Mayor tells us about his favourite colour, his mother's cooking

One of his favourite books is Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, his favourite movie is The Shawshank Redemption, and his favourite colour is blue.

These were among some personal preferences Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano shared with the audience during a dialogue event this morning with the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

Provenzano also described himself as a night owl, stated his favourite food is his mother's cooking (smart answer!) and that he prefers "low key music."

Provenzano was asked which person he has most highly regarded.

Though he said it was difficult to narrow it down to one particular person, Provenzano replied "in light of recent events, Mayor McIntyre."

James McIntyre served as Sault mayor during the early 1960s and remained involved in the community until he died February 11.

Provenzano fielded a series of political and socio-economic questions, gathered from Chamber members, and presented to him by Monica Dale, Sault Chamber of Commerce First-Vice President.

When asked what single most important step needs to be taken to promote long-term economic development in the community, Provenzano said "it's due time the city did a real inventory of what its assets are, what its industrial assets are, what its industrial and commercial land availability is (in a strategy to attract businesses to Sault Ste. Marie)."

Provenzano said he hopes to give more attention to that by mid-year, after some "housekeeping" items are taken care of, such as the selection process for a new CAO.

Provenzano repeated his mantra that city spending must decrease to keep taxes low and assist homeowners struggling to make ends meet.

At the same time, Provenzano said city council should investigate other revenue-raising ideas, such as user fees and development fees (such as those in Sudbury and North Bay), while keeping residential property taxes down.

The mayor was asked what he felt the best use will be for the city's share of casino slot revenue, moving forward.

"Sometime in the near future we'll have to make that decision…we've largely used those funds for doctor recruitment which is going much better, and we've used those funds for the hospital, and our hospital commitment is now satisfied."

"My practical side tells me we have to focus (casino slot revenue) on improving our infrastructure, on snow removal, potholes…I would like to see that money going to making sure our infrastructure issues are addressed."

Provenzano said development of the Gateway site remains important, along with development of the greater Canal District, including improvements to Gore Street and redevelopment of Etienne Brule Public School (though Provenzano acknowledged matters pertaining to that school fall under the ADSB's jurisdiction).

Provenzano commended the role played by Algoma University in bringing newcomers to Sault Ste. Marie, and the work of the city's Local Immigration Partnership in making it easier for newcomers to adjust.

Provenzano was asked what he hopes to have achieved after his first year in office is complete.

The mayor said by this time next year a new CAO and city finance commissioner will be in place, and he looks forward to "some very positive projects taken root in the downtown core…(including) using green space for an outdoor adult facility for exercise, to draw a lot of seniors downtown to use community space, and have moved the file forward on the ACR and OLG."

(PHOTO: Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce First-Vice President Monica Dale poses questions to Mayor Christian Provenzano at a Chamber Dialogue event held at Quality Inn & Suites, February 19, 2015. Darren Taylor/SooToday)