Duncan Armstrong: Why are you running for mayor and why should people in Quinte West vote for you?

Actions speak louder than words. Four years ago I made that statement and I believe for the past four years I've proven that I'm a man of action.  I'm a worker not a shirker. I feel that I've lived up to that claim and exceeded the expectations of the taxpayer.

As the next mayor I plan to work just as hard and if not harder. I have a solid set of relationships throughout this community with a vast array of groups.

For example the base commander is our largest partner, biggest client as far as I'm concerned. I have a great relationship with past Commanders, present commanders, and also their personnel. A lot of retired personnel in the area I know a lot of them basically because of my dad -- he was a military guy.

I also have a good relationship with the existing mayors, councillors, MPs, MPPs. I think that's very important that if you have a positive relationship with all those people, it helps make progress and open up doors.

My involvement with all the different types of groups, businesses, sports teams, seniors, churches, I think that's important. It tells people that I'm engaged and that's very important.

Our city staff - I think that's very important -- we have, I think one of the best in the region if not the province. I've worked with them in various settings and various capacities and they're very committed and they live up to the place to come and live, work and play. I think it's very important that I have a solid working relationship with them and I believe I have a solid rapport with them.

Because of all those types of things I think I'm ready to take on that job.

Four years ago you ran for council for the first time. How has four years on council reshaped your views or changed your views?

I think the biggest thing I learned which was probably one of my faults I've worked on all my life is I was very impatient. I've learned a lot more about patience.

You have your opinions, you have to respect the opinions of others especially the taxpayers. Sometimes a vote comes up I may feel, ‘This is what I really want,’ but when I look at the greater good I vote a lot of the times on what is best for the community.

I respect the process and that's my biggest thing, I've learned to be patient. Some things move slowly, some things move quickly. Win or lose, you have just let that issue go and move on to the next one.

Just a little follow-up to that is of course as mayor you are the head of council but you're still one vote on council which means you have to work with other people.

I feel that we're all leaders and we have to respect everybody on the same level. I'm just the chair of that committee and in the one sense when it comes to our meetings and committee meetings there are councillors heading various committees in a leadership role, sometimes as the chair sometimes as the vice-chair, sometimes as a member.

But they all have I think the same level of responsibility and I give them the same level of respect when we're all around the horseshoe together.

SCROLL DOWN TO HEAR the audio from the interview with Bill Glisky from Inquinte.ca.

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