Bennett says he can keep city’s momentum going
Mayor Daryl Bennett was surrounded by supporters at his campaign kick-off party at the Peterborough Naval Association on Friday evening, where he greeted people, sang to them and told them he’d keep the city’s “momentum” going if re-elected.
“I’m not running against anyone or anything — I’m running for the city of Peterborough,” he said at the party.
There will be a race for mayor, however: Bennett is running against Coun. Diane Therrien.
Bennett, 69, is a businessman in the city. Along with his two sons and brother-in-law, he is an owner of the Liftlock Group — a group of city companies that includes Capitol Taxi, Liftlock Towing, Liftlock City Freightliner and several other businesses.
He’d never run for office before winning the mayor’s seat in 2010; at the time he said he’d run the city like a business. His campaign slogan that time was Leadership That Works.
When re-elected in 2014, his slogan was Purpose and Progress.
This campaign, the slogan is one word: Momentum.
Volunteers at the Admiralty Hall handed out campaign brochures outlining his platform.
Respecting the Taxpayer is one plank; property tax increases in Peterborough have been held to three per cent or less since he’s been mayor, the brochure notes.
Bennett also stands for strong leadership for a secure future, the brochure explains.
For example, it says, he supports the idea of strong public consultation “but recognizes that council should not avoid its responsibility to make decisions in the interest of the overall community — not just special interest groups.”
The brochure also notes that Bennett looks forward to fulfilling new goals, such as construction of a new state-of-the-art sports and entertainment centre (the city has been considering building one, potentially to replace the Memorial Centre).
Bennett also had a live band on Friday evening, and he sang for the crowd.
Coun. Diane Therrien is planning a fundraiser on Oct. 11, although no more details were available Friday.