Ward 4 Rematch with Greg Thompson and Councillor Stephen Orser
A Good One
While it's much to early to say if Ward Four's Election will only have two candidates, the current match-up would be a dandy. Thompson is very well known in Old East and other parts of Ward 4 for his work in revitalizing East London. He has studiously attended Council meetings for years. And he knows City Hall as well as any non-elected person could.
In 2006 I believe it was only well known Bill Brock's late entry into the race which cancelled the final vote tally from being a nail biter. With Orser included, there were four candidates within about 500 votes of each other that night. The new Ward 4 was created when the old Ward 3 was split in half. Bernie MacDonald took the other seat in the new Ward 3.
Councillor Stephen Orser has done a very good job in staying touch with the needs of the residents of his Ward. He seems to have established his presence at Councill and Committee meetings and he connects with voters on a one-to-one basis that very few Councillors manage to do. He was one of Council's few "blue collar Councillors." Something it sorely lacks.
I've met both men many times and I have respect for their work. I hope the vote isn't split this time in their ward. Thompson and Orser would provide a very good contest for the Ward 4 seat. It would be one in which voters would be encouraged to come out to meetings and ask questions, send email questions to them and call them. We'll see.
