'No shortage of work' for incoming Thunder Bay, Ont., mayor Bill Mauro

With nearly 14,000 votes, Bill Mauro will serve as the new mayor for Thunder Bay, Ont., for the next four years.

Mauro was elected as the NorthwoodCouncillor in 1997, serving for six years. In 2003 he became an MPP, and during his 15-year career in provincial politics held several cabinet roles.

He ran again in the 2018 provincial election, but lost his seat to NDPcandidate Judith Monteith-Farrell.

On Monday, October 22, Mauro won this year's unpredictable municipal election in Thunder Bay, with over 100 candidates in total and 11 of those seeking the mayor's chair.

He defeatedFrank Pullia by about 760 votes as well as outgoing councillor, Iain Angus, and second-time mayoral candidate, Shane Judge.

Mauro spoke to CBC Superior Morning host, Lisa Laco, on Tuesday morning about his new position in the city's top office and his goals for the next four years as the mayor of Thunder Bay.

"No shortage of work"

With a very small campaign team and only six weeks to highlight his political agenda as a mayoral candidate, Mauro said he and his team purposely decided not to start campaigning until after Labour Day.

"People closest to me will know that after the provincial election, I really was not immediately certain that I wanted to pursue this," Mauro explained, "and it took me awhile to really decide ... but I really am very muchback into it and excited."

With over 20 years of experience in politics, Maurobelieves taxation levels, infrastructure priorities, and crime are the top three priorities in thecommunity.

"I'm keeping an open mind about things.I didn't come into this withany preconceived notions." Mauro added.

He said hisgoal is to focus on one or two "soft infrastructure" projects like an indoor tennis facility, rather than roads and bridges.

"We really have to set a priority and say here'swhat ourprojects are," Mauro explained."I think there has been some uncertainty in the community over the last number of years of exactly what the goal is of council ... and I think we need to just get one or two of those done."

Mauro has also met with the Thunder Bay Police Service, he said, as "we need to find a way to support police services" in order to reduce crime in our city.

With a shrinking population in northwestern Ontario,Mauro believes strengthening the relationship with the Indigenous community will help fill the gaps in the city's economyas people start to retire.

"TheIndigenous community is growing [and] I think for all of us as a mayor and a council, it's a real opportunity," Mauro said. "We were short on people to fill jobs, to keep the economy humming along ... so the Indigenous population, I think, really represents that opportunity forus to stabilize and grow our economy."

The incoming mayor said he also plans to sit on the board of the Thunder Bay Police Service and although he doesn't agree with theboard hiringa new police chief just yet, he fully supports their decision and will work with themto create a safe community.

"There's no shortage of work and there's no shortage of projects," Mauro said.

'Cool group'of new council members

Mauro also commented on the other council members who will serve with him over the next four years, including first-time candidatePengYou, whoreceived 20,000 votes, by far the most votes earned by any of the 26 candidates for councillor-at-large.

"Peng, he crushed it last night. What a superstar he is," Mauro said.

• 1st-time candidate Peng You wins most votes in at-large race in Thunder Bay, Ont.

• 'I'm speechless': Peng You tops list of new councillors

Aldo Ruberto, Trevor Giertuga, Rebecca Johnson and Mark Bentz were all also elected in the councillor-at-large race. In the ward races, Andrew Foulds was re-elected in Current River, Albert Aiello will represent the McIntyre ward, Brian Hamilton will serve McKellar, Brian McKinnon will represent Red River, Kristen Oliver will represent Westfort, Cody Fraser won the Neebing ward seat and Shelby Ch'ngwas re-elected in Northwood.

"I think its a really cool group. You got lots of experience there, from some of the folks coming back," Mauro said.

Mauro said he's looking forward to working with new city councillors and working to"help it gel."