By Pepper Parr
September 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Peter Rusin met with Clerk Angela Morgan this afternoon and paid the fee to file papers that would see his name on the ballot on October 27th as a candidate for the office of Mayor.
Rusin preparing his nomination papers.
Rusin had to scoot to the second floor a couple of times to clear things with the Committee of Adjustment, where he is a backup member.
With the papers signed and a map of the city under his arm and a voters list and the election rules in hand Rusin was ready to hit the streets – right?
Not quite. After getting the paper work done Rusin told the Gazette that he would be meeting with his team and would make a statement before the weekend.
Rusin at city hall – a place he expects to spend much of his time at – he said he believes he can maintain some of his work in the real estate business as well as serve as Mayor.
In the few minutes we had with the candidate we learned that he wants to see changes made at many levels. “There is no vision for this city” said Rusin. “We need to bring new jobs and we need to bring new ideas to the council table”, he added.
“The Mayor has a lot of explaining to do” said Rusin “and I am looking forward to asking questions on behalf of the people of this city.
And for the moment – that was it. Rusin did say that he told his wife he was going to run two weeks ago – so this wasn’t an idea he came up with while reading his morning newspaper over a cup of coffee.
Rusin is the father of three children; he is in the real estate business and does a fair amount of work in the expropriation field, where he represents government agencies.
He is listed as an agent with Royal Lepage.
Peter Rusin has 47 days to tell his story.
It didn’t take long for others to form opinions. “He can’t win. Started too late, people don’t know him and residents won’t elect someone perceived to be too close to major development interests. The perception that he is will not help him.”
We can expect others to make similar comments – but until we flesh out just who Peter Rusin is and how he would lead this city – perhaps we should listen to what the man has to say.
In the next few weeks we will learn how popular or appreciated Mayor Rick Goldring is and if people are content with the leadership he has shown.
Some might feel this election is the Mayor’s to lose. Asking Rusin what he would do needs to go along with asking what Mayor Goldring has done.
With two candidates in the race Burlington will be given the opportunity to hear Goldring defend his record. He hasn’t had to do that up until now.
It would appear that the only people who comment, or the only ones yuou publish, are the discontented. To Stephen White, it should be noted that the Performing Arts Centre was approved and constructed prior to Rick Goldring being mayor, the Pier debacle was three mayors ago and if you bothered to check, Burlington has the lowest taxes of any municpality in the area. No one is perfect, but when one cricitizes, he should know the facts.
Lower taxes are you serious, when I moved here my reality taxes were $700.00, now my reality taxes are over $3500.00. That’s a 500% increase. In the meantime my disposable income went down by9.3% How does one pay 500% more with 9.3% less?
john
Glad to see the race for Mayor will not be an acclamation.
If Peter Rusin does nothing more than ask the Mayor challenging, tough questions it will be well worth it. Aside from Marianne Meed-Ward the distinguishing characteristic about this Council is that it is filled with Goldring’s acolytes who do his bidding and sit up and beg on command.
With the cost overruns at the Performing Arts Centre, the Pier debacle, the proliferation of bicycle lanes used four months of the year, traffic congestion, property tax increases in excess of inflation, I’m sure Mr.Rusin will have lots of materials to work with.
I hope one of the questions Peter asks is why the mayor feels he has the right to increase property taxes beyond the rate of inflation. When according to an article in the Spec dated 13 Sept 14 states that disposable income has only increased by one percent 1%/ Where will the difference between the rate of inflation and the 1% increase in disposable income come from? The only answer is the taxpayers reduced standard of living!
John
The current Mayor appears to have memory problems from things said pre-election. I would welcome a change.
Looking forward to seeing Peter ask the questions we all want answered. Having known Peter a long time he is the one to ask them!
I am looking forward to having the Mayor have to answer questions about his “so called” great record. I think CIty Hall needs a very big change.
I welcome Peter and I heard,,,,, Anne to race. Its time deep pockets get a run for their money. Its time for a Change in Burlington.
I think it’s fabulous news that Peter Rusin is running, and is going to ask that useless Mayor tough questions he probably won’t be able to answer properly.
Rusin is a smart down to earth family man. He will make things happen in this city, go Peter go!!
Many residents are glad to see that candidates are stepping up to challenge Rick Goldring. I don’t think it is too late for worthy candidate to win this election, if they get their message out and are willing to challenge the status quo.
Yes James, competition is always a good thing.
I like that Mr. Rusin has stated, “The Mayor has a lot of explaining to do” …..and I am looking forward to asking questions on behalf of the people of this city.”
Whatever the outcome at least Mayor Goldring won’t get a free pass.
“Residents won’t elect someone perceived to be too close to major development interests.”
Why does everyone always raise an eyebrow anytime someone with a development background is mentioned? Your house, your office, your children’s school, your retail stores, your roads, your hospitals, your retirement community, basically EVERYTHING you use on a daily basis results from development. Development is not the bad guy. Development built this city. The pendulum has swung too far in one direction, and the anti-development movement has effectively shut down economic development in this city (and Ontario). This mindset needs to change. Without new development, cities struggle.
Granted, development needs to be managed responsibly. There needs to be a proper balance between environmental needs, social needs, and economic needs. That’s where someone with vision is needed. Someone with a plan, and more importantly, someone that can make words a reality by executing that plan.
I don’t know Mr. Rusin from a hole in the wall. I don’t know what his qualifications are, or what his vision is, but let’s at least listen to what he has to say before condemning him due to his ties to the real estate world. With all due respect to Mayor Goldring, a little competition isn’t a bad thing.
Nevah heard of him – a realtor? Go figure! I hoot!