Mayors seeking one more term

Author: Nicole Million Midland Mirror Jan 27, 2010
MIDLAND – Midland and Penetanguishene’s mayors have both officially tossed their hat into the ring seeking another term of wearing the chain of office.
Midland’s Jim Downer, who officially filed his papers on Jan. 11, said he always intended to run for a second term as mayor. The decision, he noted, was based on a variety of factors.
“There are a lot of things that are undone and I think it’s the best job in the world,” he said. “I love my town. I want to give to the people in it and I want to work as hard as I have in the past 15 years.
“With the co-operation of council, we’ve made some wonderful things happen for our community … and I want to continue that momentum.”
Anita Dubeau has sat in the big chair in Penetanguishene for 10 years and, by the end of 2010, will have served on Penetanguishene council for 19 years.
In a press release earlier this week, Dubeau acknowledged she had not initially intended to run in this election, but the death of her mother and her husband of 46 years prompted her to reconsider.
She said she’s running again – “with the urging of family, friends and residents” – because she still enjoys the job.
“I’ve always been dedicated to the mayor’s office … and I still feel I have that same desire to be dedicated to the position. I still feel I have something to offer.”
Downer, meanwhile, is coming to the end of his first term as mayor. He was first elected in 1994 and spent two three-year terms as a Ward 1 councillor. He was elected deputy mayor in 2000, and won the race for mayor in 2007.
“I would really like another mandate from the people of Midland. There are some special-interests groups that I haven’t made myself too popular with, but I try and do what I think is right for all of the people, not just a handful of people,” he said. “I have an open-door policy at my office. I want people to be able to come in off the street and talk to me about their problems, no matter how small they may seem.”
If re-elected, Downer said he will continue to support the various municipal committees that have been established in recent years, including the trails committee, energy committee and poverty committee.
“That’s the most important,” he said of the poverty committee. “There are some affordable-housing issues and, although it’s not a Town of Midland mandate, we have to find a way to get people to step up to the plate.”
Much like her Midland counterpart, Dubeau said she has several projects she would like to bring to fruition before moving on, including the development of Georgian Village, the rebuilding of Oak Ridge and the continued upgrade of infrastructure projects such as the wastewater treatment plant.
“Budgeting is going to be difficult in the coming years, so we really have to work on priorities,” she said. “The community has started on a lot of good projects, and I would like to be there to see them full circle.”
In Tiny Township, Mayor Peggy Breckenridge has yet to officially declare her intention to run again. However, according to the township’s website, residents Peter E. Davenport and Ray Millar have filed paperwork indicating they intend to run for mayor.
In Tay Township, Scott Warnock announced his intention to run for another term as mayor on Jan. 4, the very first day candidates could register.