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Candidates for mayor in Sault Ste. Marie have been busy on the campaign trail and issuing press releases. Here's a sampling of what some of them have said recently.
Shoemaker unveils platform, gets endorsement from former mayor
Matthew Shoemaker, candidate for Mayor, officially released his 2022 platform entitled “A Plan for Progress.” The 13-page document was unveiled at a campaign event held at The Machine Shop on Wednesday morning with former Mayor Debbie Amaroso, who endorsed Shoemaker’s bid for the mayor’s chair.
“My platform has been shaped by what I have heard out at the doorsteps, at public events, and in meetings with community groups,” said Shoemaker. “I feel it has a level of detail and thoroughness not previously seen in a local municipal campaign. I am excited to be sharing it with everyone in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Shoemaker’s platform contains key commitments and policy ideas, as well as information on his accomplishments as a councillor. It is organized into areas that include affordability, housing and economic development, mental health and addictions, and enhancing the community’s quality of life.
“People in Sault Ste. Marie know that it’s going to take a real plan with real ideas to move our community forward. Having a fully-formed platform with specific and actionable goals is what sets my campaign apart and is my way of being accountable to voters,” said Shoemaker.
Shoemaker encourages all Sault residents to take the time to review the platform in full on his website..
Ozzie Grandinetti promises return to open government
In his campaign, Ozzie Grandinetti promises to return open, transparent and accountable municipal government. Here's what he had to say in a recent release:
A concern that seems to be raised repeatedly as I knock on doors in every neighbourhood of our city is the need to return to open, transparent and accountable municipal government. Most people that I have talked with me believe that this has been sadly missing in our local government for some time now.
I, too, have seen this change since I was last on council and I believe that we must look at some areas to effect change, including:
- Reopening city hall so that the public can conduct business in person again
- Reviewing the current Agenda Review Committee and process, including making available to the public and sharing council meeting materials earlier in the week
- Holding councillors accountable to responding to their constituents calls and emails and allowing more opportunities for citizen access and input to the council
- Reviewing and updating the City’s Code of Conduct, including the appointment of an Integrity Commissioner
- Commissioning an independent third party forensic financial audit to find efficiencies and ensure value for money is being achieved
- Starting a conversation to appoint an Auditor General to review all aspects of the stewardship of public funds and municipal expenditures
If we want an open, accountable and transparent municipal government, we as a community have to work together to see it happens.
I believe it is possible to reopen city hall. How about you?
I’m Ozzie Grandinetti, and I need your support!
If you are interested in learning more about how we can work together and make our city better, please visit website.
Robert Peace says being mayor should be a full time job, without conflicts
“We are facing many significant issues in Sault Ste. Marie – none of them new to any of us,” says Mayoral Candidate Robert Peace
“On any given day we see the human struggles, le
Yes, like every other city Sault Ste. Marie has its social woes.”
“But we also have our successes,” says Peace. "Labour peace at Algoma Steel in 2022. Successful diverse business ventures. Increased foreign en
As we move forward, we have our dreams – becoming home to the Canada Water Agency, hosting a world-class athletic event, infrastructure renewal, a continued expansion of community-held events, expanded trail systems, and downtown improvements. While we may want to jump on initiatives, we must ensure financial feasibilty and evironmental stewardship before climbing on board
“Unlike my opponent, Ozzie Grandinetti -
“I am here offering the citizens of the Soo my leadership and my commitment. Along with the dedicated staff who help to run this city, I will work with council in the public’s best interest. I will not be running my own business. I will not be working as an employee for another company. I will not be looking to enhance my own private interests while doing business for the city,“ says Peace.
“The role of mayor should not be used as a political stepping stone,“ says Peace. One candidate has had eight years to come up with solutions to the issues I have already discussed. I am told by one of his council colleagues that he primarily only supports his own ideas at City Hall. We do not need egos or partisan politics. That has kept us rooted in the past. In 1942, Queen Street needed a trolley, in 2022 it does not. “
Downtown Sault Ste Marie needs a vision that is viable and realistic. Earlier this year, Local
News outlets (May 2022) cited Ward 3 councillor Matthew Shoemaker as driving the consolidation of our municipal libraries resulting in the closure of the Korah Branch. Area residents are making it an election issue.
“I hear repeated calls for library space at the Northern Community Centre on Goulais Avenue. I already reimagine the space for modernized library services. Shoemaker, in a shortsighted move also scaled back the water splash park in Ward 5 even though most future development will no doubt be in the west. I think there is support by current Ward 5 councillors to revisit that decision. “
“I hear over and over when out on the streets that council hasn't heard the people of this community. I want to hear their ideas, I want to listen to their voices. That is what I have been doing for the past two years.”
“While part-time hours may have worked for those who sat as ward councillors, I strongly believe the current state of our community requires a full-time mayor. Possible for me. Not possible for any of my opponents.”
Just last year (July 2021), during an interview with TVO's Steve Paiken, Donna Hilsinger was asked if she would ever leave the Sault. Her response was: "No, but I might, over time, spend more time away from Sault Ste. Marie."
“We are at a crossroads in Sault Ste. Marie. I will give my full-time attention as a full-time mayor. I am not looking for any additional compensation to the current honorarium,” says Peace. "What I am looking for is community participation, ci