Tony Guergis steps into TV spotlight

By IAN MCINROY, BARRIE EXAMINER November 25 2010
From the political limelight to the television spotlights of a studio.
Springwater Township Mayor Tony Guergis will soon be on the other side of the camera and microphone when his weekly live call-in show airs on Rogers TV beginning Jan. 4, 2011.
Guergis will wear the mayor’s chain of office for the last time during the inaugural meeting of the new council on Dec. 6, when he hands over the reins to mayor-elect Linda Collins.
Guergis is looking forward to hosting the local talk show and giving viewers a chance to air their points of view.
“One of my focuses in politics has been to improve communication,” he said. “I want to give people an opportunity to get their opinions out there and get them engaged in the process.
“That’s the job of public television.”
Guergis said he will tap into some of the contacts he’s made during his career as a politician.
He was first elected mayor in 2006 after serving as deputy mayor from 2003 to 2006, and was a township councillor for Ward 4 from 2000 to 2003.
He was also Simcoe County warden for an unprecedented three consecutive terms in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
“I’m going to try to cover stuff that is controversial,” Guergis said. “I’ll have guests covering a range of important issues people want to hear about.”
Those topics could be of a local, regional and national nature.
Guergis doesn’t mind the role reversal of being part of the media, instead of being the subject of it.
“I’ve relied on media to help us, as public officials, to inform and educate residents,” he said. “And I am honoured to be a part of the Rogers family.”
Tony Guergis Live will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m.