X Marks the Spot

VIDEO: The demolition of the "four sisters" earlier this year. What will replace those smokestacks is the primary concern of Lakeview-area voters.

Just returned to the office from the Lakeview Ratepayers Association debate for Mississauga South candidates.

These guys have now had three debates in the past three nights. Pity them.

They still managed to keep it somewhat fresh for the audience of more than 200 people at the Cawthra Seniors' Centre.

The highlight, from an entertainment perspective (the political perspective will be dealt with in the news story), was NDP candidate Ken Cole's offer to give out lawn signs after the debate so people could show their support for him.

Tim Peterson quickly followed up by saying to Cole, "I'd like one of your signs, I'm just not sure where I'd put it."

Cole shot back: "I can tell you where to put it."

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Another highlight: Charles Sousa employed an old trick and read part of a press release PC candidate and incumbent Tim Peterson sent out in March.

Sousa read Peterson's release, which stated, in part: "Our government plan is working for Mississauga...I am especially pleased that our government will be ending GTA pooling, which will save GTA taxpayers over $200 million."

Of course, Peterson made the statement back when he was a Liberal, before he left the party ostensibly because pooling was not being ended quickly enough.

Sousa also laid into Peterson by saying that the incumbent was only in the legislature 40 percent of the time.

Peterson defended his record by saying he was on five committees and crossed the province doing consultations for four months, and also that he didn't vote after leaving the Liberals and sitting as an Independent because "he didn't want to be seen voting against the government that helped me get elected."

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Most of the questions from the audience were decent, but one was nothing more than a statement, and caused some commotion in the auditorium. It came from a woman named Janet.

"I don't know how anyone could vote for a floor-crossing betrayer like Mr. Tim Peterson," she said.

Peterson responded, "Janet and I were very close (when I was a Liberal)...I'm glad she's that upset that I left."

Peterson added, after repeating the four reasons he left the Liberals: "I went to your leader and said, 'what do you think of these ideas,' and he said, 'send me an email.' Janet, you're on the wrong side."

***

Roy Willis, former mayoral candidate, told the candidates that Mayor Hazel McCallion supports power plants in Mississauga.

He asked the candidates, who are all against power plants in Mississauga South in one form or another, "How are you going to deal with Hazel?"

The question, and the answers, evoked much laughter.

Green candidate David Johnston said, "Well, she can't live forever."

NDP candidate Ken Cole: "I'm not scared of Hazel - she better get used to me."

Sousa said he'd speak to her not only about the economy but about the health and safety of residents.

Peterson: "Hazel doesn't get the waterfront like she gets Streetsville or the city core...as for her longevity, I wouldn't bet against her."