The Better Voter Series: This week on the campaign trail…

And then there were four ... mayoral candidates

Four fringe mayoral candidates were knocked out of the race this week after failing to gather 250 registered voter signatures before the 4:30 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Avery Petrowski, Nancy Thomas, Ed Ackerman and Ron Dyck all failed to make the cut, though Ackerman challenged the disqualification, as reported in the Winnipeg Free Press. Petrowski told the paper that the 70 signatures he was short are likely young voters who are not yet registered.  The Oct. 27 ballot will see incumbent mayor Sam Katz officially face off against Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Rav Gill and Brad Gross.

Lazarenko officially not seeking re-election

As many predicted after he suffered an aneurysm last May, Harry Lazarenko, city councillor for the Mynarski ward, officially announced he will not be running in this fall’s election. After representing the North End area for over 30 years, retiring was not easy. “I want to express how difficult a decision it was for me to vacate the position I have held for so long, but it is time that I put my health and family ahead of politics and enjoy time with my loved ones,” Lazarenko told the Winnipeg Sun. His successor will be either Ross Eadie, Greg Littlejohn, Jenny Motkaluk, Trevor Mueller, John Petrinka or David Polsky who are all vying for the seat.  Mynarski is one of four wards that will not see an incumbent re-elected.

Wasylycia-Leis unveils ‘green plan’; Katz has been there, done that

Late last week, former MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis announced her environmental platform in the mayoral race. Included in her plans for a greener Winnipeg are grants to community organizations, a tree pruning cycle and aid to businesses to help provide bike racks for patrons and employees, the Winnipeg Free Press reported.  Also, Wasylycia-Leis aims to re-establish a formal environment committee on city council. She also made commitments to push ahead rapid transit and city environmental studies. Mayor Sam Katz reacted to the announcement by telling reporters that Wasylycia-Leis is essentially supporting what his administration is already doing in regards to tree care, community gardens and cycling.

Published in Volume 65, Number 5 of The Uniter (September 30, 2010)

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