Toronto's Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone has been thinking about running for mayor long enough - almost.
This week, the councillor for Trinity-Spadina said the chances of him seeking the top job at Toronto City Hall have moved from "maybe" to "probably"."I have changed my position from saying I'm considering running for mayor, that it's a possibility, to it's a probability," Pantalone said. "The reason I'm doing it is I've looked at the overall situation that we're going to be facing for the next few years, and Joe Pantalone will get the job done."Pantalone has been musing about running for mayor since Mayor David Miller announced he wouldn't seek re-election in fall. Since then, two candidates have said they're definitely running - York West Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and Toronto Centre-Rosedale MPP George Smitherman. TTC chair Adam Giambrone has said he's considering it, as has budget chief Shelley Carroll. Former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory is also seriously considering a run.Pantalone has been Miller's right hand through the last two terms of office, and shortly after he announced his retirement, Miller singled out Pantalone as a worthy successor.When asked if he still felt that way now that Pantalone has said he'll likely be on the ballot, Miller responded with a simple "Yes."But he wouldn't go so far as offering an official endorsement."I think Deputy Mayor Pantalone, Councillor Carroll and Councillor Giambrone have all shown committed leadership and all have a vision of Toronto," he said. "To me, the next mayor, whether coming from inside city hall or outside, needs to be able to say to the people of Toronto, this is what I want to do, here is my track record. It's not just a job. And I admire the deputy mayor very much because he's a city builder. The same thing with councillors Carroll and Giambrone."Pantalone wouldn't go into detail of what his plans are for Toronto, but he said his track record indicates he would strive to deal with tough economic times and maintain the city to the level Torontonians expect."You can do it so that we protect the services which make Torontonians proud to be Torontonians and at the same time make sure (we understand) these are hard times. During hard times you need people who know what they're doing here rather than people who will guess."Pantalone bristled at the suggestion his candidacy would mark a continuation of Miller's mayoralty in a different name. "I think David Miller's David Miller and Joe Pantalone's Joe Pantalone," he said. "We're different people. We look different. He is tall blond-haired and blue-eyed. My background is quite different. Interestingly enough, we all know that 50 per cent of Torontonians were not born in this country and I happen to be one of those. We also know there's never been a mayor whose mother tongue was neither English nor Gaelic. So therefore, this is the real Toronto as far as I'm concerned."Pantalone said he would make his intentions known officially in early January.