Enza Anderson joins the race for Rae's seat

Enza Anderson joins the race for Rae's seat. Enza Anderson filed her papers at Toronto City Hall to to replace Kyle Rae in Ward 27. Staff photo/DAVID NICKLE

"I think I'm going to do great," said Anderson after filing her nomination papers at Toronto City Hall Wednesday, Jan. 20. "I'm going to win. I'm going to put a lot of work into this election. I'm ready to make a great new career change. It's all about showing people you have the confidence to do the job."

Anderson, 45, has never been shy of confidence - or shy, for that matter.

She ran against Mel Lastman and Tooker Gomberg for mayor in 2000, coming in third; and in 2003, she tried to unseat Rae from the Ward 27 seat on council.

Known from those elections for over-the-top costume and comments, Anderson struck a different pose as she came in to register, wearing simple black pants and blouse and armed with the beginnings of a platform that was almost mundane: better transportation, a consultative approach to development and an approach to taxes that gives homeowners a break.

"I want people to look beyond my gender and hear my ideas about making this city great," she said. "I think I proved that when I ran for mayor in 2000 and came in third. I've proven that when I ran for council in 2003 and came in second in that election. In all the things that I've done, people saw beyond my gender and saw my ideas."

In a scrum with reporters, Anderson detailed some of those.

She said she wanted to do something about the property tax burden of homeowners and businesses.

"I think that's totally wrong to have homeowners bear the brunt of high taxes. What people want are tax resources that are used efficiently and used in the right places," she said. "Sometimes people get frustrated because money's being wasted on little pet projects that have nothing to do with making the city better."

Transit, said Anderson, needs to focus more on the customer.

"I think our councillors have been sitting on expansion for years," said Anderson. "We need to see how other cities are moving people in terms of getting people to work in places. I think we're falling terribly behind."

As for bike lanes, Anderson said she's all for them. But not the ones slated to go in on Jarvis Street.

"The simple fact is that Jarvis is a thoroughfare to get people to work," she said. "If we reduce that street we cause more gridlock. We could put bike lanes everywhere else. But for one street that is sorely needed to get people to and from work, that we could sacrifice - that one street."

Anderson said she favours big, job-creating development. And that, she said, includes one very controversial development that was struck down in late 2003.

"I think the Island airport needs a bridge," said Anderson. "I think it's a great time to have a bridge at the Island airport. People are employed there, doing business and travelling to do business for Toronto."

Anderson is joining a crowded race. Also running in Ward 27 are Rob Alemo, Paul Spence, Chris Tindal and Simon Wookey.