Initially published in the Alliston Herald on July 31, 2008
Although the next municipal election is but a dot on the horizon for the vast majority of the public, the unofficial race to be the next mayor is, believe it or not, underway.
According to insiders, the likelihood of incumbent Mayor Mike MacEachern seeking a third term after 13 years on council is extremely remote. Rumours persist that he seeks a change and will ultimately pursue a federal or provincial nomination as a liberal.
This perception has resulted in some scurrying for position. The first off the mark is none other than Deputy Mayor Rick Milne. Yes, this is the same Milne who announced before the last election that he intended to run for deputy mayor and that this would be his final pursuit of elected office. The timing of this announcement was odd (some would argue tactless) in that it occurred at the ground breaking ceremony for the new arena.
Milne has an almost crusader-like zeal to regain the office that he held from 1988-1991 (pre-amalgamation) and 1994-1997. His belief that he could not defeat MacEachern kept him out of the race in 2003 although he was briefly poised to enter the fray when MacEachern voted against the new arena. When MacEachern reversed this position, Milne’s hopes of securing the powerful “hockey crowd” dissipated and he decided against the jump.
Milne’s Achilles heel will undoubtedly be his cozy relationship with Al Duffy, the principal spokesperson for the development of a 50,000-person city between Alliston and Beeton (the Capucitti proposal), and his previous public statements in support of developers and major developments. In 2003 Milne actively supported the Capucitti proposal in spite of widespread and passionate opposition.
The fact that he was re-elected by a healthy margin speaks volumes to his popularity and depth of support. Notwithstanding that support there is zero prospect that Milne will be acclaimed. His history and perceived “baggage” will ensure competition. Although no one has “informally” declared, frequent letter writer and rugby aficionado Gord McInnis is reported to have expressed interest. Local realtor Irving Newman has advised some that he is being pressed by certain members of the downtown Alliston business community to take the plunge.
Coun. Dennis Egan has long been identified as a potential candidate for the mayor’s chair too. The Green Briar/Briar Hill community, which makes up the majority of Egan’s ward, is a powerful and largely homogenous voting block that has historically provided Egan significant support.
However, Egan’s failed “power play” of earlier this year when he resigned from all of the town committee, has damaged his credibility and arguably rendered him a eunuch at the council table.
There are many who would like to see Alliston Coun. Jamie Smith enter the contest. Whereas Smith clearly has the ability to excel in the position, one questions whether he has the stomach to perform the many public and social functions expected of a mayor.
Beeton Coun. Richard Norcross wants to move up. Although there are some who have encouraged Norcross to pursue the mayor’s office, it seems far more likely that he will seek the position vacated by Milne.
Finally, one can never rule out a member of the Guergis family when it comes to seeking higher office. Given that Alliston Counc. Christine Brayford shares that unique genetic code, she must necessarily remain on the radar screen.
