Hurricane Hazel in Mississauga...Will she or won't she?

Over the summer GTA voters have been bombarded with news from the Toronto battle of Ford vs Smitherman. It has appeared to be the only story worth following. However, I beg to differ.

I must draw your attention west of the city. A major battle is about to occur in Mississauga, where Hurricane Hazel has reigned for over 30 years.

In 2006 less than 25% of Mississauga voted (shame on you Mississauga!). Hazel won 92% of the vote.
She did not spend a dime on her campaign...no signs...no literature...virtually no campaign.

This election it's different. Appearing before a council called inquiry (costing taxpayers $5 million and counting) has no doubt bruised the Mayor. Has it bruised her so badly she will pack it in? Or will it anger and energize her? Who knows?


What we do know is that Hazel has not yet filed her candidate papers.

Next Friday afternoon nominations are closed. She maintains that she is going to run yet nothing is filed with the city clerk.

So people ask..."will she or won't she?".

This question, this potential opportunity, has Carolyn Parrish in a quandry. She will not face off against Hazel because by all accounts she would lose. But if the Mayor doesn't run Parrish has missed a golden opportunity to claim the chair she so ambitiously covets. So what to do?

I know...take out some insurance...a little "just in case" policy. Why not run someone that could be a placeholder...to keep the seat warm if you will, should the circumstance present itself for a shot at the title, should the Mayor decide to retire.

Enter Mr. George Winter who filed his papers to run for Mayor last week.

George Winter's political credentials include working for both Carolyn Parrish and George Carlson (Thing One and Thing Two or Dynamic Duo? ).

Apparently the history with George and Carolyn is just a coincidence. (I'm not buying it!).

Perhaps a little history is in order.

Carlson and Parrish have over the last 3 years organized the opposition to the Mayor...using a variety of tactics to intimidate both fellow councillors and city staff and have created a poisonous stagnant air in Mississauga only rivaled by that in Ottawa.

Team Parrish (aka The Gang of Seven) have begun to plan for Carolyn's ascension to the throne...and they outdo themselves to curry favour with the would-be queen.

Not so fast.  All of Team Parrish faces challenges in their respective wards, from credible, intelligent candidates who want to see a return of constructive and effective government in Mississauga. 

Ward 6 is the epi-centre of this battle, where the "Carolyn Parrish Must Go!" movement is embodied in the person of Ron Starr. Prevailing wisdom seems to say Carolyn's star in Mississauga has grown dimmer, not brighter with her self admitted "evil Carolyn" moments. As the two sides face off the intensity of this battle will increase and look for this one to get nasty.

If the Mayor does file next week, will she run a campaign? Will she go after those who threaten to smear her legacy? Will she be Hurricane Hazel one last time?

So tune in to The Battle for Mississauga...what happens there could be as entertaining as Toronto. Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine...a GTA ruled by Carolyn Parrish and Rob Ford. (involuntary shudder)!