Meet our new mayor, Peter Vaudry

The sign on the vehicle in today's 81st Annual Rotary Community Day Parade said "Mayor John Rowswell and City Councillors."

But the only politician in the car was Peter Vaudry, Rowswell's only opponent so far in the mayoral race.

SooToday.com found the real mayor further back in the parade, on foot, distributing frozen treats to the crowd.

Asked by SooToday.com what Vaudry was doing in his vehicle, the mayor responded: "He didn't have the strength to walk? I don't know."

It's been just two months since the 59-year-old Vaudry returned to his Council duties after triple bypass surgery.

One month ago, the Ward 6 councillor announced his candidacy for mayor.

Reader reaction to the mayor's remark has started in the News Response forum on our editorial page, accessible using the 'Editorials' link at the left of this page.

One year ago, Vaudry himself was accused of disrespect by some SooToday.com readers after he referred to his veteran Ward 6 colleague Frank Manzo as the "the day-before-yesterday's man."

Special appearance by Lock City's Peter the Bull

Other members of City Council participated in today's parade.

At various points in the procession, we spotted and photographed Pat Mick, Frank Manzo, Neil DelBianco and Debbie Amaroso.

It's entirely possible still more councillors were there but were missed by our photographer.

Another notable celebrity we spotted was Lock City Dairies' famous (or infamous, depending on your opinion) new mascot, Peter the Bull.

SooToday.com will post additional photos from the 2003 Community Day Parade later tonight.