Mayor promotes her leadership style

As the October 27 municipal election approaches, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Debbie Amaroso has spoken out against critics of her leadership style and emphatically stated she is a quiet but effective mayor who, as head of city council, works hard for the community.

Amaroso was one of several speakers, including elected leaders, city staff and business leaders, to address an audience at a major announcement held Friday morning at the Civic Centre in regards to funding for plans for a deep water port for Sault Ste. Marie.

It was announced $5.3 million, through a mix of federal, provincial and city money, along with funds from Essar Steel Algoma, will be put towards planning and preparation, environmental assessment and discussions with First Nations leaders and organizations regarding the port, which has been identified as vital for Sault Ste. Marie's economic future.

"There is something to be said about the value of quiet leadership, and as we approach the 2014 municipal election, there have been comments made by particular members of the community challenging my leadership style," Amaroso said in her speech.

Amaroso, while pointing out the economic benefits the port will have for Essar Steel Algoma and other local industrial players, enabling them to increase their output and get their goods shipped out to international markets, said that today's announcement is an example of how she, as head of council, has worked to advance projects such as the port.

"This project is about multimodal transportation, a stronger steel industry, a stronger tube mill and a stronger business presence both regionally and nationally…it's about creating new jobs."

It is projected that the port, once fully developed, will generate approximately 1700 jobs.

Amaroso said the port will make Sault Ste. Marie "a competitive place to locate, live and do business, because that's what we do in this community."

Portraying herself as a team leader as head of council, Amaroso said "we work collaboratively, we work together."

Amaroso likened her role as mayor and the port announcement to the development of the International Bridge project 50 years ago, when James McIntyre led council as Sault mayor.

Amaroso has also championed economic development and has persistently lobbied the Ontario government and OLG to ensure the lottery corporation's Sault Ste. Marie office retains its OLG head office status, and that it retains jobs as OLG goes through its modernization process.

Speaking to SooToday, Amaroso said "there has certainly been some conversation throughout the community, comments made as to 'what in fact has the mayor done' but not everybody has to be out there and beat their chest  and scream at the top of their lungs to get work done, and this (today's announcement) is a very, very clear example of what the leadership of this council, led by me, is  doing for this community and it absolutely needs to be said."

"I am not going to have to be out there beating my chest because what is important to move this community forward is that I am working diligently with all of our community partners to make sure this community is  moving forward, with sustainable jobs and economic diversification and that it's a better place for all of us to live."

"I am here to say myself and this council is working extremely hard on the community's behalf and we will continue to do so, providing the opportunity, but only the community can make that decision (in the municipal election)."