Sudbury Local News - Interest in city election lacking: candidate

Voters are more interested in enjoying the beautiful summer weather than city politics, Ward 8 Coun. Ted Callaghan said.

He is running for mayor Oct. 25 against incumbent mayor John Rodriguez, businessman Zack Gauthier, and arts promoter Derek Young.

“I have not seen such a lack of interest in a city election.”

Callaghan has served on city councils continuously since 1994. When voters do talk to him, most mention rising taxes and utility bills as their No. 1 issue. The sale of the former St. Joseph hospital site is brought up too, he said.

Callaghan said he is resigned to the fact the former St. Joseph hospital site is now in private hands.

The deal by Panoramic Properties of Niagara Falls to purchase the property from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie formally closed July 28. The principals of Panoramic Properties were not available for official comment on the sale or what will happen next with the property.

Callaghan said at this point there is little the city can do if council still wants the property.

If city council tries to block the development of the site, the new owners can be appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board, he said.

Citizens are tending to blame the whole council for letting the property be sold to a private developer, he said.

“I have to tell the public (that council) did not know what was going on,” he said. “I was completely blindsided (by the sale). I did not know the mayor knew the province had the jitters about paying for the demolition of the property as far back as 2008.”

He attended an in-camera session on property acquisition in the last city council meeting.

“We wanted the first right of purchase,” Callaghan said. “We never discussed buying the property with the building demolished.”

Ward 3 Coun. Claude Berthiaume said, from his recollection of the meeting, it had been assumed the province would pay for the demolition and so there was no need to discuss the building being there. He also said the hospital sale issue was of little interest to his ward 3 residents. Road conditions were their priority, he said.

The most up to date list of candidates for mayor, councillors and school board trustees is on the city’s website, www.city.greatersudbury.on.ca. Click on the city hall section and click on municipal elections 2010.

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30 Comments

suzi 9/27/2010 8:15:45 PM - Report Abuse

now that you have insulted us hopefully for the last time. May we suggest that you try mushroom farming. See you can still stay in the dark.
suzi 9/27/2010 8:12:06 PM - Report Abuse

Seems everyone thinks you and the others on council are photo op types. I have an idea. Last picture of council should be all of you with your heads in the sand. And call it THE OSTRICHES HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING
suzi 9/27/2010 5:05:48 PM - Report Abuse

There is a ton of interest, but , sorry Ted not in your direction. I think we lost you around Elton John, or no maybe Pioneer Manor......or when ever it was......you're as good as gone.
Maggie_1 8/7/2010 12:05:02 PM - Report Abuse

It's time for Ted and the rest of the "old gang" to remove themselves from City Hall. I am a senior and I find that they are not doing anything to make this city attractive to our community or to anyone wanting to visit. My vote is for the young people that want to get in. There are a lot of smart, intelligent young adults that can take over and make our city proud. I'm disgusted with the the present city council and the things they are not doing for our city, which is basically nothing. We need more young blood and not having people sit on the fence wondering which way they should go. Stop and look around and see how our city is no longer worth looking at. It's time to retire and get out Ted.....young blood is needed here, not someone who is keeping us in the dungeon.......
andre400 8/7/2010 8:49:57 AM - Report Abuse

Basically the same things i have heard motorboat. Not a great person to be responsible for the day to day running of the city. Just another of the old guys after another pension courtesy of us the tax payers. Why do we get such a bad lot here in Sudbury? About time the people voted them out... use your votes!
wondrinwhy 8/6/2010 4:21:15 PM - Report Abuse

Callaghan has served on city councils continuously since 1994.

Maybe we should have some law against someone serving for this long, no wonder no one 'fresh' ever gets in.
andre400 8/6/2010 10:29:28 AM - Report Abuse

If anybody votes for this guy Callaghan then they deserve everything they get. After various stories i have heard about him there is no way i would trust him running this city. You think it is bad now... watch out if he gets elected.
joy_3 8/5/2010 11:50:52 PM - Report Abuse

DEAD MINER
Company and supervisor charged by Ministry of Labour in 2002 death at refinery
Greater Sudbury city Coun. Ted Callaghan — have been
charged in connection with a workplace death.
The charges against Inco and Callaghan have been laid by the Ontario
Ministry of Labour for alleged violations of the Occupational Health and
Safety Act. The charges, which were presented in court Tuesday, stem from a year-long
investigation into the March 25, 2002, death of Brian Laughlin, 50.
Laughlin, a veteran employee at Inco’s Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery, died
from lung failure about six days after he was exposed to toxic nickel
carbonyl gas, according to the labour ministry’s allegations.
During his last shift at the nickel refinery, on March 19, 2002, Laughlin
was assigned the task of draining a series tanks containing nickel carbonyl.

Inco has been charged with five violations of the Occupational Health and
Safety Act, while Callaghan faces two charges for alleged failures to meet
his obligations as a workplace supervisor.
The case may be precedent-setting because Callaghan has been charged as a
supervisor Callaghan is classified as a leader at the nickel refinery.
lleges that Callaghan failed in two instances to take
reasonable safety precautions in the workplace.
in the transfer of liquid nickel ;” Callaghan, as a supervisor, “failed to take the reasonable precaution of
providing information, instruction and/or supervision to Brian Laughlin ...
in the transfer of liquid nickel carbonyl in winter conditions;”
Callaghan “failed to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that a
pail of water was placed directly under a flange or joint before it was
loosened for the transfer of liquid nickel carbonyl.”
pcb4golf 8/5/2010 9:10:27 PM - Report Abuse

Ted is on every council because the more councils he's on the bigger the pay cheque. I don't believe we would be better off with this S.O.B. than J.Rod. The problem is, is that the media is feeding his campaign and not promoting the "other" candidates enough. Talk about hogging the spot light. If he somehow gets elected. He'll tighten a financial belt on this city so tight that nothing will get down. Might as well close your shops now and leave Dodge while Sudbury still has somewhat of a decent reputation.
with held 8/5/2010 5:46:16 PM - Report Abuse

I want everyone in Sudbury to know that Ted Callaghan is on the Board of Directors for the Sudbury Children's Aid Society.

Recently the Sudbury Children's Aid sent their lawyers to fight a foster child who was a survivor of sexual abuse. The CAS lawyers unsuccessfully fought to get a publication ban for a CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER!!!! Being a Board member TED.. how could any CAS Board member ever let this happen to a child?

With all the recent press about child molesters, child porn and other crimes against children in this community I want to know why I would vote for you? Why won't you contact me to stop and deal with matters involving criminal activity committed by the Sudbury Children's Aid?
SouthOfTen 8/5/2010 5:19:32 PM - Report Abuse

Quote: Sudbury people are smart, they want someone they can trust,someone who will fight for them and their city,not another photohop person!!!!!!!!.

Yeah... Sudbury people are smart alright. That's why they have voted in douchebags for the past 20 years. Its quite obvious that the population needs to be changed first. Then maybe people will accept the fact that this toilet of a city needs massive change and young blood. Then maybe someone smart will get voted in. Then maybe it will change for the better!
sandman 8/5/2010 4:21:49 PM - Report Abuse

I would rather someone that know very little about the job & has the Ballz to say it. A blue collard Joe or Jane to help with or best interests as a City.

I would bet that this person would be surprised at the folks willing to give their vote to to someone who starts with honesty, no hype/spin doctoring! I would love to hear the way it is, here folks this is where we are this is what we need to do to get to good.

I don't want to hear all the rosie "teel them what they want to hear" crap.

I want the hard ugly facts, as I know them to be!
and a real plan on how to get there...

That is all that I ask. I would rather no track record at all than to put faith into someone who has been there and has watched all of this crap unfold.

Are you out there? or am I going to have to bite this bullet for all of us the next time around. Because believe me, you want real & ugly, willing to take the hard punches for us and roll with it, coupled with sexy as hell!
lol... well you'll know it's me if it happens anyways.

Peace y'all.

Let just make sure we at least put our votes in so the number reflect the popuation because this is what's truly killing us
normduster 8/5/2010 3:45:05 PM - Report Abuse

Sudbury people are smart, they want someone they can trust,someone who will fight for them and their city,not another photohop person!!!!!!!!
andre400 8/5/2010 2:26:27 PM - Report Abuse

Well he ain't getting our vote, that's for sure! Another Bartolucci in the making. These guys will show up for the opening of an envelope if it will get there mug shots in the paper. Talk about passin the buck on the hospital sale! Blindsided or not, i am sure the vast majority of Sudbury people would rather their hard earned tax dollars going to something else. Just how were the city going to finance this deal? Oh yes... that's it, another tax hike for home owners!
I am interested in the election for the sole reason we have to get these old timers out, for as long as they are in office this city will not be moving forward!
Would'nt it be good to make candidates have to take a lie detector test...a bunch of liers, conmen and crooks !!
The lack of interest Mr Callaghan is because you and Mr Bus driver have not got an ounce of integrity between you. You do nothing unless it will benefit you and your cronies!
joy_3 8/5/2010 1:37:11 PM - Report Abuse

That TED is in every photo-op in Sudbury. I have taken to blocking pictures in all newspapers cause he keeps popping up every where. Two questions I have for TED. 1. when he was working at INCO as the supervisor and a miner was killed-where did he take responsibillity for any safety? 2. How many Elton John tickets did he take before he got caught with his municipal buddies.
Enough said on this clown.
clockw3rx 8/5/2010 12:31:53 PM - Report Abuse

THIS IS A BIG FAT LIE TED!

“I have to tell the public (that council) did not know what was going on,” he said. “I was completely blindsided (by the sale). I did not know the mayor knew the province had the jitters about paying for the demolition of the property as far back as 2008.”

THE REASON WHY TED FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO VOTERS IS BECAUSE HE AINT GETTING ANY!!

GET LOST TED! YOU LIE LIKE ITS NO TOMORROW!
CCNR@IPC 8/5/2010 11:54:31 AM - Report Abuse

Well phrased Sandman..

The lesser of all evils..

I know.. Let's hire an out side company to study the issue.. Then after a few months.. we can be told what our best Evil is, and it will only cost? um?? Jeepers, I wonder? OH WAIT, Cost doesn't matter..

No decision making on their part.... is that their goal?
sandman 8/5/2010 11:32:40 AM - Report Abuse

well Ted, I believe that the lack of interest is due to the horrible options 6 of one half dozen on the other.
there is really no option.
I am interested, just un inspired.
pick the lesser evil?
yeah, we've been doing that for years and getting NOWHERE!
Top Gun 8/5/2010 11:01:08 AM - Report Abuse

Sudbury sure seems to like the commies. When will they learn? Satisfied with crumbs and corrupt local government I guess.
expatriot 8/5/2010 10:52:25 AM - Report Abuse

The lack of interest is in the cadidates not the election.
Top Gun 8/5/2010 10:45:05 AM - Report Abuse

Sudbury sure seems to like the commies. When will they learn? Satisfied with crumbs and corrupt local government I guess.
skndstry 8/5/2010 10:17:18 AM - Report Abuse

Blindsided by the purchase?!! You didn't know it was for sale?

You are either lying, or stupid.

Neither makes for a good mayor.

If people don't find this election compelling, it is because of the choices presented, or lack thereof.
whiteswan69_1 8/5/2010 10:17:01 AM - Report Abuse

I have never voted for the NDP and never will.
SirGalahad 8/5/2010 10:14:33 AM - Report Abuse

I find this article insulting, as I'm sure many Sudburians do. I am now, and always have been interested in our local elections because I care about the city's future. I'm sure that many have given up any hope that things will change for the better (Mr. Callaghan's running is an example) - however we all remember the fiasco that was Mr. Courtemarche......
I am hopeful that some of the new candidates who have stepped up may present different ideas and opinions to bring Sudbury into the future.
catmac 8/5/2010 9:56:24 AM - Report Abuse

It seems city staff run the show anyway, they just let council and mayor know about a week or so later what went down,or they learn about it from the news.
CCNR@IPC 8/5/2010 9:53:18 AM - Report Abuse

Stu, regardless who is voted in, we will lose..
Can you say the Liberals, or PC's are any better?
Didn't think so.

Heck, I'd vote for the Bloc right now
stu_eng 8/5/2010 9:22:27 AM - Report Abuse

Aslong as we dont vote in any more NDP people we should be ok.
rightofcentre 8/5/2010 9:02:40 AM - Report Abuse

well said CCNR and kissmyaxe
kissmyaxe 8/5/2010 8:52:24 AM - Report Abuse

It's hard to really give a shit about the mayoral elections when the man elected does nothing more than collect a pay check. Prove us wrong Ted. That being said, anything will be better than another 4 years of Humpty Dumpty.
CCNR@IPC 8/5/2010 8:40:10 AM - Report Abuse

Lack of interest?

No matter who is voted in, we still lose..

Don't get it Ted? Try doing something for the People of Sudbury, and NOT your selves..

Interest in city election lacking: candidate

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