With six candidates running for mayor in the upcoming municipal election, The Weekly News is offering voters a snapshot of those vying for the top job. One candidate, Steve Mackie, did not return answers to our questions.
Advanced polls for the upcoming municipal election gets underway next week. Voters can cast an electronic or phone ballot during the advanced voting period anywhere, anytime starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 and ending 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18. Alternatively, voters can vote in person on Election Day, Saturday, Oct. 20 (paper ballots only) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NAME: Fred Connors
AGE: 46
RESIDENCE: Halifax
WHY I WANT TO BE MAYOR: To bring talent and youth back to HRM.
FAVOURITE MOVIE OR BOOK: Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy
FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD: Anything gluten-free.
FAVOURITE DRINK: Pinot Grigio
FAVOURITE SINGER/BAND: All of our local ladies!
WHICH SPORTS TEAMS ARE YOU A FAN OF: The only one I've ever seen - Pittsburgh Penguins.
WHAT EXERCISE OR SPORTS DO YOU REGULARLY DO: Jog in the north end.
FAMILY PETS: Five chickens and two ducks.
WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR LAST VACATION: My cottage outside of Hubbards.
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Cars that run a red light and block crosswalks.
NAME: Aaron Eisses
AGE: 35
RESIDENCE: N/A
WHY I WANT TO BE MAYOR: In the coming years and decades, HRM is going to change. The shipbuilding contract and increased shipping as a result of climate change will bring jobs and prosperity. How the city grows matters. As a city, we can choose to focus on developing a liveable city that grows in harmony with the environment around us. We have choices to make: more roads or more transit, more skyscrapers or more community living. I think that I am best person to handle that growth for the benefit of all citizens of HRM.
FAVOURITE MOVIE OR BOOK: Money Ball
FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD: Chips
FAVOURITE DRINK: Water
FAVOURITE SINGER/BAND: Wilco, but recently I have been listening to a lot of The White Stripes.
WHICH SPORTS TEAMS ARE YOU A FAN OF: Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays.
WHAT EXERCISE OR SPORTS DO YOU REGULARLY DO: Ultimate frisbee, softball, basketball and walking.
FAMILY PETS: A golden lab named Dixie. She stayed on the farm after I left.
WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR LAST VACATION: South America
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Tardiness
NAME: Tom Martin
AGE: 55
RESIDENCE: Dutch Settlement
WHY I WANT TO BE MAYOR: Frustration and Family. Lack of urban growth. Unfair commercial taxes within the core. Public transportation consisting of buses and a few ferries. Continued existence of the rural /urban divide. A lack of transparency at City Hall. A municipality that is without a clear vision. Family; I have two children and two granddaughters. If crime's not addressed, if our municipal structure doesn't fit our unique community, failing to approach today's problems with new approaches and ideas, without a clear and deliverable vision for my granddaughters generation, then we have failed our children, which to me is the greatest failure of all.
FAVOURITE MOVIE OR BOOK: Warden of the North (Book) Thomas Raddall, The Wire (movie series)
FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD: Anything salty.
FAVOURITE DRINK: Diet Coke
FAVOURITE SINGER/BAND: Stevie Ray Vaughan
WHICH SPORTS TEAMS ARE YOU A FAN OF: Not a sports fan, but like the final playoffs, Super Bowl and World Series.
WHAT EXERCISE OR SPORTS DO YOU REGULARLY DO: Fly fishing and working my farm.
FAMILY PETS: Two dogs, two cats, 30 ducks plus four geese, two goats, and three sheep ( all in addition to our farm stock!).
WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR LAST VACATION: To the river down behind my farm for about eight hours.
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People throwing garbage out of their vehicle.
NAME: Robert McCormack
AGE: 29
RESIDENCE: District 7
WHY I WANT TO BE MAYOR: I want to be mayor of Halifax so that I can be of more service to the city. I grew up in this city and have been given so much from my community, teachers, employer and co-workers. I want to give back what I have been given. There is so much potential in this city and I want this city to reach that full potential.
FAVOURITE MOVIE OR BOOK: The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz, Mordecai Richler
FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD: Potato chips
FAVOURITE DRINK: Water
FAVOURITE SINGER/BAND: Stevie Wonder
WHICH SPORTS TEAMS ARE YOU A FAN OF: Portland Trailblazers
WHAT EXERCISE OR SPORTS DO YOU REGULARLY DO: Basketball
FAMILY PETS: No
WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR LAST VACATION: North Carolina
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Pet Peeves
NAME: Mike Savage
AGE: 52
RESIDENCE: Dartmouth
WHY I WANT TO BE MAYOR: I come from a family that values public service. I believe that public office is an honourable way to represent my community, help people in need and move us forward together.
FAVOURITE MOVIE OR BOOK: The Godfather/ Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
FAVOURITE SNACK FOOD: Hummous and pita
FAVOURITE DRINK: Pineapple juice
FAVOURITE SINGER/BAND: Dire Straits
WHICH SPORTS TEAMS ARE YOU A FAN OF: Habs, Patriots, Allouettes, and I still adore the Montreal Expos.
WHAT EXERCISE OR SPORTS DO YOU REGULARLY DO: Cardio bike, walk, golf.
FAMILY PETS: Cat, Libby
WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR LAST VACATION: Quebec
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People who don’t know how to manage a four-way stop.
