Businessman sets sights on Ottawa mayor's job

High-profile businessman Larry O'Brien says he's ready to take a run at the mayor's job when Ottawa municipal elections are held in November.

O'Brien is the chairman and former CEO of Calian, the Kanata-based technology services company he founded in 1982.

"My stomach has a few butterflies, which is a very good sign," said O'Brien. "I'm pumped and we're moving forward and we haven't seen anything that will stop us from making a positive decision yet."

O'Brien says he'll file his nomination papers within "the next couple of weeks."

Calling himself a "centrist" candidate, O'Brien says he wants to run the city with the same business acumen he used to turn Calian into a $200-million-a-year company.

One of his first targets would be the light rail transit project, which he says needs a thorough review.

IncumbentBob Chiarelli didn't want to comment on O'Brien's candidacy, saying he'll wait until the entry isofficial.

Former city councillor Alex Munter, who is one of the six official candidates, says another candidate will definitely change the dynamic of the race.

Nominations close Sept. 29. The election is scheduled for Nov. 13.