THUNDER BAY – Norm Staal is fed up.
As a property owner and entrepreneur, the 58-year-old thinks the city needs to learn to do business differently, or face having a lot less opportunities to do business at all.
He knows from experience.
Staal, who has twice before ran unsuccessfully for a seat at the council table, says there’s just too much resistance put forth in Thunder Bay when it comes to getting things done, resistance he doesn’t see in surrounding communities.
“If you have that type of attitude, that you can’t do that or only a certain few can do certain things in Thunder Bay, it chases investors away,” Staal said, noting he’s purposefully bought rental properties outside city limits on occasion because those communities welcomed him with open arms.
“I just find a lot of aggravation in Thunder Bay. Water bills are higher than the gas bills now, and it’s just hard to make a buck. If you go to other municipalities, they’re willing to work with you. They’re willing to help you and their taxes are half. It’s just easier to make money in other municipalities and I think that’s a shame.”
Those same water bills and high taxation are the two issues that routinely come up when Staal is out talking to potential voters.
When it comes to spending, the third-time candidate, who finished in the middle of the pack in the 2010 at-large contest, said the city and its councillors needs to take a long, hard look at the books and decide where savings can be found.
“I feel there’s too many managers,” Staal said, calling the municipal corporation top heavy.
“City hall is bursting at the seam with managers. Why is this happening? I don’t know. Does it come from the council level? Does it come from the city manager level? I feel city management often comes from government and often have no private enterprise background. I feel we should get a city manager who has run a company, who was successful running a corporation and I think a private-industry background will help running publicly,” Staal said.
The municipal election is on Oct. 22. A total of five at-large spots are up for grabs, in a field of 26 candidates.
