Random Access

Sue McFadden is running in ward 10. Ted Blackmore is running in ward 6.

And lots and lots of other people, from ex-councillor Ron Starr to political gadfly Brad Butt are thinking about the rare opportunity to win an open seat on Mississauga City council.

For McFadden, the two-term trustee from Ward 9 on the Peel District School Board, stepping up to council is a natural move. The 48-year-old lives in the ward and isn't shy about saying she'll provide the kind of representation residents are used to from Pat Saito, whose name she drops freely.

"I put a lot of faith in the community" to pick one of their own, says McFadden, who has put health problems behind her.

"Whoever runs better be able to prove they're there for the right reasons, not as a stepping stone to mayor," said the trustee.

Now that he's recovered from -yes, his back problems - chiropractor Ted Blackmore is planning to run in ward 6, where he lost to George Carlson in 2000. Blackmore was appointed councillor after Dave Culham moved on that year. He said he wouldn't run in the election, but changed his mind at the last moment.

The ward 10 resident wants to represent the same ward he served on council. "It's an older, established area I feel more comfortable with. There's something about getting my old job back that sounds good to me."

Butt, whose community credentials are impeccable and whose timing always seems to be horrid, says there's an outside chance he'd run. "We need two councillors elected who understand the big picture issues," said the host of the political show "Conflicting Interests" on Rogers Community Television.

Having already lost twice (to Nando Iannicca and Carmen Corbasson) in municipal election contests where he was a ward resident and the winner wasn't, Butt downplays the importance of residency, especially in open wards.

Former Ward 7 Councillor Ron Starr's name is everywhere these days as a potential candidate. Given his extensive business and development, charity and political tentacles, he's the guy who should have the TV show called Conflicting Interests.

Starr says several people have suggested he run. He'll be making a decision by the end of the year on whether to run and where to run.

Craig Lawrence, the 41-year-old owner of a jewelry store in Streetsville is seriously considering a run in ward 6, where he used to live. The vice-president of the Streetsville BIA ran against Nina Tangri for the provincial Tory nomination in 2003 and serves on Committee of Adjustment.

Former City Hall graphic artist and Ward 2 Peel Board Trustee Don Stephens is not running for council but may run in ward 6 where he lives, if Warren Kennedy doesn't seek re-election.

Others names floating around in cocktail conversation include former Mississauga Board of Trade President Russ McCall, many-time candidate, real estate man and film producer and actor Masood Khan, and planning consultant David Brown who used to work at 300 City Centre Dr.

And, oh yes, Mississauga News' Publisher Ron Lenyk's name has popped up on more than a few occasions as a potential candidate in ward 6 where he lives.

That's what happens when your picture gets in your paper more than the mayor's.

Asked if there's any truth to the rumours, Lenyk said "not even a little bit." He professed no interest in politics. "I plan to die in office," he said referring to the one in which he was sitting at the time, not one over at City Hall.

The mayoralty will once again be a foregone conclusion but that won't keep 70-year-old Roy Willis, who's lost almost as many elections as Hazel has won, from running.

Willis is telling everyone around town that he's going to put his name forward as an insurance policy, just in case McCallion's health should suddenly give out after nomination day and before the election.

Question of the day: What's more odious? An acclamation for the City's highest office or a political contest that isn't really a contest at all?