THUNDER BAY – At least two incumbent city councillors aren’t wasting any time launching their re-election bids.
Both Northwood Coun. Shelby Ch’ng and Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm have confirmed their intentions to officially file their nominations to run again in their respective wards on Tuesday, the first day candidates for mayor, council or school board trustee can register for this fall’s Ontario's municipal elections.
Ch’ng, the only first-term councillor currently at the table, is ready to expand on the experience she has been building since taking office.
“The first four years I really spent learning the ropes. I think that’s really important for any new councillor to do,” Ch’ng said after Monday night’s meeting. “I think my next four years, hopefully if I’m re-elected, I’d like to focus more on business generation.”
Rydholm has represented Neebing for five terms, four consecutively since 2003.
“Four generations of my family have lived in Neebing,” Rydholm said. “I know the ward extremely well, enjoy the people very much.”
Both of the councillors acknowledged they did consider entering other races but each had their own reasons for seeking re-election in their wards.
“I’d certainly discussed it with people,” Ch’ng said of the thought of running for mayor.
“I’m a full-time business owner. I really enjoy being a business owner in Thunder Bay. I employ people and there are people counting on me for employment so I really had to consider what I wanted to do. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t consider anything else the following term, should I still have the energy and the willpower to do it.”
Rydholm said she enjoys the energy in the ward, which represents a vast geographic area that includes relatively new subdivisions as well as rural neighbourhoods.
“The options are there this year to possibly decide to run at-large, possibly run for mayor or just retire,” Rydholm said. “However, I really enjoy the work and I like Neebing. I really do.”
McKellar Paul Pugh earlier Monday announced he will not be seeking re-election. McIntyre Coun. Trevor Giertug, who has held that seat for 18 years, has indicated he intends to run at-large, though he will not be officially filing his candidacy on Tuesday. The intentions of Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon and Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds have not been declared.
