THUNDER BAY – Robert Jankovic is a lifelong Thunder Bay resident who wants to make McKellar ward a better place for all.
At the very least he wants residents in the ward to feel like they’ve got a voice, that they’re not being overshadowed by other areas of the city, forgotten when it comes to crime prevention and losing out when major projects are doled out by council and administration.
Jankovic, 35, said the city needs to take a much more preventative approach to crime prevention and help ward off the growing gang problem that’s fighting for control of the city’s lucrative drug trade.
It’s a city-wide problem that requires a city-wide solution, he said, adding he like to see more officers on foot patrolling some of Thunder Bay higher-risk neighbourhoods.
“Crime is not just in certain sectors or hubs. It`s widespread. I hear it at all ends of McKellar,” he said.
But if crime is No. 1 on his list, the state of the city’s infrastructure is a strong second for the first-time candidate and current army reservist.
“I’ve been coast to coast and I’ve seen the country. I’m comfortable saying we have some of the worst roads in terms of pot holes and in terms of road decay,” Jankovic said.
“That’s one piece of it. McKellar has had flood issues. We’ve had sewer issues, so that’s another piece of it,” he said.
Knocking on doors, Jankovic said he’s heard all kinds of concerns, ranging from the inconvenience of calendar parking to the city’s notoriously high residential taxes.
He believes he’s got a relatively simple way to help out with the latter.
“There’s certain thing there that (require) small changes, that don’t have a huge cost impact that we’ll have a better return on tax value,” he said.
Jankovic said Thunder Bay is not Toronto and that’s not a bad thing. It’s better in north, he added.
The city also needs to be realistic when it comes to attracting new businesses to town. At the same time, it must be proactive too.
Jankovic, a regional sales manager by day, agreed the city is on the right path on that front, but must do a better job when it comes to inclusivity.
“It’s making sure (the Indigenous) voice is heard, proportionately, at the table,”Jankovic said.
