THUNDER BAY – Finding out he was about to become a father sparked a political light bulb in the mind of Northwood Ward candidate Mo El Kahil.
At 26, he suddenly realized he wanted to help shape a brighter future for soon-to-be wife and child, something he doubted was going to occur with the current crop of city councillors remaining in place.
So he did what any civic-minded person would do and jumped all-in to the democratic process, filing his nomination papers to take on incumbent Shelby Ch’ng in the lone two-person ward race in the upcoming municipal election.
Promising to be the positive change Northwood needs, El Kahil promised he would put a Northwood-first focus on his term in office, giving the ward the attention it deserves.
“In my profession as a registered nurse, I spend my days now advocating for taking care of our elderly population,” he said.
“And I want to be able to expand that so I can advocate for Northwood as a whole. And I feel I have the leadership skill and the knowledge and the tools to help drive that positive change that Northwood needs.”
The ward has its challenges, and while not unique to Northwood, crime and public safety need to be addressed, El Kahil said.
Council can play a role through community engagement, he added.
“I know it’s easier said than done, but having neighbourhood watch programs and just different activities within the neighbourhood that shows that we are one deters things from happening that are not safe,” El Kahil said.
He also committed to being a champion of the public purse, if elected on Oct. 22.
“We also have to focus on what our needs are versus what our wants are,” he said. “From speaking to the people, a lot of people are worried about the affordability of the taxes as well as the water rates in Northwood, and they want somebody who is able to advocate and continue bringing the upgrades to our infrastructure that we need.
“That’s our roads, our storm sewer systems, whatever they may be. They need a strong voice to not defer those projects and for them to have them now. The perception of the people I think is past councillors, or maybe current councillors, maybe focus on big-ticket items. But I want the people to know that my focus is Northwood, and Northwood alone.”
