The Mayoral Race
We're Focusing on the Election of a New Mayor: Here's Why
Mayor Annette Groves used Strong Mayor Powers to advance her agenda of rapid, poorly planned growth and development, with little regard for the impacts on the Town’s financial health, the environment and public trust. She was supported by four Council allies (Russo, Rosa, Napoli, Maskell). Of the four Councillors who routinely voted with Groves, Mario Russo is running to be Caledon’s next mayor. But based on his voting record, Caledon can’t afford to elect Russo. Mario Russo is Annette Groves 2.0.
Mayors establish the direction for their municipality. They represent its values and provide leadership to set the tone for how Council functions. In our opinion, mayoral candidates must have previous experience on Caledon Council. That’s why, of the five candidates for Mayor, we are focusing only on Christina Early and Mario Russo. They both have Council voting records with which we can judge their character, integrity and vision for Caledon.
We Endorse Christina Early for Mayor: Here's Why
Since March 2024, Democracy Caledon has participated in and closely tracked Council and Committee meetings. On all major issues important to Caledon residents – managing urban growth, sound financial management and forecasting, and protection of Caledon’s hamlets, villages, precious countryside and its irreplaceable natural spaces, groundwater and surface water – Christina Early is tops. She has listened to the public’s concerns, worked with her fellow councillors to find solutions, and voted with the good of Caledon in mind. Her voting record speaks for itself.
We Do NOT Support Mario Russo: Here's Why
Mario Russo’s voting record speaks volumes. As is clear in the chart below, Russo routinely voted with Mayor Groves on five key issues in the current term of Council in which Democracy Caledon was closely involved. This has NOT served the good of Caledon. Groves has been one of the most negative and destructive mayors in Caledon’s history, serving first and foremost the interests of developers over those of Caledon residents. She made no effort to lead Council in a collaborative way. With Russo voting the way he has at Council, we see that if he were Mayor, he would continue to put developers’ interests above those of residents. As Mayor, would his Council leadership be similar to that of Groves? There’s an old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
For more information on each Council vote, click or tap on the cells in the left-hand column.
