Vote Dick Carpani for Mayor
  Sarnia Ontario Canada

Ready to rumble First candidate registers in civic race

Dick Carpani obviously believes in the adage the early bird gets the worm.

The former councilor filed his $200 registration fee on Tuesday to run for mayor of Sarnia in the upcoming municipal election.

"It gives me time to think about what I'm going to do and how I'm going to do it," he said, in explaining why he registered on the first day possible.

"Registering on the last day (September 29) doesn't necessarily give you enough time to run a good campaign," he reasoned.

Carpani, 69, was first elected to the local public school in 1982 and served one term as its chairperson.

After an unsuccessful attempt at a city council seat in 1997, he was appointed to council in 1999 to replace Caroline Di Cocco after her victory at the provincial level.

He was then elected at the polls in 2000, before losing his seat three years later.

"I've been involved as a school board trustee and on council for four and a half years, so I figured it was time to move up and serve the public as mayor," Carpani said.

“I’ve been involved
 as a school board trustee
 and on council for
 four and a half years,
 so I figured it was time
 to move up and
 serve the public as mayor.”
 –Dick Carpani

He said he feels his previous council experience will be a benefit.

"If you go into City Hall and look at all those pictures of mayors, every single one of them are former councilors," Carpani said.

"I don't think the public will vote for someone who doesn't have some council experience."

But, Carpani concedes his campaign will take a back seat to another responsibility close to his heart, for the time being.

"I'm involved in trying to get (Sarnia-Lambton Conservative candidate) Pat Davidson elected so until the 23rd of January, I'm going to be otherwise occupied," said Carpani, who has been a long standing member of the conservative association.

When asked if he intends to -toss his hat into the ring this year, Mayor Mike Bradley said he will not make his intentions known until very close to the late September deadline as has been his custom for the past several elections.

Bradley garnered 66.62 per cent of the popular vote at the polls in 2003, defeating four other candidates, including his nearest rival by about 8,000 votes.

This year's election take place Nov. 13.

Former councilor Dick Carpani
has paid his $200 and is now
registered as mayoral candidate
in the upcoming municipal election.

BARRY WRIGHT Sarnia Sun 2006 01 04