THUNDER BAY – As the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay, Albert Aiello has gained keen insight into the issues facing the city’s residents.
No longer willing to sit on the sidelines, in 2018 he decided to file his nomination papers and seek the soon-to-be-vacated McIntyre Ward seat, one of three candidates looking to replace 18-year veteran Trevor Giertuga, who jumped to the at-large race.
Aiello, 52, said everything fell into place allowing him to run, his kids a little older and less dependent on father, while also getting the approval of his board of directors to seek elected office.
“I have 29 years experience working with the city, trying to better the Boys and Girls Club and I’ve seen issues arise. I’ve been part of good decisions, bad decisions, and I continue to fight for what I believe is right,” Aiello said.
“It’s a way of contributing back. I’ve always dedicated myself to community service and to making Thunder Bay a better place, particularly for children and youth, and I just want to continue that work on into the community.”
Aiello said McIntyre is not only the largest ward, it’s also the fastest growing. The issues are often complex, from chip-and-seal road issues in the more rural areas of the ward, to community safety in the more urban areas.
“I’m learning every day and I’m talking to the people, which I think is important. I’m getting a good handle on the issues and what concerns people, and it would be a privilege to be their voice at council,” Aiello said.
Asked about what council could do to initiate community safety in McIntyre, Aiello said it depends on where one resides.
In some areas, thinning out trees and adding lights along trails should be the priority.
“I see that as a pretty simple thing,” he said.
Elsewhere it could be speed bumps, designed to slow traffic down.
“Speeding is an issue on some streets. And then again, we have the whole Dawson Road safety issue and the warning lights that people have really wanted for a very long time,” Aiello said, acknowledging the city would need co-operation from the Ministry of Transportation.
“Some things I believe are simple fixes, some things are more complicated, but overall everybody has a right to be safe and feel safe, wherever they live.”
The municipal election is on Oct. 22, with advance Internet and telephone voting beginning on Oct. 9
