Mayor for a day

Dakota Allerston, Mayor For A Day, enjoys a moment with Mayor Victor Fedeli and Police Cheif Paul Cook.

E.T. Carmichael Public School student Dakota Allerston, armed with business cards and a can do attitude, showed up at city hall Wednesday to fulfil his duty as 'Mayor For A Day' Wednesday.

Bidding with his own funds, the 10-year old says he won the opportunity at the annual Red Ribbon Auction after a fierce battle with MP Anthony Rota’s daughter Samantha, but triumphed by sliding in a last minute bid of $61 … one dollar higher than hers.

Allerston says, while his eyes were opened to some of the ins and outs of running the city, he will need more than just one day to really understand all that is involved in being mayor but did learn a thing or two Wednesday.

“He signs a lot of papers in the morning,” he states.

Allerston had the opportunity to attend several events during the day including a promotion ceremony at police headquarters, a luncheon meeting of the Canadian Club and a tour of the Public Works Yards.

When asked why he would bid on the 'Mayor For A Day' item over the others that included hockey gear from the Skyhawks, Allerston was very clear.

“I thought it would be fun,” he says with a big smile.

“And because in the future I want to be the Mayor of North Bay.”