Bradley expected to be a ‘calming voice’
Leanna Villella isn’t bothered that her fellow Welland representatives on regional council didn’t support her bid for chair of the 31-member government last week.
A first-term councillor, Villella entered her name to lead regional council for the next four years, but was defeated by Jim Bradley, a former St. Catharines Liberal MPP of more than 41 years.
In an interview Monday, Villella said Welland Mayor Frank Campion and Coun. Pat Chiocchio both approached her before Thursday’s chair election, explaining they would be putting their support behind Bradley.
“They were both upfront and honest with me and had the decency, courtesy and respect to explain to me why they were doing what they were doing,” said Villella.
Bradley received 19 votes from members of regional council, while Villella saw support from seven councillors. Lincoln representative Robert Foster also entered the race, receiving five votes.
Villella said she is eager to see the term move forward with Bradley at the helm.
“I’m looking forward to the experience he brings,” she said.
Villella, a former Conservative candidate in federal and provincial elections, said transparency and keeping party politics out of the regional government should be on everyone’s minds during the next four years.
“We share a common goal — and that common goal is change.
“At the end of the day, we will all come together. I have no doubt about that,” she added.
Campion, starting his second term as the city’s mayor, said he has plenty of confidence in Bradley’s abilities — the reason he voted for him.
“He’s certainly well-versed in politics.”
He said he feels Bradley will take a strict, non-partisan approach to how he leads council.
“At this level of government, party politics has no place. I’ve always felt that way,” said Campion, who ran for the Progressive Conservatives in the 2014 provincial election.
Chiocchio, also elected to his first term as a regional councillor, served as Welland city for 14 years.
He said he supported Bradley because he has the qualities of who he wanted to see in the chair — someone with experience, good leadership traits, and the ability to communicate with staff and Niagara residents.
Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele also considered Bradley’s experience when filing his vote, saying he will be a necessary “calming voice” at regional council and someone who can work with everyone, regardless of their political stripe.
“I think he’s a person that’s well-respected at the provincial government by all members of the legislature, no matter what party they are with,” he said.
Port Colborne Coun. Barbara Butters, also starting her first term for the Region, said she voted for Bradley because he has a proven track record of being able to work with everyone.
“Party lines aside, he seems to be able to build bridges,” she said.
“That’s what we need — somebody that can do that,” added Butters, who was previously a Port Colborne city councillor since 1997.
The Tribune was unable to reach new Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson for his views.