Boshcoff enters at-large race

Saying the public seems to be unnerved and that council could use a little help, former mayor and Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff is throwing his name into the at-large race for next month’s municipal election.

The 61-year-old, who spent 17 years on council and six years as mayor between 1997 and 2003 and holds the Liberal nomination in the federal Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding, earlier this month decided not to make a run at the mayor’s chair, despite rising pressure to do so.

A four-year term as a councilor was a much better fit, he said.

“I feel that with my experience in business, in government and in community I have something that could offer city council to get through the next little while,” Boshcoff said earlier this week.

Though a federal election could call him away from council, Boshcoff said it’s not uncommon for federal candidates to put their name forward, pointing to Mayor Richard Harvey in Nipigon, who last month earned the Conservative nomination in Thunder Bay-Superior North, but will still seek another term at the municipal level.

“There might not be an election for a long time,” Boshcoff said. “I want to stay more involved. I’ve been doing a lot of business stuff, but this will give me a chance to (keep active politically). I have a lot of experience with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and boards and commission. I think council can use a bit of help right now.”

He’s counting on name recognition to help him over the top in an at-large race that had swelled to 12 at press time, not including Boshcoff, who planned to file on Thursday or Friday.

“I sure hope so,” he said. “I hope people will remember some of the things I’ve been involved in.”

Also in the running are incumbents Iain Angus, Larry Hebert and Aldo Ruberto, former councillors Lawrence Timko and Dick Waddington, and first-timers Cindy Crowe, Beatrice Metzler, Gerald Graham, Sharon Ostberg, Syndey Petit, Darren Roberts and Norm Staal.

Coun. Rebecca Johnson is expected to file this week and Coun. Frank Pullia is expected to make a decision on Thursday whether to re-offer at large or take another run for mayor.