THUNDER BAY – Diane Armstrong doesn’t get deterred easily.
Four years ago she finished 14th in a 19-person at-large field, but didn’t think twice about putting her name forth again in 2018, looking to nail down one of five berths up for grabs around the city council table.
Armstrong said she’s back in the race to fight for the citizens of Thunder Bay.
“There are things that are happening that really needs to change,” she said. “We need to a profit to avoid increasing property taxes, although the property tax (does) have to increase according to inflation. But we can brainstorm ways to do so.”
Armstrong said she’s got an innovative way to deal with people suffering from addiction. Rather than leave them in familiar environments, where they’re faced with the same temptations day after day, the second-time candidate thinks a temporary banishment from the city to a rehabilitative work farm might work.
“We need to help them (with) the most important problem they have and go from there,” said the francophone Armstrong, a mother of two grown men.
“I believe the person with (an) addiction should not go back to their environment right away. They need to be helped the right way before going back there. The way to do that is to get them a place to live and work outside of Thunder Bay at least for two years.”
The would-be councillor offered up a host of other off-the-beaten path ideas to help improve the city. She would like to see the entirety of the Thunder Bay waterfront considered for development, to take advantage of the natural beauty along the shores of Lake Superior. Why not start a hot-air balloon business too?
“That would be nice,” Armstrong said.
She’d also like to provide virtual reality glasses to seniors living in long-term care facilities, to help them live out their lives in the world of their choosing. Finally, Armstrong thinks a paved race track would be a great tourist draw and something council should look into bringing to Thunder Bay.
“There’s so much you can do,” said Armstrong, who lists business studies and speakers school among her activities.
