Ian Convey knows that change doesn’t happen by waiting. Rather it takes a bold step and determination to make a difference.
That’s why the 54-year-old lifelong Thunder Bay resident is throwing his hat into the at-large councillor race for the second time.
“If you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem,” the at-large candidate said. “I can sit down with everyone else and whine and complain all day long but that doesn’t fix things. You need to stand up and do something.”
Convey, who ran previously in 2006, is driven to make the city a more attractive place to retain youth and draw professionals.
“There are a lot of issues the city needs to resolve or we’ll decline in population and no one will want to move here, never mind doctors,” Convey said. “I have a 17-year-old daughter and she’s already talking about where she’s going to go to live and work because she feels there won’t be anything here for her.”
The Confederation College graduate and former student union president is adamant a tighter grip is required on the city budget, what he calls a “common cents” strategy.
That means no event centre, at least until there are absolutely no other major issues such as roads or crime prevention that require greater attention.
“We can’t afford it right now,” he said. “I think my money, which I paid into tax coffers in the city, should be spent on things that are services to me and the other taxpayers.”
In addition to the drain on taxpayer dollars, Convey is particularly concerned it would have a significantly negative impact upon other city managed facilities, such as the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
The pub and café owner also believes the next council can’t sit by and let homeless and addiction issues remain on the street.
“I feel it’s our responsibility to force the agencies or the provincial government bodies to do something about it and get these people off the streets and into treatment centres or wherever they can get help,” Convey said.
