Ted Clugston launches re-election campaign with pre-recorded video

“Why do we think experience doesn’t matter in running a city with a $400-million annual budget?” Cluston said.

He made his speech while standing next to a slideshow, highlighting businesses that have opened during his time as mayor and as a council member, including the Aurora Cannabis greenhouse.

He defended the city’s work to attract the company, even though the facility will not be completed.

“They created hundreds of construction jobs and are now a tax-paying entity in the city,” Clugston said.

The building has been listed for sale since March.

Clugston focused on the promises he made eight years ago before becoming mayor. He mentioned the FLC expansion, flood berms, 603 First Street and more.

“They have all happened, all of these promises have come true and I think I have proven I am a doer and not a talker.”

Clugston addressed the high number of candidates running for council, which he suspects is related to COVID. He thinks people are angry, motivating them to seek election. He also says he’s never seen so much hatred spewed by candidates.

“I have spent the last 18 months trying to keep the peace, and trying to keep, and bring the community together to have respect for each other however it’s been hard because many of the media has been dividing us from social media, to mainstream constantly focusing on division,” Clugston said.

He also challenged those who say he doesn’t support frontline workers, saying his dad was a doctor, mom was a registered nurse and his sister is a respiratory therapist.

“Health care is my family business for three generations,” Clugston said.

For the rest of his speech, Clugston looked to the future and the next four years. He says the Waterfront District is a vision and he welcomes feedback as nothing is “written in stone.” Clugston says he won’t be closing Finlay Bridge and River Road.

On recreation facilities, he acknowledges the city needs more sheets of ice in order to host tournaments.

“Our existing facilities are getting old and expensive to maintain and operate,” Clugston said. “We could build new, and possibly even save money over the long term because we could increase the tax base and save on operating costs rather than dumping capital into old buildings.”

The city closed two outdoor pools and one ice rink last year.

Clugston also pitched a large outdoor destination waterpark in the city’s south.

He wrapped up his re-election speech by saying what separates him from the other candidates.

“I love this city and I have proved it,” Clugston said.

Clugston didn’t take questions as the video was pre recorded and he couldn’t be reached for comments.

by Teagan Rasche

Ted Clugston launches re-election campaign with pre-recorded video

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