Vote for Mario Fazio for City/County Council

Mario Fazio explains why he’s running and how he would put his experience in housing, business and development to work for Sarnia-Lambton.

I’m running for Sarnia City/County Council because I believe I can help our city work better.

I want better organization at city hall, more accountability for how we spend public money and more transparency around the decisions that affect us. I want us to make decisions that move our community forward, and then follow through on them.

Sarnia has been my home throughout my life. It’s where I’ve raised my family, built businesses and worked with people from many different backgrounds. This community has given me opportunities, and I believe the experience I’ve gained here could be useful at the council table.

Experience that applies to the work ahead

Much of my working life has involved housing, development and business. That work teaches you how many things need to come together before a project can proceed.

You need to understand the property, the regulations, the costs and the approval process. You need to work with municipal staff, planners, engineers, contractors and other professionals. You need to negotiate, solve problems and keep moving when something becomes difficult.

I’ve spent years working through those details. I understand that a good idea is only the beginning. Someone has to take responsibility for helping it become a completed project.

That is the experience I would bring to council.

I won’t arrive with every answer. I will bring practical knowledge, a willingness to ask questions and the ability to work with people toward a decision.

Making better use of local knowledge

One of Sarnia’s strengths is the experience of the people who live here.

Through my work, I’ve built relationships with people who understand construction, infrastructure, business and the challenges of getting things done locally. If elected, I want to draw on that knowledge.

There are times when specialized outside advice is necessary. But before we hire another consultant, I want us to ask what expertise we already have, what we need to learn and what the work will accomplish.

Residents deserve to understand why money is being spent and how that spending will help the community. We should be clear about the advice we are buying, the decisions it will support and who will be responsible for acting on it.

Respecting the money residents contribute

Property taxes are a significant expense for households and businesses. Council has a responsibility to examine spending carefully while providing the services people rely on.

My approach would be to understand the costs, question duplication and look for better ways to manage the work.

That applies to everyday administration and major capital decisions, including the future of our police facilities. Before committing residents to a major expense, we need a clear understanding of the options, their full costs and the needs they are intended to meet.

I’ve managed businesses, negotiated agreements and made decisions where costs matter. I would bring that same attention to public money.

Moving housing and infrastructure forward

Housing is an area where I believe my experience could make a difference.

We need housing that people can afford and options that meet different needs. We also need to understand what is preventing projects from proceeding and work through those obstacles.

My background has given me experience with development approvals, construction and the relationships needed to move a proposal forward. I want to use that experience to help create workable housing solutions.

Infrastructure requires the same practical attention. Roads, sewers and other public assets need planning, funding and decisions about priorities. Council needs to understand the work, ask informed questions and consider the long-term consequences of delaying it.

Working together at city and county

I’m seeking a city/county seat because cooperation between those levels of government matters.

Residents should be able to expect their representatives to work through differences and keep addressing a problem, even when responsibility is shared.

I believe I can negotiate with people at both tables and help build agreement. My working life has involved bringing people with different interests together, understanding what each needs and finding a way to proceed.

That takes patience. It also takes a willingness to make a decision and accept responsibility for it.

Accountability people can see

Transparency should be part of how council works throughout its term.

People should be able to find out what council is considering, how their representatives voted and why a decision was made. They should have regular opportunities to ask questions and raise concerns.

I support accessible voting records and regular town halls because residents deserve an ongoing connection with the people elected to represent them.

I’m running because I believe Sarnia can make progress, and because I believe I have something useful to contribute.

On October 26, I’m asking for your vote for Sarnia City/County Council.

I would welcome the opportunity to put my experience to work for this community.

Learn more at fazioforsarnia.ca, email [email protected] or call 519-383-2566.