THUNDER BAY – Even though he’s been off city council for a dozen years, Lawrence Timko says he’s still got plenty to offer the voters of Thunder Bay.
The 81-year-old was first elected as the McKellar Ward representative in 1979 and served continuously on council for 27 years, switching to the at-large race in 1986.
In 2006 he fell just short of re-election, edged out by current Coun. Aldo Ruberto for the fifth and final at-large berth, a scenario that repeated itself in 2010. Four years ago he slipped to seventh, but undaunted, is back again, seeking an 11th term.
“I just can’t quit wanting to be there,” said Timko, a father-of-three.
“It is satisfying when you can go out and establish some major projects and support them and try to do it a responsible manner and try to do it for as low a cost as you can.”
At the one-on-one level, Timko said he loves helping people solve issues that may not be major in the scheme of the city, but are important to that particular person or family.
“I love doing that,” Timko said, promising to host regular town-hall meetings if he’s elected to office on Oct. 22.
He said he wants to put an end to the hiring of endless consultants, instead preferring to turn to the public for input on major projects and not just pay them lip service.
“They’re doing everything backwards,” he said. “For years and years I’ve said we should give the public a chance to vote on any major project. That’s why I think.”
Timko is also done with rubber stamping of issues behind closed doors and vowed to work to change that attitude.
“We’re not really getting enough information. I feel like I’ve got the energy to do it, I’ve got the interest and I think I can get to what’s happening there and I want to be there,” said Timko, who lists gardening and fitness among his many interests.
The veteran former councillor says wasted spending is the biggest issue facing taxpayers in 2018, with the city’s crumbling infrastructure and roads a close second.
“Those millions spent on consultants could pave a lot of roads,” Timko said.
He added he’s in favour of an indoor soccer complex, stating there’s clearly a need in the city for such a facility.
But it has to be affordable, he added.
