That doesn't sound like a denial

So a local political blogger mentioned in a post earlier today Coun. Cam Guthrie "has announced he is running for Mayor."

That would be news to me if it's true, so I emailed Guthrie to ask him. I expected a one-word response rhyming with "Yo," but instead received the following:

Scott, 

I have received, and continue to receive, hundreds of expressions of support from across this city and I truly thank each and every person for their encouragement. Understandably, a decision such as this cannot be made lightly. I will not make any commitment at this time without the full support from my wife and children, and a sense of a true “calling” of serving Guelph in that role.

 There’s a proper time and place for campaigns. They take a great amount of time, money and focus. Yet I was elected by Ward 4 to concentrate on the daily opportunities and challenges for our city. I also made a promise to the residents of Ward 4 to focus on important issues such as fiscal accountability, greater communication, more transparency and using common sense. I continue to work on bringing more commercial opportunities, addressing graffiti and looking for ways to link our ward to the rest of the city, all while respecting the hard earned tax dollars of our residents.

 There is still much work to be done. In the meantime, I would encourage the citizens of Guelph to think very carefully of what type of Guelph they wish to wake up to in the fall of 2014. My hope is that it will be a city led by common sense, less government interference and making Guelph the best city in the world.

 Thank you,  

Cam Guthrie

Comments

[K.]

Cam - PLEASE RUN!!!!!!

[S]

It should be interesting working as staffer at City Hall over the next 2 years while the current Council campaigns in advance of 2014. And people wonder why the real work of running a city isn't getting done....

[GUELPH]

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This comment has been edited, as per our policies.)

I am not looking forward to the possibility of the city of Guelph being run by a Conservative crony whose ultimate goal is to attain the position of Stephen Harper's lap dog.

[Karl Morant]

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This comment has been edited. As a result of editing to another posted comment, it had portions that were no longer in context.)

I hope that Cam will run for mayor when the time comes. Guelph needs a mayor who will protect our tax dollars and also represent and work hard for the average Guelpher and not an elitist few.

For now I'm confident that Cam will continue representing Ward 4 and the city with the same hard work and dedication as always.

[resident]

I know for a fact Cam's latest show of raising money for the library internet was not his alone yet he will happily take credit. Sad and pathetic

[Steven Petric]

It is much too early to speculate on who may or may not be running for mayor in 2014 but since we are....I personally wish that Gloria would run for it. She has served Ward 4 for more then 20 plus years. She has worked hard for the people of Guelph and, even though I do not agree with everything she has stood for, I still respect her for being open-minded and having a commitment to finding balanced and fair solutions for our city.

[Jennifer]

@resident: What is the problem with Cam assisting with fundraising for the library? He's certainly enthusiastic in his promotion of the push for funds, and I read that $2500 has already been raised. I'm more inclined to appreciate than criticize on this one. Anyone else who is involved can feel free to speak up - the more the word spreads, the better!

[Steve]

I'm curious whether Cam thinks library Internet access is in the public interest, and if so, why he's not pursuing a public funding solution.

[Sean]

They should look at corporate sponsors like Rogers or Bell. Better yet, get the citywide Wifi up and running and we wont have this problem

[geo]

If it's a two horse race, Cam versus Her Royal Highness then Her Royal Majesty had better see what she can remember about biology or whatever it was she spent all that time in University for.

[ernie]

I think Cam is merely being pragmatic with the library funding issue. When it comes to funding cuts from other levels of gov't, they always run downhill, and there is little we can do to stop this trend other than to look for creative solutions.

This quality alone suggests to me that he would make a better mayor than the my-way-or-the-highway idealist we have now.