Ward 6: WWFMD? (what would Frank Manzo do?)

What would Frank Manzo do if he were in charge?

What would his top priority be?

Well, the Ward 6 warhorse says he'd be looking to encourage cooperation between all members of City Council.

"What is your highest priority?" was one of the 16 questions put at a recent forum to five candidates vying for two seats as City councillors representing Ward 6.

Five of the six Ward 6 candidates presented their ideas, strategies and campaign platforms.

Andy Anich did not attend the forum.

In attendance were (left to right) Jeff Arbus, Tony Mancuso, Joe Krmpotich, Ozzie Grandinetti (incumbent) and Frank Manzo (incumbent).

Manzo would like to see the council of the next four years work in harmony as past City councils have done.

He described the council of the past four years as dysfunctional, saying that members get carried away fighting each other and don't accomplish a lot because each is trying to further his or her own agenda rather than work with others toward a common goal.

Tony Mancuso talked about the importance of further developing Sault Ste. Marie's self-billing as a green community. "There's definitely more work to be done, more attraction to bigger businesses to come in in that green economy field," said Mancuso, who also referred to Manzo's comments on cooperation, saying he's prepared to take whatever direction council as a whole decides to go in, working toward maximum effectiveness for the people of Sault Ste. Marie.

Krmpotich believes the economy will have a major effect on the community and he hopes to see nothing but growth. Krmpotich says it's possible for the Sault's major employers to move forward in a spirit of cooperation with their unions for the benefit of the community.

As part of this growth, Krmpotich believes the need to effectively educate and prepare the community's young people for careers will become ever more important.

One of Krmpotich's goals is to make sure the youth have educational and training opportunities that prepare them for jobs available in the Sault, ensuring they stay home.

Grandinetti said the first priority of City Council over the next four years needs to be the economy and jobs.

"More jobs means our tax base will expand," Grandinetti said. "I would also like to see us continue to diversify the economy like we are doing in the green sector."

Arbus talked about one specific green development that has recently opened in the Sault: Heliene Canada Inc., manufacturers of high-efficiency, maximum-yield photovoltaic solar panels. Arbus held Heliene up as an example of how a green industry can provide high-tech, good-paying jobs while providing a green product manufactured in the Sault.

Heliene is a good example of how long-term sustainable development can benefit a community and the world, he said. "We can only get that if we work together as a united front and I'll be part of that."

The candidates were also asked about how they would serve the needs of the youth in the Sault, promote and support physician recruitment, long-term-care facility development and arts and culture enhancements.