Count Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini among those who were not impressed by Mayor Brian Bigger's inaugural address last week, intended to kick off the new four-year term.
There was a lot in the speech he didn't like, but Bigger's decision to bring in former Liberal cabinet minister Rick Bartolucci was particularly troublesome for Vagnini.
Bigger announced Bartolucci would be a liaison between city staff and private developers trying to get approvals for projects. Bigger announced the new position during the October municipal election campaign and said at the time the position would be a paid one, with costs divided between the city and developers.
But when he announced last week Bartolucci would be the liaison, he said it would be an unpaid position.
Either way, Vagnini wonders why a liaison is necessary when there are city managers in place to do the job, such as planning director Jason Ferrigan and building controls director Guido Mazza. Bringing Bartolucci on board as well is a slap in the face to staff, he said.
“Maybe I don't understand it properly,” he said. “But I really believe they are the people that actually are supposed to be developing the relationships with the the developers. So now we're bringing another layer in? To do what?
“Those are our senior managers. Those are our directors and now you're going to bring a liaison in? If we bring that person in (the liaison) does that mean they're not doing their job? If I was in that position, I'd say why didn't you come to me and say we have an issue?”
Aside from that, Vagnini wonders how having such a high-profile member of the previous Liberal government will play at Queen's Park, where Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives are now in power. With Tory members to the east in North Bay and to the west in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury is putting itself at a further disadvantage.
“I believe that we're going to look at us and they're going to say this is a Liberal community,” Vagnini said. “We've already seen it where North Bay receives some funds, they sprinkle a little bit over Sudbury, and then it went right to the Sault … Now we're going to have Mr. Bartolucci in there? That's going to make it difficult to work with a Tory government.”
In response, a release from Bigger on Monday afternoon said Bartolucci has friends in all political camps.
"It's a shame Mr. Vagnini feels that way about a local leader who has brought literally billions of dollars to Sudbury,” Bigger is quoted as saying in the release. “Rick was a great municipal and provincial politician and still enjoys a lot of friendships and connections across party lines.
“Perhaps Michael could engage Rick about his role, even consider using his expertise to learn how to navigate today's complex government landscape?”
Bigger also said a unified city council will be key over the next four years as the city faces a host of challenges.
“In order to benefit Greater Sudbury's interests, we all need to work together,” he said. “Teamwork will be the cornerstone of our success during the next four years."
