Greater Sudbury mayoral candidate Evelyn Dutrisac became the second mayoral candidate to open a campaign office today by celebrating its grand opening this afternoon.
During the gathering at 174 Elgin St. today, campaign volunteer and a lifelong friend of Dutrisac, Mary Michasiw, told Sudbury.com it’s to be an inclusive environment for people to learn more about the campaign, ask questions and provide input.
“She’s about family and community, and that’s what I want people to know,” Michasiw said. “She listens to people .. and it doesn't matter what level you’re at in terms of where you’re established in the community … you still have value, and that’s what she brings to people.”
As Dutrisac listened and her eyes welled up with emotion, Michasiw relayed that her mayoral candidate of choice has been “tenacious” since her school days and has always stood up for what she believes in.
“She’s been part of everything, and she has great compassion for people,” she said. “We want her office to say that about here, so it’s very welcoming.”
The office will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, during which time volunteers will be available to answer questions.
In the event residents wish to speak with Dutrisac directly, there will be cards available for them to fill out with questions which Dutrisac will use to phone them back when she has a chance.
The office can also be contacted by email at [email protected] or by phone at 705-665-0668. Her campaign website is evelynformayor.ca.
The campaign’s going well, Dutrisac told Sudbury.com, adding that she’s been to quite a few events lately, including such community gatherings as Ribfest, Valley East Days and the Labour Day festivities.
“My goal is to meet as many people as I can … and to listen to them,” she said, adding that day-to-day issues such as taxation and the cost of living are the main things she has been hearing from people.
“The day-to-day things, and they’re concerned about homeless and opioids and housing,” she said. “Those are the three major issues I’m hearing.”
Eliminating so-called “red tape” to spur greater development and finding financial efficiencies through actions such as zero-based budgeting also highlight her pledges thus far.
During her official platform launch at the Caruso Club last month, she pledged a vision for her first 100 days in office and pledged toward “Making Greater Sudbury greater,” which will include better uniting 25 communities.
Dutrisac is the second mayoral candidate to open a campaign office, and follows the opening of Paul Lefebvre’s office at 450 Notre Dame Ave. Unit 106 on Sept. 1.
Mayor Brian Bigger, who is seeking re-election, told Sudbury.com earlier this week that he doesn’t plan on opening an office this time around.
“There’s a lot of effort in setting up a campaign office,” he said. “Really, it’s a place where your campaign team meets, but there’s never a ton of traffic in through any campaign office.
“I’m out in the public, I’m everywhere … and at this point in time, I think that’s fine.”
There are nine mayoral candidates vying for the seat in the Oct. 24 civic election, for which electronic voting commences Oct. 14, paper ballot advance polling opportunities are available Oct. 15 and Oct. 22, and 27 vote anywhere locations will be set up on election day itself. A full rundown of voting opportunities can be found by clicking here.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
