A clear vision for Brampton

Is experience and forward thinking enough to make former city councillor Garnett Manning the city's next mayor?

BY: Erica Phillips

Garnett Manning is passionate about youth and he loves Brampton. That's why he wants to be the city's mayor.

"I'm not running against the other candidates, I'm running with a vision for Brampton," he says. "With the challenges of uncontrolled growth and property taxes, escalating youth violence and seniors at risk of being taxed out of their homes, Brampton's most urgent need is a clear vision for the future and a balanced plan for growth and development."

The former city councillor wants Brampton to be a healthy community, where people know their neighbours and more amenities are within walking distance of their homes. He is willing to work with builders and developers, and asserts that there needs to be a different approach to building. Manning also believes that northwest Brampton presents opportunities for a live-work community. "We have to shift from being a dormitory community to a more integrated community."

One of the issues Manning wants to tackle is the response from downtown businesses to the expansion of City Hall and the revitalization of downtown Brampton. He says the businesses currently don't believe the expansion of the city's administrative offices will benefit them. Manning even wants to build strong relationships with every level of government and other municipalities for a better city. "We are not in competition with Mississauga," he clarifies.

Manning, who served one term (2003 to 2006) as a councillor in northeast Brampton for Wards 9 and 10, and occasionally served as acting mayor, said the wards in which he worked are two of the city's most diverse. Brampton, overall, has a population of more than 452,000, with more than 175 ethnic groups who speak more than 70 languages. Manning is clear that he wants to be mayor for all of the people of Brampton and says it makes no sense to service only one community. He has a track record of representing different groups to back up the talk.

As a councillor, Manning advocated for the creation of the Brampton Soccer Centre, and established the first library facility in northeast Brampton (a temporary site). A supporter of seniors, he also secured facilities and park services for mature adults in Springdale and Castlemore through the advocacy process. After serving as councillor, Manning became an outreach worker with the Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre (BNRC) for three years. The experience gave him special insight into the concerns of a range of residents: "People need leaders who are sensitive to their needs. I learned that through BNRC and working in the community."

Aside from being chair and founder of the Garnett Manning Youth and Leadership Foundation, Manning is also a board member with the Peel Children's Aid Society, has volunteered with the United Achievers Club of Brampton and the Brampton Citizens for a Great City Advisory Committee. He has several community recognition accolades, including a Brampton Clean City Award.

Brampton's political landscape

Brampton is a very diverse city. According to the 2006 census, more than 53,000 residents identified themselves as black. The following black candidates are running for office this October:

Garnett Manning
Mayor

Len carby
Regional Councillor (Wards 2 and 6)

Yaw Osei-Aning
City Councillor
(Wards 1 and 5)

David Green*
Trustee Peel District School Board
(Wards 1 and 3)

Suzanne Nurse*
Trustee Peel District School Board
(Wards 2, 9 and 10)

Carole Walker
Trustee Peel District School Board
(Wards 4, 5 and 6)

Municipal politicians (city and regional councillors and school trustees) handle many of the issues that affect you everyday. These issues include: social housing, building regulations and permits, local heritage resources, public transit, land use, urban design, snow removal, roads, libraries, animal services, fire and emergency services, property taxes, sanitation, business licensing, parks and recreation, schools (i.e. expulsions) and more.

- Municipal elections take place across Ontario on Oct. 25, 2010