NEWS

Ward 26 challenger promises ‘local voice’

Let the games begin.

In the race to win Ward 26 in the Oct. 27 municipal election they already have. David Sparrow, one of two challengers to current councillor John Parker, used his official campaign launch on Tuesday night as an opportunity to market himself as an “advocate” for the community — something the Leaside resident suggested does not exist now.

“For too long … we’ve watched a councillor who stands on all sides of an issue and then stands with the winners,” he told a cheering crowd of about 70 who filled the William Lea Room at Leaside Memorial Gardens. “We instead need to have an advocate who will stand with the community.”

Sparrow, an actor and president of ACTRA Toronto, the film, television and radio labour union, promised to conduct “proactive community consultation” while representing Ward 26, saying he will engage local groups on a regular basis to keep abreast of hyper-local issues.

“Local voices matter,” he said. “And our local voice has not been heard over the last seven and a half years.”

Jon Burnside, who finished a close second to Parker in the 2010 election, has also registered as a candidate. Parker has not yet filed to run, but has said publicly he intends to.

Sparrow’s event, which doubled as a fundraiser, brought in donations through a faux auction led by singer Theresa Tova, who also performed a number she wrote specifically for the occasion. Famous faces at the event included Greek National Opera baritone Constantine Meglis, who sang O, Canada, and actor Peter Keleghan, the night’s emcee.