Star Electoral Power

Ronald became President of the United States. Arnold became Governor of California. Jesse "The Body" was Governor of Minnesota. Will Percy Hatfield become Councillor in Windsor in Ward 5?

That's right, CBC TV's star City Hall Reporter, the man who causes local politicians to lose sleep when they receive an invitation to appear on "Percy's Panel" is going to run for Council in Ward 5 once he retires from CBC at the end of the month!

Clearly, Tom Wilson's retirement decision made it easier for Percy, and others, to consider running in that Ward. Joanne Gignac may have a tough fight to remain on top as the Councillor getting the most votes if Percy runs and may also have trouble being re-elected if Rick Limoges runs as well as is rumoured.

Percy has been around Council for a long time and probably understands the issues as well as any of the people on Council now. He knows everyone and they know him so getting workers and supporrters won't be a problem. He has the plus of name recognition that is the big advantage that every incumbent has. He is obviously comfortable in front of a microphone, a skill that Councillor Gignac has never learned and which makes her look bad every time she is interviewed. In a debate amongst contenders, she will not score many points against Percy!

It will be interesting to see how Percy likes being on the other side of the micropohone. Has he learned the political jargon of non-answering after all of these years or, as I suspect, is he is so tired of it that he will be a man who will not tolerate the BS and speak his mind. As someone who is "retired," he cannot be pressured. As one who has been at City Hall for years and now wants to be Councillor, you have to wonder why. My guess---he is so sick of what he has seen that he has to run to change it!

I know how he feels.

Now if John Fairley, the star of Face-to-Face runs, then Ward 4 will be even wider open than it is now.