They're Off.......

Somebody please say it isn't so. There could be a by-election for the mayor's position if Larry O'Brien is found guilty of the charges against him which will be heard in a trial set for early May.

Another costly burden to be borne by Ottawa's already tapped-out ratepayers. A by-election is likely a sure thing given the fact so many City Council members are either publicly or privately lusting after the mayor's chair -- meaning there won't be a consensus on appointment from within to fill out this term which mercifully will end in 19 months.

Councillor Alex Cullen has made no secret of his ambition. While watching a CJOH item on the new OC Transpo double-decker buses earlier this week, Citizen Ellie noted that Councillor Cullen shifted his position a couple of times -- all the better to get his mug on TV at Mayor Larry's right shoulder. That was the same day Mayor Larry announced he intended to seek re-election. The very next day, Councillor Cullen announced he would be running for mayor, whenever the job comes open.

Mayor Larry does not appear to be worried about the pending trial. The smart money in this town says a) the charges against him will be withdrawn or b) he'll be acquitted.

Should Mayor Larry be convicted, common sense would dictate an interim appointment from within to avoid the cost of an election. Unfortunately common sense has been in short supply in the council chamber and this is bad news for Ottawa taxpayers. By-elections cost big bucks -- dollars which could be better spent on other things.

Councillor Cullen has staked out his position. Can Councillors Hume, Doucet, Chiarelli and Deans be far behind ? The city's business will grind to a halt as the politicking commences -- but will anyone really notice, given the circus on Laurier Ave. to which we've become accustomed ? Occupying the mayor's chair on an interim basis might give somebody a leg-up when the real election comes around in November 2010, but being the incumbent doesn't necessarily guarantee re-election. Just ask Bob Chiarelli.

The real election, the one in November 2010, promises to be extremely interesting. If not in the hoosegow, Mayor Larry will run again. Several councillors will consider running, and some will withdraw -- not Councillor Cullen. Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson is denying rumors that he will have a go -- but don't count him out, especially if a change of government in Ontario might be in the cards in 2011. Probably more fun to be the mayor of the nation's capital than sitting on the opposition benches in the Ontario legislature.

None of these putative mayors stand a chance in 2010 if the Francophone community puts forward one of its own as a candidate. There's talk that Ottawa-Vanier MP, Hon. Mauril Belanger, might be persuaded to carry the flag. He's well-known and respected in the community and he's had experience at the municipal level, albeit in a non-elected capacity. If the Harper government goes down to defeat and Iggy succeeds as Prime Minister, having the Hon. Mauril in the mayor's chair could very well be a boon for the city.

Among other things, the Francophone community is not happy with the progress of bilingualism at City Hall. They know how to organize. And they know how to win. Think back to hospital restructuring the the late 1990s and the "Save the Montfort" campaign.

Pierre Benoit was the last Francophone to occupy the mayor's chair. The time is ripe for a credible candidate from this community. And there would be support from other quarters. ABCC (Anybody But Current Councillors) is a phrase which will be heard more often as the real election ( 2010) draws nigh. In the meantime, let them dream of being measured for new robes.

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