Mayor Dan Marchisella filed his nomination papers with Elliot Lake city clerk Natalie Bray on the final day of June, making official his quest for a third term in the city's top elected job.
He told ElliotLakeToday that he hasn't put together a formal platform for this year's campaign yet as he continues to be fully involved in the job he was elected to perform over the last nearly eight years.
"That is being involved in all aspects possible as the city continues to grow and develop. Being available to the public either in the office, by phone or when needed to meet up elsewhere, and also being involved in all city events helping wherever I can. I would be more than happy continuing to do so if the community wishes,” Marchisella said.
ElliotLakeToday asked him about his leadership style.
Marchisella: I believe over the last eight years, I have used some of the experience and knowledge gained through my military career to be able to lead by example where I can be just and fair while chairing committees that I am chair of and also be lenient and fair while sitting as mayor during council deliberations.
I believe that giving members of the council every opportunity to speak and say their piece is important, and have only had to be stern a few times when certain members step outside their lane or become belligerent with others.
This community has come a long way in the last eight years, starting with pulling us out of a financial hole and deficit, creation and adoption of a long-term infrastructure plan that has seen not just surfaces of roads repaired but also the critical infrastructure underground being replaced.
I truly believe that not only is this extremely important for any town, but I think we need to ramp it up and start adding new infrastructure for future growth.
ElliotLakeToday: What about that future? After all the changes and population fluctuations Elliot Lake has experienced over the years, where do we find ourselves heading into 2023?
Marchisella: For the first time in three decades, the population has grown in a positive manner, and we are now at the point for the first time since the mines were operating of a need to expand.
We have sold almost all available residential, commercial and industrial land, which has seen more new builds than in the previous decades and will see more new buildings going up in the next two years.
ElliotLakeToday: There has been some criticism from local builders that outside interests have been favoured by the council by being selected to purchase scarce city-owned serviced land. How do you respond to these comments?
Marchisella: My door has always been open to anyone from our community and also open to any prospective investors and developers in a non-biased fashion. Taking from my business education, I have pushed ideas that have changed how Elliot Lake is marketed, “Not just an amazing place to retire, but an amazing and safe place to raise a family,” also promoting the quality of life and outdoors we have, which has shifted our demographics a bit to an equal area."
ElliotLakeToday: As for needed infrastructure improvements, improvements are being made on your watch as mayor, but some people say they're not enough. How do you respond?
Marchisella: We have put more money towards upgrades and repairs to our city facilities than in previous administrations, which adds to the quality of life for our residents, and through phased-in approaches, we can and will begin to build new (ones).”
Why? Because Elliot Lakers deserve it! I try to be approachable and respectful to all, regardless of whether we see eye to eye on topics, and this has helped so many people with their personal lives as well.
I can say that come the fall, I will have much more to say, but for now, regardless of whether the community deems me fit to remain in this position, it has both been humbling and also a privilege to serve. Thank you.
To date, the only other nominee running for mayor in next October's Elliot Lake municipal election is veteran Councillor Chris Patrie.
Nominations close at 2 p.m. on Aug.19.