Tucker Declares Candidacy

Narrowly missing the final seat as a city councillor in the 2003 election, Tom Tucker has decided to take another run at a seat on council.

Tucker submitted his candidacy papers today at City Hall officially declaring his intention to run in the 2006 election. Tucker says he has a vested interest in the future of the city when asked why he tossed his hat into the ring.

“As you know, I ran in the last municipal election and finished 12th, just 46 votes out of a current seat on City Council. I ran a campaign in 2003 that identified economic development as the key to reducing or maintaining tax burdens.”

Tucker, a current director for the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, identified several key issues in his platform including youth out-migration and sustainable employment.

“Despite all time housing starts and increased executive employment opportunities in the high tech and educational fields, we continue to see out-migration of both youth and families. Three years ago, our published population was 56000 and we have recently re-posted it at 53000. That is a reduction of more than 5%."

“We need to continue the excellent work the current council has done with executive and high tech employment support, but we also need to encourage economic growth in the service areas and to the lesser-educated or motivated residents of our city at the same time. These people are important to our future as well and should not be given any less attention,” he states.

As a current member of the Rotary Club, Director with the Nipissing District Developmental Screen, a former Director of the Laurentian Ski Club, Canadian Ecology Centre, Past District 8 Cystic Fibrosis Executive Director, and Past Executive Committee member of the North Bay Baseball Association, Tucker brings a wealth of professional and life knowledge to the table.

“My professional training as a solution consultant has given me the tools to analyse all aspects of a challenge, listen to educated input from all involved and to be able to negotiate solutions that will promote a suitable working environment for all.”

“I also have over 24 years of permanent residence in this city and I care deeply about the future we have in store for our current and future populations,” he states.

To run any campaign one needs a good support network and Tucker has his in order.

“My family supported me in the last election and were very involved in the campaign. With both my daughter and son now living away from home, my extended family and friends have stepped up to the plate and I will be well served with a much larger support group ready to meet the campaign challenge head on.”