City/county councillor Anne Marie Gillis (File photo.)City/county councillor Anne Marie Gillis (File photo.)
Sarnia

Veteran City Councillor Running For Mayor

A veteran Sarnia city/county councillor is running for mayor in October's municipal election.

Anne Marie Gillis became the first to register as a candidate for the position at noon Wednesday, filing her nomination papers on her 64th birthday.

She says new city leadership is needed.

"I'm just fed up with the toxic leadership that has caused the walls to be built, the best and the brightest staff to leave, and city council to be demonized for doing what was needed," says Gillis. "I build relationships, I solve problems and I'm a team leader. And I know what the mayor's role is and what the rules are."

Gillis was appointed to act as an intermediary for all communications between city staff and Mayor Mike Bradley in October 2016, after Bradley was found to have breached the city's workplace harassment policy and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

After an unsuccessful run for mayor against Bradley back in 2000, Gillis was elected to council in the next election in 2003.

She says she's gained a lot of experience since then.

Gillis says she can appreciate that  Bradley has devoted most of his life to politics.

"But there also comes a point in your life where you need to take the wisdom that you've learned and mentor other people and pass it on," she says. "There is life after politics and I think 30 years is a very long time to be in one position."

Bradley was elected mayor in 1988 and has not yet indicated whether he'll seek re-election this fall.

The registration deadline for candidates is July 27.

Election day is October 22. -With files from Dave Dentinger

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