Whew! Williams challenges mayor for top spot
A sign of relief could be heard across Cobourg as Councillor Lloyd Williams announced he will take on incumbent mayor, Peter Delanty, for the top job.
It will truly be a David and Goliath battle, but Williams is one of the few people who can mount a serious, credible challenge to Delanty, who was acclaimed three years ago.
With 12-years experience on Cobourg council and 23 years on Hamilton Township council, most of them as Reeve, there is no lack of municipal political knowledge and leadership skills. While Delanty is more of a personality and well-known for his love of public relations over policy, Williams is more of a nuts and bolts guy with substantial understanding of municipal process and history. This is far too often not respected. Yet, Williams is good with people and has an excellent manner. He sometimes gives more information than needed, only because he understand the complexity of issues and refused to oversimplify or talk down to people.
Still, Delanty is in a very weak position. His handling (or mishandling) of the Cobourg Police Service and his desire to bring in the OPP is a crucial issue. Williams sat on the police services board, and while he faced a horrific time, he is one of the few politicians the police association and officers respect. This will give him huge leverage. Delanty refused to comment and commented only rarely. Many people feel he was missing in action.
The senior's complex proposal is also another weak spot for Delanty. He and Councillor Gil Brocanier figured they had a sure fire way to win lots of votes when they proposed a new multi-million dollar building on the east side of Cobourg. There was little preparation, no homework, no studies, a dicey budget and the pair stumbled along like Laurel and Hardy unable to sustain the backlash of criticism from people wanting looking for some rationale and answers. Now, the whole thing is put over as a needs study is being done. Delanty will not be able to shake off this misguided attempt to score easy political points.
The lack of openness on council and the poor behaviour of council when dealing with the public will also be a key factor. Williams is good with public submissions and listens when most on council shut out critics. Delanty is known for his backroom approach and there are a slate of candidates running on this issue alone.
Finally, there is a sense of staleness with the council. Voters are fed up with the current council with many of them serving for more than three terms. While Williams is one of those, he is running for a job that requires experience and the public expects it. He will be a new face at the helm. Meanwhile the rest of council may be under threat because Cobourg citizens are fed up.
Cobourg residents should be counting their blessings Williams has stepped up. If his courage in taking on Delanty, whom many thought was going to be acclaimed again, is any indication William may have the right stuff to bring down the giant.
It will truly be a David and Goliath battle, but Williams is one of the few people who can mount a serious, credible challenge to Delanty, who was acclaimed three years ago.
With 12-years experience on Cobourg council and 23 years on Hamilton Township council, most of them as Reeve, there is no lack of municipal political knowledge and leadership skills. While Delanty is more of a personality and well-known for his love of public relations over policy, Williams is more of a nuts and bolts guy with substantial understanding of municipal process and history. This is far too often not respected. Yet, Williams is good with people and has an excellent manner. He sometimes gives more information than needed, only because he understand the complexity of issues and refused to oversimplify or talk down to people.
Still, Delanty is in a very weak position. His handling (or mishandling) of the Cobourg Police Service and his desire to bring in the OPP is a crucial issue. Williams sat on the police services board, and while he faced a horrific time, he is one of the few politicians the police association and officers respect. This will give him huge leverage. Delanty refused to comment and commented only rarely. Many people feel he was missing in action.
The senior's complex proposal is also another weak spot for Delanty. He and Councillor Gil Brocanier figured they had a sure fire way to win lots of votes when they proposed a new multi-million dollar building on the east side of Cobourg. There was little preparation, no homework, no studies, a dicey budget and the pair stumbled along like Laurel and Hardy unable to sustain the backlash of criticism from people wanting looking for some rationale and answers. Now, the whole thing is put over as a needs study is being done. Delanty will not be able to shake off this misguided attempt to score easy political points.
The lack of openness on council and the poor behaviour of council when dealing with the public will also be a key factor. Williams is good with public submissions and listens when most on council shut out critics. Delanty is known for his backroom approach and there are a slate of candidates running on this issue alone.
Finally, there is a sense of staleness with the council. Voters are fed up with the current council with many of them serving for more than three terms. While Williams is one of those, he is running for a job that requires experience and the public expects it. He will be a new face at the helm. Meanwhile the rest of council may be under threat because Cobourg citizens are fed up.
Cobourg residents should be counting their blessings Williams has stepped up. If his courage in taking on Delanty, whom many thought was going to be acclaimed again, is any indication William may have the right stuff to bring down the giant.
posted by Robert Washburn at
8:36 AM
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