THUNDER BAY – Mariann Sawicki wants to bring the city together as one.
She feels the best way to accomplish her goal is to do it from the mayor’s chair.
The 52-year-old nurse on Thursday marched into Thunder Bay city hall, plunked down her registration fee and joined Iain Angus and Kevin Cernjul as the third officially declared candidate in the 2018 mayor’s race.
Sawicki, who was pondering jumping into municipal politics a decade ago before beginning a battle with chronic Lyme disease, said she can help make the city a better place.
“I love the city. I’ve lived here all my life, other than two years and I just want to do what’s best for Thunder Bay and bring the community together as one and spread the love,” Sawicki said.
“There’s so much potential here in our city and we have so much to offer and such beauty naturally … We can make a big difference and have what we know we can have in our city.”
A nursing instructor at Lakehead University, Sawicki said public safety is among her top priorities.
There’s no question things have to improve, she said.
“Crime has been a big issue and I feel that maybe by having police officers walking the beat – not they haven’t already – but maybe more so, that might deter people,” Sawicki said.
The political neophyte believes it’s crucial to get to the bottom of the underlying factors behind Thunder Bay crime. Only then can workable solutions be found.
“It could be that people don’t have enough money or are homeless. People don’t have their basic needs. Or there are health issues that could cause them to steal, commit crimes,” Sawicki said.
Sawicki wasn’t the only candidate to file nomination papers on Thursday, Day 2 of the filing period. David George Noonan, who finished runner-up to Brian MacKinnon in 2014, will test the political waters again in Red River Ward.
"I am passionate about the community and neighbourhood I live in. I am running to help improve and grow our city. I want to see Red River Ward get its fair share of infrastructure dollars. I am running for a more sustainable and environmentally prosperous Thunder Bay. We deserve improved safety in our neighbourhoods," Noonan said in a release.
"I want Red River to have a councillor who will stand up for its ward and help push Thunder Bay in a progressive direction. I believe in the potential of our community. With my voice on council we can build a stronger Thunder Bay.”
Coffee shop entrepreneur Brian Hamilton put his name in for McKellar Ward to replace incumbent Paul Pugh, who says he doesn’t plan to run in the Oct. 22 election.
