Showing up Matters

Former 3 term Mayor McDonald endorses Maggie Horsfield

Letter to the Editor

I had the privilege of serving as Mayor of North Bay for 12 consecutive years. It was an honour to represent the citizens of our city, support our local businesses, community organizations and working alongside neighbouring municipalities on issues affecting communities across Northern Ontario.
I have great respect for everyone who places their name on a ballot. Public service is not easy. It requires sacrifice, resilience, and a commitment to serving others.
My 12 years of experience as mayor has also given me a unique perspective on what the job requires. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, I believe it is important to share that perspective.

First, I want to be clear: I do not make endorsements lightly. I am fully supporting Maggie Horsfield for Mayor, and I have complete confidence in her ability to lead North Bay over the next four years. I remained neutral in the last mayoral race. However, after following this campaign closely and attending the mayoral debate, I concluded that voters deserve to understand the stark differences between the candidates.

These are the qualities voters should consider.

Showing Up Matters
Based on the publicly available data on the city website, Maggie Horsfield's attendance record during this term was approximately 95% for council/committee meetings and 94% for boards and commissions. Those numbers demonstrate reliability and commitment to the responsibilities of office.

Jamie’s attendance at council/committee meetings was just 84%, while attendance at agencies, boards, and commissions was approximately 61%. Yet here he is asking for a promotion to the position of mayor. In today’s world, a poor attendance record results in being dismissed. When asked about this record, he suggested attendance does not matter as much as results. I disagree.

Results happen because elected officials show up, participate in debate, ask questions, collaborate with colleagues, and cast votes. The mayor's job requires being present. It requires preparation, showing up to meetings and commitment. If you are not in attendance working with your council colleagues and voting, you can’t take credit take for results of the team.

Maggie was there at every step of the way – from the initial discussion at a council meeting to when shovels are in the ground at a new city project unveiling.

Working With Others Matters

Municipal government also needs a leader that brings people together, works as a team to move the city forward.

Every council member wins some votes and loses others. That is democracy. The key measure of leadership is not whether you always win. It is whether you can work constructively with people who disagree with you.

Jamie Lowery has frequently pointed to votes he lost by margins such as 8-3 or 9-2 and argued that others would not listen to him. If he couldn’t work with members of council in the last term as a council colleague, how can we believe he magically can once he is the mayor?

Whereas Maggie Horsfield has demonstrated an ability to work collaboratively, respect differing viewpoints, and move important issues forward. I’ve witnessed many occasions where she has brought people together from across the political spectrum and united them in a shared goal for our community. That is what effective municipal leadership looks like.

Transparency Matters
One of the most contentious issues during my final term as mayor was the location of the low-barrier shelter.
No neighbourhood wanted it nearby. At the same time, our community wanted compassionate solutions for vulnerable residents. Council worked with more than 30 organizations, professionals, and experts to evaluate options and make decisions based on evidence.

During the recent debate, Jamie Lowery claimed he had a better location. However, he did not identify where that location was.

Voters should ask a simple question: If a candidate says transparency is important, why is he keeping such an important proposal secret until after the election? I guess the 25 locations identified and reviewed by mental health experts somehow missed his perfect location that he won’t tell anyone until after the election is suspect at best.

What if he is recommending your neighbourhood? Voters deserve to know what is being proposed before they vote, not after.

Whereas Maggie has committed to continue working with subject-matter experts, community organizations, and communicating the process of deciding a permanent location of the low-barrier shelter with citizens.

Community Presence Matters
The mayor's job extends far beyond council chambers.
During my years as mayor I attended just about every event I was invited to - countless evenings and weekends were spent attending business openings, charity events, volunteer recognition ceremonies, fundraisers, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings.

These events should never be seen as trivial. They are opportunities to learn what matters to citizens, support local organizations, and strengthen relationships throughout the community. Every organization matters. Every volunteer matters. Every neighbourhood matters. Local businesses and community groups matter. Being Mayor is showing up.

Our MP and MPP were there as well. They too, understood the importance of showing up. It was also an opportunity to speak with our representatives at length about our challenges and opportunities in an informal setting. Citizens want all levels of governments to work together and these events strengthen our relationships with them.

Jamie Lowery has indicated he would attend very selected events. He also stated he would send councillors if he didn’t want to attend.
Whereas Maggie has attended hundreds of community events, supporting local businesses and organization – starting long before she was even on council. She understands the commitment is required to serve. This is leadership and having a good understanding of supporting our community partners.

A Clear Choice
This election is ultimately about leadership, commitment and showing up.
Jamie is defensive about his poor attendance record, frequently blamed colleagues when votes did not go his way, pointed the finger at staff and indicated community events are not a priority.
Jamie Lowery himself stated that "past behaviour predicts future behaviour." On that point, I agree.
For the future of North Bay, I believe Maggie Horsfield has demonstrated a strong work ethic, professionalism, complete and thorough preparation, dedication to community engagement and has the leadership skills our city needs over the next four years.
Maggie is all in for all the right reasons.
That is why I am supporting Maggie Horsfield.

Al McDonald
Former Mayor (2010-2022)