THUNDER BAY – Unlike most of the first-time candidates in Thunder Bay’s at-large race, Mark Figliomeni brings plenty of political experience to the table.
Figliomeni was twice elected mayor in Schreiber, noting that weeks after entering office in 2010 the Northern Ontario community was faced with bankruptcy, a situation he and council were able to successful maneuver away from and put the single-industry town back on track.
It’s that kind of background he believes will serve him well in Thunder Bay, a city he recently relocated to with his wife and five daughters, four of whom are completing their post-secondary education at either Lakehead University or Confederation College.
While he’s a political neophyte in Thunder Bay, the 46-year-old said many of the issues he dealt with in Schreiber are similar to those facing his new hometown.
“(I’m) a fresh face, a face that comes into the city with his eyes wide open wanting to help and also brings that experience. I think it’s one of those factors that I’m hoping will carry me a long way. It’s one of those things I think is important,” Figliomeni said.
He added he’s a quick learner, and though he might not be versed on all the issues facing Thunder Bay, he’s been asking a lot of questions on the campaign trail, questioning both current city councillors and residents on the needs of the city.
“We’re a regional base area and as mayor of Schreiber, you are quite aware of what’s going on around the region as well and you study and learn and talk to the people ... You do quite quickly hear what the issues are and how you can tackle those.”
Fiscal responsibility and community safety are the two issues that come up the most, followed by figuring out a way to grow Thunder Bay’s economy to create a better quality of life.
The city needs to look carefully at its bottom line, Figliomeni said.
“As you move along, you’re going to have to make some very tough decisions. You can’t look at it from the aspect that you’ve always done it that way,” he said. “You have to think sometimes outside the box in order to move your city forward – or any organization.
“Because the city is a business and you have to run it that way to make smart financial decisions.”
Figliomeni added he’s happy to be the change voters want.
“As you look through the same lens for too long of a time, the lens gets blurry. And a lot of people are looking for that positive change and that new type of thinking on council.”
