Campaign events crowding the calendar with three weeks to go

With three weeks to go before the Oct. 27 municipal election, things are starting to heat up in Greater Sudbury's political scene.

In addition to a slew of ward and mayoral debates slated over the next few weeks, candidate events are being scheduled at a frenetic pace.

For example, Tuesday morning there are two campaign announcements scheduled, back-to-back, first thing in the morning. Dan Melanson is holding an event at 9:15 a.m. on Regent Street in the city's South End. That will be followed by a Ron Dupuis announcement at 10 a.m. in Coniston. And on Wednesday, Brian Bigger is expected to unveil his full platform.

Rodriguez calls for Bigger to resign

Speaking of Bigger, he's drawing more attention now following an Oraclepoll commissioned by NorthernLife.ca showing he's leading the mayor's race.

Monday, Rodriguez called on Bigger to formally resign as the city's auditor general. Bigger stepped down from the post in the summer, taking an unpaid leave of absence, because he can't legally be the AG and run for office.

However, should he lose, he has a right to take his old job back, with about a year-and-a-half left on his contract. But Rodriguez says he should quit outright, because he “continues to politicize the position of trust that he holds.”

Rodriguez was mayor in 2008 when the office of Auditor General was created. In a release, he said now that Bigger is a politician, he can no longer be viewed as unbiased.

“Would it be acceptable if the Ombudsman, André Marin, took a leave of absence to run for a seat in the provincial legislature?” Rodriguez says in his release. “Absolutely not.

“The moment that a public servant enters the political arena, they abandon their neutrality and ability to provide unbiased advice and guidance ... By crossing the line from public servant to political candidate, Mr. Bigger has proven that he is incapable of returning to the auditor general's office after Oct. 27.”

Municipal law experts contacted by Northern Life in August said Bigger has the right to run, and to return to his job should he lose. Some said he would be in a very awkward position, however.

GSTA ward debates slated for wards 2, 4 and 5

The Greater Sudbury Taxpayers Association is hosting moderated debates for each of the City’s 12 wards during this municipal election campaign. This week debates will be held in Wards 2, 4, and 5.

Tonight's meeting is being held in Azilda for Ward 4. Tuesday in Val Caron, an all-candidates debates is slated for Ward 5, where no incumbent is running for re-election. It will be held at Jean Paul II, 1795 Main St., beginning at 7 p.m. The debate for Ward 2 goes Thursday at the Copper Cliff Curling Club, 39 Veterans Rd., also beginning at 7 p.m.

A full schedule is available at www.gstaxpayers.ca.