Skip to content

Black: Ready to tackle opposing challenges in Timmins

“The City of Timmins is facing a dilemma where the two biggest resident concerns work against each other; one being the rate of taxation and the other being the poor shape of our infrastructure and roads,” said Timmins City Councilor and
“The City of Timmins is facing a dilemma where the two biggest resident concerns work against each other; one being the rate of taxation and the other being the poor shape of our infrastructure and roads,” said Timmins City Councilor and Mayorial candidate Steve Black at the opening of his campaign office.
 
“In order to conquer this challenge, we need someone who’s not afraid to think outside the box. Someone who’s not afraid to make tough decisions and accept change.”
 
With the 2014 Timmins Mayoral race now in full swing, Black hosted the official grand opening of his campaign office last night.
 
Located at 100 Waterloo Road in the Hollinger Court (beside Magic Scissors), Black’s office will be open this week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be open later starting next week.
 
In his opening comments, Black thanked the many volunteers who have come out to support his candidacy.
 
“We have a great volunteer team of over forty people,” he said, “We have a social media team of over twenty five people who are keeping us in the forefront of the social media scene and twenty seven of our volunteers who went door to door in week one of the campaign and handed out over 10,000 fliers to get us started.”
 
“We have a really great team of volunteers and I’m really happy for that. I’d like to thank them all for taking part,” continued Black, “The volunteer team has made this the most enjoyable campaign I’ve taken part in so far in my political career, whether it be helping or running my own.”
 
After thanking a number of current City Councilors and Council candidates for attending the grand opening, Black commented on why he wanted to run for Mayor of Timmins.
 
“I enjoy serving the residents of our community and trying to make the quality of life in Timmins better for generations to come, as my kids and your kids deserve that,” he said “I’m the type of individual who’s driven by change and no candidate running in this election should fool themselves. There are challenging times ahead for our city.”
 
“I’m ready and look forward to being the person who works with groups like the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, the T.E.D.C., our regional partners and municipalities to guide us through these decisions.”
 
In addition to the economic challenges faced by the city, involvement came to the forefront of Black’s speech.
 
“Timmins needs a Mayor who enjoys being an active member of the community,” said Black.
 
“I sit on the Porcupine Health Unit, the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, the Timmins Public Library Board, the Timmins Hospital Foundation Board and I also chair the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Board,” he said as he described his commitments within the City of Timmins.
 
“Being on all these boards,” said Black, as he described the benefit of his involvement, “has given me a broad perspective of what this city has to offer and what some of the challenges are.”
 
In order to face these challenges head on, Black summarized his platform in five key points.
 
1) Fiscal Responsibility
2) Road Improvements
3) Accountability and transparency with the residents
4) Affordable housing
5) Putting the Strategic Plan into action
 
“As a counselor,” claimed Black, “I’ve been most aggressive voices in representing the tax payer in a fiscally responsible manner.”
 
He went on to give examples of how he’s been planning for future infrastructure improvements by persuading council to put aside a portion of the tax revenue from each year into an earmarked fund, specifically for that purpose.
 
Black also described a way to save the taxpayers of Timmins considerable money in interest payments for existing city debt.
 
Black’s platform can be found, in full, on his website at www.votesteveblack.com
 
In closing, Black invited his supporters to come by his campaign office to pick up yard signs and reminded his them to vote either at the advance polls on October 18, 2014 or on Election Day October 27, 2014.