D’Angela hopes for return to Thorold mayor’s office
Henry D’Angela wants his old job back.
The Thorold regional councillor and former mayor announced Friday that he plans to register as a mayoral candidate in the Oct. 22 municipal election — a job he left behind in 2010 so he could spend more time with his then young family while remaining active, representing his hometown at the Niagara Region.
The 51 year old lifelong Thorold resident said the city has gone through a lot of changes in the past few years, growing significantly as a result of past initiatives — including some that he helped launch during his time at the head of a progressive council.
“There are a lot of initiatives that I was part of, with a council that moved them forward during my term. It’s great to see that happen. There’s a lot of positive things happening in the community,” he said.
“It takes many years, but it gets there. That’s the exciting part, being there from the onset.”
D’Angela said developing a new strategic plan for Thorold — as well as a process to achieve the goals set out within that plan — will be among his first priorities, after the election.
“It’s ideal after an election, because everyone’s been out door-knocking, talking to the public,” he said.
He said he also hopes to bring a team approach to city hall this fall, if elected to the job being vacated by current mayor Ted Luciani, who announced he won’t be seeking re-election.
“You work with your council,” he said.
“You’re not always going to agree .. but you try to come up collectively and focus on the needs.”
Although spending time with his two children was part of D’Angela’s inspiration for leaving the mayor’s office behind in 2010, he said his children are now inspiring his return.
As Thorold’s mayor, he plans to work to ensure the next generation continues to have opportunities in the city for years to come.
“I want to make sure Thorold is a place where our children want to live,” D’Angela said.