Skip to content

Genesio gets going

The political bug first bit Genesio Paciocco back in the 1970s. He remembers exactly how it happened. He was a 14-year-old kid on a bike, pedalling nowhere in particular. Just going up and down Allen's Side Road.
GenesioPaciocco

The political bug first bit Genesio Paciocco back in the 1970s.

He remembers exactly how it happened.

He was a 14-year-old kid on a bike, pedalling nowhere in particular.

Just going up and down Allen's Side Road.

A limousine pulled up and an important-looking guy rolled down the window and asked for directions to the airport.

The teenaged son of a gate press operator at the old Algoma Steel rail mill, Paciocco had to know what kind of a bigwig he was dealing with.

The bigwig told him he was Cyril Symes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie.

Genesio was suitably impressed and says he got to know Symes over the years.

Cyril Symes, of course, was a New Democrat.

And with Paciocco's steelworker father, Aquilino, involved in wildcats and strikes in 1968, 1969 and 1975, the young Genesio got plenty of exposure to the politics of the left.

He got to meet people like Tommy Douglas and Ed Broadbent.

And in his present career as a developmental support worker at Community Living Algoma, Genesio has maintained an active involvement in both Local 1880 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the local NDP riding association.

Raises eyebrows by challenging Tony Martin

These days, a lot of people in local New Democratic circles think Genesio is once again pedalling nowhere in particular.

In January, he announced his intention to seek the NDP nod to run against Carmen Provenzano in the next federal election.

When three-term MPP Tony Martin announced last week that he'll also seek the nomination, Paciocco didn't think for even a moment about withdrawing from the race.

Not only is Paciocco still in the running, but he told us yesterday that he's trying to convince local riding association officials to postpone their planned March 11 nomination meeting so he can continue signing up new supporters.

Signing up new members

"I believe in democracy," the 42-year-old single man told the two reporters who turned up at his first news conference, held yesterday at the Steel Hall.

Since announcing his candidacy in January, Paciocco says he's signed up 25 or 30 new party members.

He's also working to build support within his own Local 1880 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and other unions including the United Steelworkers of America.

At Monday's event, Paciocco was flanked by his campaign manager Ted Hallin Williamson and supporters Mike Palmerio and Tony Zimbaro.

Meet Team Genesio

********************************** Full, unedited text of Paciocco's statement

Hi: My name is Genesio Paciocco I am seeking the Federal NDP nomination in Sault Ste Marie.

I've called this press conference because of the Scandal that has been exposed by Canada Auditor General

Sheila Fraser.

Paul Martin has been a part of the Chretien gov't.

Can this Liberal gov't be believed??

For example: When Paul Martin was in a scrum

Following the release of this damming report, Paul

Martin told reporters he knew nothing while he was

Finance Minister.

However, a few days later when a letter from 2002

Emerged warning Paul Martin specifically about

Questionable actives involving Group Action,

Paul Martin changed his story. He was quoted has

Saying that this was an administrative matter.

Therefore, Paul Martin has a creditability problem:

First in the scrum he said he knew nothing about it

And now, when a letter comes out, he's saying

Something else.

Which is it? Paul Martin knew nothing about it or

Martin knew something about it.

Now: Martin wants to go to the polls this spring I say

Mr. Martin should have the public inquiry with all the facts

And who are the player are.

The Liberal Party of Canada should be paying for this

Mess... not the taxpayers of Canada.

*******************************


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
Read more