Saundercook and Perks plan to run again in October

[attach]1233[/attach][attach]1234[/attach]Parkdale-High Park councillor Gord Perks and Bill Saundercook both want back in the game for another term.

Both councillors, who represent adjacent wards, were among the candidates to register in early January.

“For the seven municipal campaigns I’ve been involved in, I’ve always registered early,” Saundercook said. “I think it’s important to let constituents know I’m anxious to get elected and my constituents can hold me accountable between now and the election.”

Saundercook represented Ward 13 for a dozen years prior to 2000 when the boundaries changed and he lost to then-councillor David Miller. When Miller successfully ran for mayor in 2003, Saundercook won the seat back again.

“You are putting your career on the line each election,” Saundercook said.

Councillor Perks said it was fairly easy to decide to run again in Ward 14.

“I love getting my sticky fingers into the nitty gritty details of Ward 14. I have so many things on the go, I’d hate to walk away from what I consider the most engaged community in North America,” said Perks. “I have fallen in love with Ward 14.”

He mentions ten new parks, a street redesign and new housing as some of the projects he worked on with the community.

“The last six years have been an interesting time in the city,” said Perks. “It has felt like a lot of the work we’ve done has been on how to make Toronto more inclusive and green across the city.”

He noted green bins, a transportation plan and new energy plan as examples.

With no incumbent mayor, he considers this an important time for voters.

“I look at this election not so much as who runs, but what kind of conversation we have about the city we want to live in,” Perks said. “I’m driven to have a city that is inclusive, sustainable and socially equitable … We have to be honest with the public. Services cost money.”

He urged voters to be cautious when candidates promise to cut taxes and maintain or increase services.

“They are selling you a bill of goods,” said Perks.

As of press time, Bill Vrebosch was the only other registered candidate in Ward 14 and Saundercook was the lone candidate in Ward 13.