Initially published in the Alliston Herald on December 5, 2008
Before Political Cyni-Side appeared on these pages I prepared a list of 20 or so potential topics for a column of this nature. One such topic included an entirely arbitrary list of the "ten" most influential members of our town. Welcome to the first annual "Ten Most Influential".
1. Mayor Mike MacEachern: Although the two term mayor has been the subject of some ribbing on the pages of Mouseland, MacEachern has accomplished more than any mayor in the history of the Town. By virtue of his management style, there is virtually nothing in the manner that New Tecumseth is operated that doesn't have his fingerprints all over it.
2. Joe Sperdutti: "Joe Who?" you ask. Sperdutti is vice-president of administration at Honda of Canada in Alliston and the "face" that most commonly represents Honda in public. More often than not, Honda gets what it wants. In recent years the wish list has included the rapid closure of a major road (Tottenham Road) and the negotiation of favourable water rates.
3. Lou Biffis: There are not many individuals who can pick up the telephone and get the mayor or warden or MP or MPP on the line. I expect Biffis can. Each year Biffis, his family, and staff devote considerable hours to oversee a massive fundraiser on behalf of the Nottawasaga Foundation. Each year a new record seems to be set. The foundation has been a lifeline for many local charities that have benefited from its generosity.
4. Jim Wilson: Our MPP has never lost. He's never even come close. He routinely wins by some of the largest pluralities in the province. He's the most influential conservative in the area and, unlike his federal counterpart, his competence has never been questioned. One builds a great many relationships over the course of an 18-plus year elected career.
5. Jamie Smith: When this Alliston councillor and lawyer speaks at the council table the others stop and listen. Any councillor seeking to engage him in battle does so at their peril. His vocabulary alone is liable to leave 99 per cent (if not more) of the population scratching their heads in wonderment as to whether they had just been insulted.
6. Cassandra DeGrace: The spouse of Mayor MacEachern is his closest confidante and sounding board. No major decision is made without her input. Whereas MacEachern tends to be conciliatory in approach, Degrace has no hesitation expressing her views and opinions in a forceful yet coherent manner.
7. Richard Norcross: Yes, he has been spoofed in the "Mouseland" columns. Nevertheless, if one were to compare the tax revenues generated from his ward with the capital expenditures made in it, the latter would far exceed the former. By that measure alone he has been an extremely effective councillor for Beeton. Further, other than MacEachern, no councillor is more skilled at securing necessary council votes.
8. Hart/Marilyn Holmstrom: There is very little that goes on in this Town that doesn't involve one or more Holmstrom. Their reach extents from the Gibson Centre to the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation to the Lion's Club and the local conservative establishment.
9. Mary Galbraith: The Alliston lawyer and former Ward 2 councillor is one of Mayor MacEachern's most trusted friends and advisors. Beyond the serious exterior, Galbraith has a lethal wit. Although one cannot be certain, she appears to possess a "Who's Who" of New Tecumseth society among her list of clients.
10. Darrin Shannon: Notwithstanding his accomplishments, the former National Hockey League professional and coach of the Alliston Hornets is remarkably humble and widely liked. Although Shannon is not known to publicly express his opinions in relation to town business, he is on the list by virtue of the weight his views would have if/when he decides to do so. I suspect that no name would strike greater fear in an incumbent politician (at any level) than Shannon.
