is transparent, accountable and willing to step outside of their comfort zone to engage.
  • Most importantly, someone who will give a crap about you, me and other citizens of London, Ontario (and you better start doing it now).

I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks and learning more about the candidates running for Mayor here in London. Are you?