THUNDER BAY – David Tommasini, like many others, was frustrated during the pandemic.
He watched as stores like Walmart remained open, but small businesses were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
When his kids asked why the disparity, Tommasini didn’t have an answer.
At least not one that made any sense to him.
As he searched for the answers, the picture became clear – become part of the solution and work that change from within.
The Westfort candidate said if he’s elected in 2022, he wants to stand up for the little guy.
“I have a son in university and my daughters are on their way, but at the same time, I’d like to show them an example that maybe common people can stand up and try to make a difference in the city. This is why I’m standing up and why I ran for the New Blue [Party],” said Tommasini, a candidate in the recent provincial election in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
Safety for families and children in Westfort, taxation and bringing more jobs to the city are his top priorities moving forward.
“It’s really important to me and employment is really important to me. The rest of the world is going crazy and hopefully we don’t put any more onus on the citizens, to the taxpayers. I really don’t like that idea, because it’s coming down so heavy – the groceries and the gas price and everything else has gone crazy,” he said.
“Hopefully the city doesn’t follow suit with that and if I can say no to a few things – because I’m sure they’re going to try to stronghold me into that – I’ll say no when it’s time to say no. I just want to be right and do right.”
That said, Tommasini isn’t opposed to an indoor turf facility, but said it doesn’t need to come with a price tag in the tens of millions of dollars.
“It’s a good idea. I like promoting sports. But the thing is, can the taxpayer afford it? I don’t know where they’re getting the funding for it, but if the funding is there and we can get other funding for other spots, like maybe the casino … maybe we can utilize that toward the facility.”
Tommasini said he knows full well the extent of crime in the city and said he’ll push for more police officers on the street.
“If you leave your car door open, everything is going to be missing. I actually got my car stolen. But at the same time, I think we need more policing. I think we’re not funding them enough,” he said.
New blood is never a bad thing and Tommasini believes he brings a number of qualities to the Westfort race that could serve residents well.
“I’m logical and … logic is not on the table very often. It’s a lot of emotions and I prefer to see more logical answers instead of emotional answers.”
