Before You Vote: Do Your Homework
With the North Bay municipal election approaching, I believe every voter should take the time to do their own research before deciding who they want to lead our community for the next four years.
All five mayoral candidates deserve recognition for putting their names forward. Being mayor is a demanding role requiring stamina, knowledge, integrity, sound judgment and a willingness to make difficult decisions.
I approached this election by reviewing publicly available information about the candidates, including their education, municipal experience, executive leadership, management of large and complex budgets, major capital projects, human resources and labour relations, governance, community involvement and economic development priorities. I also used an AI tool to help organize and synthesize that information. My intention was not to have AI determine who is the “best” candidate, but to help me identify differences in documented experience and determine what matters most to me.
What stood out to me was Jamie Lowery’s depth of executive and administrative experience. His background includes more than 30 years of public-sector leadership, senior municipal administration, responsibility for complex organizations and budgets, major capital project leadership, human resources and labour relations, board governance, and extensive community and volunteer service. His work advancing the redevelopment of Cassellholme is particularly relevant to me as North Bay continues to face important decisions involving infrastructure, housing, affordability and capital investment. (Jamie Lowery for Mayor)
Maggie Horsfield brings a different and significant set of qualifications. As our current Deputy Mayor and councillor, she has direct municipal governance experience, committee and board leadership, community involvement and regional partnerships. These are important qualifications for voters to consider as well. (North Bay)
The other candidates bring their own perspectives, experience and priorities, and I encourage voters to examine their platforms and backgrounds carefully.
Ultimately, my research has led me to my own conclusion: I will be voting for Jamie Lowery for Mayor.
For me, the experience that matters most is the ability to understand City Hall operations through hands-on experience; manage complex budgets and major projects; ask difficult questions; provide strategic leadership; and establish measurable goals for the community. Jamie Lowery has the documented and varied experience and a track record of successes.
I also value a platform that identifies not only what should be accomplished, but how progress can be measured over the term. I believe these qualities and experience are particularly important as North Bay addresses housing and accommodation, affordability, infrastructure and the need for continued investment in our community.
My decision is based on the publicly available information I reviewed. I encourage every North Bay voter to do their own research, ask questions, consider what experience and priorities matter most to them, and make their own informed decision.
Please vote for your candidate on October 26th and give North Bay its best chance for strong leadership and success.
Respectfully submitted,