Some Challenging Hazel McCallion For Mississauga Mayor
Posted October 26, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
She’s been in the same position since 1978 and is the Eliot Ness of her city – a virtual Untouchable.
But there are still those who would challenge the 85-year-old and they believe they can take her this time around.
“She is definitely physically losing it. I would say she is dying,” contends candidate Donald Barber. “I’ve seen old people where they begin to lose their ability to focus her attention. She is not capable of going more than a couple years, let alone four.”
He’s run against her four times. And all four times, he never even came close.
Age isn’t the issue for Roy Willis. At 70, he wouldn’t dare make comments about gray hair or the years gone by. But the grandfather has also tasted bitter defeat numerous times. He’s 0 for 7 in his bid for a City Council seat.
But at least he’s realistic this time around.
“I know what I am up against but things in politics happen,” he shrugs.
His platform sounds reasonable. “Crime, gridlock. Taxes. Development is rampant in this area.”
But in the end neither man really believes he’ll beat the Hurricane.
How confident is McCallion she’ll be back in the mayor’s chair when the final bell sounds on November 13th? Consider this: there isn’t a single lawn sign anywhere with her name or picture on it. That’s because she hasn’t seen the need to campaign in more than 20 years.
