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Robert White is on his second go-round running for mayor. But unlike his short-lived 2010 candidacy, when he pulled out before the registration deadline, White has committed to seeing this campaign through to the bitter end.
While he recognizes he’s a long-shot, the 54-year-old says he’s running on a platform of fiscal restraint. His platform promises include cancelling the second phase of light rail to save $2.8 billion, reducing the number of city employees by five per cent, restoring weekly garbage pickup in the summer months and renegotiating the Orgaworld contract.
White would also implement a number of “freezes”: he’d negotiate a wage freeze for the city’s unionized workers, freeze the transit and police services budgets and the city’s long-term capital debt.
We caught up with White late last week.
Q Tell us about yourself.
A I’m a contractor. I repair executive homes. I haven’t been working much in that area as late. I want to run as mayor because I feel I have the appropriate skill set. I was raised by a chartered accountant … from the time I’ve been an infant. I’ve been educated in terms of high finance, the business world and accounting, and that type of calculus.
Q You’ve never held public office. Why not run for council? It’s still difficult, but wouldn’t it be easier than running for mayor?
A I’ve thought of it. But I’m not in the right ward. I live in [Kanata North Coun. Allan] Hubley’s ward and I don’t feel that I could beat him. He’s well-liked. We’re very conservative in this end of town, so I think he’s got a majority vote.
Q You’ve admitted that it’s close to impossible to win this mayoral race. Why are you running?
A I’m an empiricist and I’ve read a stat that says that incumbent status automatically lends 98% chance of being re-elected. You have to interpret that stat and deduce whether the incumbent candidate has screwed up. Watson hasn’t essentially screwed up. He’s very adept socially. But financially, that’s where I have him.
Q You’ve talked before about your concern with Ottawa’s debt levels, which have reached $1.6 billion this year.
The most salient problem with respect to Ottawa is debt and debt servicing. If we do not get this under control, I foresee a downgrade by the ratings agencies and then our interest payments will go up.
Q But didn’t Moody’s Investor Services just confirm its AAA rating for the City of Ottawa’s debt?
A Well, I don’t trust any of them … If we borrow $3 billion-plus for light rail, it’s a foregone conclusion our debt will be downgraded. [Note: The plan for Phase 2 of light rail is to split the cost among the municipal, provincial and federal governments.]
I don’t like the city’s finances, and that’s what I’m running on.
查看原文...
While he recognizes he’s a long-shot, the 54-year-old says he’s running on a platform of fiscal restraint. His platform promises include cancelling the second phase of light rail to save $2.8 billion, reducing the number of city employees by five per cent, restoring weekly garbage pickup in the summer months and renegotiating the Orgaworld contract.
White would also implement a number of “freezes”: he’d negotiate a wage freeze for the city’s unionized workers, freeze the transit and police services budgets and the city’s long-term capital debt.
We caught up with White late last week.
Q Tell us about yourself.
A I’m a contractor. I repair executive homes. I haven’t been working much in that area as late. I want to run as mayor because I feel I have the appropriate skill set. I was raised by a chartered accountant … from the time I’ve been an infant. I’ve been educated in terms of high finance, the business world and accounting, and that type of calculus.
Q You’ve never held public office. Why not run for council? It’s still difficult, but wouldn’t it be easier than running for mayor?
A I’ve thought of it. But I’m not in the right ward. I live in [Kanata North Coun. Allan] Hubley’s ward and I don’t feel that I could beat him. He’s well-liked. We’re very conservative in this end of town, so I think he’s got a majority vote.
Q You’ve admitted that it’s close to impossible to win this mayoral race. Why are you running?
A I’m an empiricist and I’ve read a stat that says that incumbent status automatically lends 98% chance of being re-elected. You have to interpret that stat and deduce whether the incumbent candidate has screwed up. Watson hasn’t essentially screwed up. He’s very adept socially. But financially, that’s where I have him.
Q You’ve talked before about your concern with Ottawa’s debt levels, which have reached $1.6 billion this year.
The most salient problem with respect to Ottawa is debt and debt servicing. If we do not get this under control, I foresee a downgrade by the ratings agencies and then our interest payments will go up.
Q But didn’t Moody’s Investor Services just confirm its AAA rating for the City of Ottawa’s debt?
A Well, I don’t trust any of them … If we borrow $3 billion-plus for light rail, it’s a foregone conclusion our debt will be downgraded. [Note: The plan for Phase 2 of light rail is to split the cost among the municipal, provincial and federal governments.]
I don’t like the city’s finances, and that’s what I’m running on.
查看原文...
