Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Mayoral candidates debate for one final time before election:
The finish line is in sight as the debate schedule wound to a close in the mayoral race Thursday evening. The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) Sudbury chapter hosted the debate at the Parkside Centre on Durham Street. Candidates were questioned based on a survey of older adults that was circulate prior to the debate. Questions in the survey included keeping municipal taxes close to the rate of inflation, completion of the Maley Drive project, expanded gambling in the city, the affects of large developments such as the KED and casino on the city's watersheds, providing more autonomy to former municipalities, and lowering the age limit for adults who use the older adult centre. If you didn't get a chance to catch Thursday's debate, you can watch it here.
Cacciotti is best choice, Matichuk says:
Former mayor Marianne Matichuk says she's backing Cody Cacciotti for mayor in the Oct. 22 election. “If you're very fortunate in your life, you will meet someone who has the rare qualities to be a great mayor,” said Matichuk, who is managing Cacciotti's campaign. “There's only one choice for me.” Speaking at Beard's, the coffee bar in the Donovan, Matichuk praised owners Mark Browning and Jessica Nadel, who also operate Tucos Tacos Lounge and Cosmic Dave's music shop. “This is an example of local economic development that has transformed the Donovan area and provided jobs, as well as outstanding food,” she said. “Let's not forget the food.” She said she has “remained silent” in the four years since she left office, but said Cacciotti convinced her to speak out. “It is time that our city moves forward by electing a mayor who represents our citizens and listens to their needs,” she said. “A mayor who will work with our community to develop economic opportunities to provide jobs in their areas. “Our city is unsustainable with our current population and huge land mass of over 4,700 square kilometers. Taxes will continue to rise unless we provide jobs and increase our population. “The candidate who resonates with me who, in my opinion will make a great mayor, is Cody Cacciotti.” Full story can be found here.
Mayoral candidates asked about firefighting service in Beaver Lake:
The Beaver Lake Fire Services Committee has some questions for the 11 candidates running to become mayor of Greater Sudbury. The fire station in Beaver Lake has provided emergency and fire services to the Beaver Lake and Worthington communities at a volunteer service level for more than 40 years. However, the number of volunteer firefighters at the station has dropped from 11 in 2015 to only three today. A press release said the Beaver Lake fire station is the only one located along the Highway 17 West corridor, and covers an area stretching about 20 kilometres along the TransCanada Highway. The community is also concerned that there are no firefighters available during the daytime hours from the Beaver Lake Fire Station, or the next closest, Whitefish Fire Station. Find more on this story here.
Election recap for October 11:
Greater Sudbury mayoral candidate Patricia Mills promises to keep tax increases at or below the rate of inflation for the next four years if she's elected. Mills is critical of how the current mayor — Brian Bigger — has managed the city’s finances. In the past four years, property taxes increased by almost 13 per cent, operating budgets went up 12 per cent, user fees are up 14 per cent and water charges increased by 27 per cent. To put that in perspective, the average yearly rate of inflation for the past four years was lower than three per cent. “This is what happens when you don’t set clear targets. My target will be to try and keep taxes at the rate of inflation,” she said, in a press release. Ward 11 councillor candidate Kevin Lalonde said because voting in this municipal election is fully online, it's a test as to just how interested millennials are in voting. This election is geared toward millennials' “electronic everything” lifestyle, he said. “Millennials statistically are vocal when it comes to displaying their concerns but still are the one group that fails to show up when the civic duty of voting,” Lalonde said. “This election will be the millennials' test of where their power lies. Will they use it? Or let it pass them by again? I think a voter turnout of around 60 per cent would indicate they are ready to take charge.” Ward 5 incumbent Robert Kirwan is encouraging voters to consider voting for their incumbents because of the knowledge that comes with experience. Most of the incumbents were voted in only four years ago, and are only becoming experienced municipal politicians now, he said. “The time for change was in 2014, and voters certainly did show this at the polls,” Kirwan said. “But you need to give councillors time to gain experience and knowledge so that they can be the agents of change they were elected to become. If you make changes again so soon, is this really in the best interests of your ward or of the city?” He adds that after the election this month, there will be a maximum of one member of council who has been in place longer than four years. “If that person is not re-elected, there will be no members who have served for longer than four years,” Kirwan said. "Knowledge means everything when it comes to your ward councillor." You can get caught up with all of your election news at Sudbury.com's election page.
Sudbury's Josée Forest-Niesing appointed to Senate:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is appointing Sudbury lawyer Josee Forest-Niesing and Mi'kmaq leader Brian Francis from Prince Edward Island to the Senate. Forest-Niesing lives in Sudbury where she has specialized in family law, civil litigation and employment cases while serving as an active member of the local francophone community. Francis is the high-profile chief of the Abegweit First Nation on PEI's northern coast and has served in a variety of positions, including with the federal fisheries department as a contact for local First Nations. The two are the latest senators to be appointed through the open nomination process created by Trudeau, who has now appointed 45 independent members to the Red Chamber. Forest-Niesing and Francis are expected to sit as either independent or non-affiliated members. The Independent Senators Group currently represents the largest bloc in the chamber with 47 members; there are also 31 Conservatives, 10 independent Liberals, 11 who are not affiliated with any group and four vacancies.
New name, same game: Sudbury Rocks!!! names new beneficiaries:
The Sudbury Rocks Marathon will return in 2018, with the usual venue and organized by the usual suspects, but there are a few significant changes. Since 2004, the marathon has raised more than $600,000 for Diabetes Canada. Now, participants will be raising funds for two new beneficiaries — the Health Sciences North Foundation and the Northern Cancer Foundation. Vince Perdue, promotions director for the marathon, said the group has had a very positive experience with Diabetes Canada, but they felt they were missing a local aspect to the fundraising. “Several years ago, we talked about finding a good local partner that would be valuable for us and the community,” Perdue said at a press conference to announce the new partnerships. “Our race has always been about fitness in the community. My first thought was Health Sciences North, and through those discussions, we also thought about the Northern Cancer Foundation, and we started the ball rolling.” Both foundations do tremendous work to improve the health of Sudburians. For the cancer foundation, it's something that has touched just about everyone's lives.
Wolves look to keep rolling as they return home:
Sudbury Wolves hockey returns to the Sudbury Arena this Friday night as the Pack look to extend their five game winning streak when they host division rivals, the Barrie Colts at 7:05 p.m. The Wolves are coming off an outstanding road trip where they won three games against the Niagara IceDogs, Erie Otters and Kitchener Rangers which puts them at the top of the league. Sunday, the Wolves face-off against the Niagara IceDogs for a matinee match-up at 3:05 p.m.
Friday Weather:
Rain showers will subside today, but the temperature is going to drop dramatically. Mix of sun and cloud for Friday with a high of just 6. Chances of a few showers overnight with the low dropping to -1. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
