“Somebody told me at the beginning of the campaign that this isn't a sprint, it's a marathon,” he said. “I'm not sure if you're aware, but this is the body and mind of a marathon runner.”
“Thought I'd throw that in so everybody would have a chance to chuckle.”
He then thanked his wife, Lori, his family and supporters, before hitting on some of his platform. While the campaign was sometimes bruising, Bigger said he's ready to move on and focus on governing.
“I'm positive, I'm optimistic, and I have a clear vision for the future of Greater Sudbury,” he said. “This is the time for openness, accountability and transparency.
“This has been one of the most intense campaigns in our city's history. Let's keep this positive momentum going beyond today.”
Bigger said he had already talked to some of the new city councillors, and at least one – Lynne Reynolds, who beat incumbent Terry Kett in Ward 11 – was at the victory party.
Outgoing Mayor Marianne Matichuk gave Bigger a big hug as he made his official entrance Monday, and said she has already set aside space for him in the mayor's office so they can begin working on the transition.
“I want to make sure it's a smooth transition, because mine wasn't,” Matichuk said. “I'm going to help with that, because I think it's important that you get off to the right foot.”
Matichuk said she was pleased Bigger will have new faces at the council table, in contrast to the mostly incumbent council that consistently opposed her agenda over the last four years.
“I think he's actually talking to some councillors right now, which is a very good thing to do,” she said. “And with the new team, I'm hoping they're all here for the betterment of the city.”
When asked why she thought he won so handily, Matichuk said residents are still demanding change at city hall.
“Brian had the right planks in his platform – transparency and accountability,” she said. “I worked with him a lot on that” when he was auditor general.
“He's very focused. If it's the right thing to do, he goes there. I think that resonated in the campaign.”
Bigger said the first month of his administration will be crucial, so help from Matichuk will be a huge benefit.
“That's very nice of her, and it will really give us an opportunity to hit the ground running,” he said. “There will be a lot of work to do in the first month or so, building relationships with the ward councillors, understanding their plans and they fell is important in all of their wards and how we are going to move forward.
“People want to be able to trust and respect their council, and that's what I plan to bring with a brand new council.”
After a campaign in which he was consistently attacked after poll after poll showed him in the lead, Bigger said he's ready for a new narrative at city hall. He wants to lead a council and administration that has the respect of citizens, he said, and leave the negativity behind on the campaign trail.
“If you are the frontrunner, you do expect people are going to challenge you,” he said. “But I think it will be a very positive tone. I'm focused on the future.”
Original story
Having taken 46 per cent of the vote, it appears Brian Bigger is Greater Sudbury's mayor elect, according to the unofficial results. There are still about 15 polls to come in.
After a grueling campaign that saw debates — sponsored by the Greater Sudbury Taxpayers Association — held in all 12 wards, as well as five mayoral debates, it all came down to tonight.
Long lines at polling stations frustrated voters, who turned out in droves to cast a ballot in what was the most hotly contested election in the city of Greater Sudbury's short history. With 60 candidates for council and 10 people running for mayor, voters had their work cut out for them.
Stick with NorthernLife.ca for more election night coverage, including reaction from the candidates, a breakdown of the new city council, the list of school board trustees and the results of the referendum on store hours deregulation and holiday shopping.
More to come.
