Beth McLellan Ward 21 candidate

Council candidate takes on current rep Joe Mihevc
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Sept. 16)

Candidate Beth McLellan decided rather than complain to challenge incumbent Councillor Joe Mihevc. Photo courtesy of Beth McLellan.

St. Paul’s resident Beth McLellan felt compelled to run for council despite warnings the odds are stacked against her.
“I threw my hat in the ring September 3,” said the Ward 21 candidate. “So many people are complaining in our ward saying they were unhappy and (yet) they said absolutely no one could beat Joe Mihevc.”
While aware that beating any incumbent is no easy task, McClellan said she’s ready for the challenge.
“I have been handing out flyers,” she said. “I am going to businesses and homes and talking to people.”
McLellan said she’s not happy with the way city hall spends money, including allowing city employees to ring up millions in credit card charges with little accountability. She noted the price tag for the St. Clair Right-of Way grew exponentially during construction.

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Howard Moscoe recalls political career

Veteran councillor bows out after 31 years at city hall
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Sept.16)

Howard Moscoe says goodbye to city politics. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

Councillor Howard Moscoe hasn’t shied away from controversy, humour or creative ways to achieve change in his 31 years as a politician.
“I found in politics humour is a significant tool,” he said from his city hall office Sept. 16. “Humour is a way of focusing ideas. You also have to enjoy this job and have fun.”
But all good things must come to and end so he’s not seeking re-election.
“It’s not that I haven’t loved the job. And I still have as much excitement about doing it as I used to have but it seems to be the perfect time to move on,” said the Ward 15 rep.
Moscoe has never lost a city election since he was first voted in, in 1978. About two thirds of his career was served under former mayor Mel Lastman both in the old city of North York and then the amalgamated City of Toronto.
In fact one of his stand out moments was after Lastman got hair plugs and auctioned off his old toupee to charity. Moscoe bought the toupee and used it to dust his seat in North York council chambers.
It’s vintage Moscoe. 

Liz West candidate Ward 30

Journalist makes a run for politics
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Sept. 11.)

Council candidate Liz West is taking on Paula Fletcher in Ward 30. Photo courtesy of Liz West.

Broadcast reporter Liz West wants to trade in the microphone for a seat on city council.
The Toronto-Danforth candidate is running in Ward 30 against incumbent Paula Fletcher.
“I’m a working mom, a taxpayer and local resident. I’m just as disillusioned as my neighbours with city hall,” said West, who is currently a freelance journalist with a makeover show on Cosmo TV.
She’s put her broadcast career on hold while she campaigns for public office. The fact she’s been an on-air reporter for 15 years with City News, CP24 and Canada AM gives her a certain level of name recognition and visibility, she said. But so does the fact she is a local resident.
“I’m pretty visible in the community,” West said Sept. 10 in between campaigning. “I’ve been in the area for 12 years. I shop locally. I have two young kids and when you have young kids you are mixing with other families. I am out using the parks.”

Gary Walsh Ward 30 candidate

Kris Scheuer
(Written Sept. 11 for Town Crier.)

Gary Walsh is running for his third attempt to be elected as a city councillor. Photo courtesy of Gary Walsh.

Gary Walsh is not happy with the representation of Councillor Paula Fletcher in Ward 30, so he’s running against her.
“I am running against Paula Fletcher. She is part of (Mayor) David Miller and the NDP cartel. And these people have to be stopped and sent packing and sent to power detox,” Walsh said.
“There’s been a total mismanagement of the city,” said the former paramedic who drives a taxi part time. “I am particularly annoyed at the Tuggs deal in the Beaches.”
He’s referring to city council’s approval of a 20-year sole source contract to George Foulidis owner of Tuggs Inc. that runs the Boardwalk Café in the Beaches.
He repeatedly called the city government corrupt in an interview from city hall Sept. 10.