The London Beat London, Ontario’s stream of consciousness
Ward 13 Councillor Tanya Park was at the London Food Incubator in the Old East Village on Friday, and announced that she will be running for Mayor in the upcoming municipal election.
The announcement came one week after London Mayor Matt Brown said that he won’t seek re-election. Park joins former councillor Stephen Orser, former police board chair Paul Paolatto, and businessman Paul Cheng on the mayoral candidates list.
Park has stated publicly in the past that she was not interested in running for the position, but addressed the change of heart on Friday:
“What made me decide I was going to run was the harassment allegations at city hall,” Park said. “I saw a real lack of leadership from council during that time, and took the bull by the horns,” she said.
When asked about the upcoming election’s hot button – the city’s bus rapid transit plan – she was careful to be supportive, “This current council has made the best BRT plan possible to date.”
“But I’m entirely open to improving upon the current plan,” Park added. “If there are things to make this plan better to meet the needs of Londoners, then I would have to do so,” she said.
All four announced candidates have plans to either to change the BRT plan, or scrap it completely.
Park didn’t waste the opportunity to come out swinging, “From what I’ve seen from the other mayoral candidates, they all lack real vision and a lack of knowledge about how the municipal sector works.”
“If you don’t have that base to know how the municipality operates, then I have big fears for London if we have that as our leader.”
Let the games begin.
