Relive this moment in history: Walter Assef in the mayor's chair

Superior Morning6:30Wayback with Matt - Walter Assef

On this week's episode of "Wayback With Matt" a look back at Thunder Bay's most notorious mayor.

If you think city council meetings in Thunder Bay, Ont. get a little heated from time-to-time these days, it's nothing compared to the tenure of Walter Assef.

The former Vaudevillian performer-turned-politician was a popular mayor, occupying the top job from 1973-1978 and 1981-1985, in addition to over a decade as councillor for both Fort William and Thunder Bay.

Assef died in 1988.

His time as mayor included a number of memorable outbursts, including physically threatening councillors and city staff. There was also controversy during a 1973 Royal Visit to Thunder Bay.

His antics even drew a television news crew from Duluth, Minn. north to report on him.

Listen to this week's Wayback With Matt to hear part of a documentary filed for CBC's Sunday Morning about the "Vaudeville mayor of Thunder Bay."