A new day for David Shiner and John Filion
[attach]2880[/attach]The political tides have changed in David Shiner’s favour.
The longtime Willowdale councillor, an outspoken critic of David Miller, said mayor-elect Rob Ford’s agenda of cutting costs is exactly what his Ward 24 constituents want to hear.
“I think that Rob brought a message out that spoke to what the average person wants,” Shiner said days after the election.
“They want to see their dollars spent wisely, and they don’t want to see their tax dollars wasted.”
After cruising to victory with more than 5,000 votes, Councillor David Shiner said that he will reinforce that message at city hall.
Shiner said he was overwhelmed by the support he received from voters.
The incumbent served on the North York City Council from 1991-1997 and since 1998 on the new Toronto City Council. In 2007, he ran unsuccessfully for the Progressive Conservatives in the provincial election.
“I know my community. I know the people that live here. I understand what they want and I’ve always tried to be there for them on every issue,” he said.
He said it’s important that city council reflects on the people’s agenda, and the agenda is: “maintaining the services that matter most to the people in the city”.
Shiner, who was a one-time budget committee chair, said the Toronto Transit Commission is one of those services. The rep said he wants to see more parking at stations as well as free parking for Metropass users. Locally, he’ll continue work.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Willowdale rep, John Filion says his landslide election win was one giant pat on his back.
[attach]2881[/attach]“It’s basically saying, ‘Keep up the good work and continue on with what you’ve been doing’, said Filion, who beat his closest challenger, Dusan Kralik by over 11,000 votes.
With his council seat now secured for the next four years, the Ward 23 councillor said his priorities include building on community initiatives, including the expansion of the Parkview Neighbourhood Garden, the preservation of the Rose Garden at Yonge and Park Home, and providing more family events at Mel Lastman Square.
In terms of working with the new mayor, Filion refrained from categorizing himself as pro- or anti-Ford.
“I think we’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “I’ll have to look at it issue-by-issue. But I would certainly support Ford’s initiatives to improve customer service.”
Filion first entered politics as a trustee on the North York Board of Education.
