THUNDER BAY – Joe Virdiramo agrees city council needs a bit of a shakeup.
But as one of the longest-standing elected municipal politicians, the Westfort ward councillor says he hopes voters balance the need for change with a little experience around the council table.
It’s one of the reasons the retired teacher and former school board director of education with the Superior Greenstone District School Board has put his name forward in 2018, seeking a fifth term in office.
The 73-year-old Virdiramo, who serves as chair of the Intergovernmental Committee, says with a new mayor guaranteed and new faces certain in at least two of the seven wards, his 15 years of experience in municipal government is important.
“Change is good, however I feel we need some type of a balance in relation to new ideas and people on council with the experience and the knowledge that they bring to the table. And I feel I am one of those people,” Virdiramo said.
“I give it my 100 per cent plus. I work hard. I sit on many boards and committees to further Thunder Bay and I want to continue to do that.”
Looking at the ward, Virdiramo said the James Street Swing Bridge was the dominant topic of this most recent term. Closed to vehicular traffic by an October 2013 fire, the situation has impacted businesses on both sides of the Kaministiquia River.
While the matter is before the courts on appeal, he’d like to see a solution through to the finish.
“Of course the James Street Swing Bridge needs to be reopened and needs to be used as it was before,” he said.
“I’m optimistic. I’m hoping in the end things will turn out and it will be opened for the constituents of the city.
Virdiramo said the other key issues in the ward are no different than elsewhere in Thunder Bay. He added he’s ready to act.
“I’ve been going door-to-door for a number of days ... and people tell me we need to improve our recreational facilities. We need to improve our road systems and we need to take a very good look at what we’re providing in recreation for the youth in our community.”
