London

Three candidates, three visions for London as the race for mayor gets underway

London mayoral candidates Tanya Park, Paul Paolatto and Paul Cheng sat down for interviews and were each asked why they want the top job at City Hall.

Mayoral hopefuls discuss their intentions on CBC Radio's London Morning

London mayoral candidates Tanya Park, Paul Paolatto and Paul Cheng. (CBC)

The municipal election campaign is officially underway in London. Candidates started filing their papers when nominations opened on May 1.

Current mayor Matt Brown is not seeking re-election. That means Londoners will be voting for a new mayor in the fall.

Those vying for the top job at City Hall include Tanya Park, Paul Paolatto and Paul Cheng.

They each sat down for interviews on CBC Radio's London Morning to discuss why they want the job.

Tanya Park is currently serving her first term as a councillor for Ward 13. She discussed her intentions with host Jennifer Hall on Tuesday, May 1.

Tanya Park at CBC London on May 1, 2018 (Jennifer Hall/CBC)

"One of the things that I've heard from across the city is that people want to leadership done differently at City Hall, and they want someone in place that says what they mean and mean what they say. Over the past four years, I've demonstrated both of those things," said Park.

Listen to the entire interview:

Paul Paolatto has been an entrepreneur, CEO and business owner in London for the past 18 years. He's also sat on the London Police Services Board. Paolatto sat down with host Julianne Hazlewood on Wednesday, May 2.

Paul Paolatto at CBC London on May 2, 2018 (Julianne Hazlewood/CBC)

"The biggest thing from my perspective is I believe the city is in a bit of an economic and social malaise and with my experience and my ability to build teams suggests that I can fix it," said Paolatto.

"I think that the city is much better off with some new leadership and with somebody who has a background, not just a business background, but an ability to pull people together and focus on a brand new day."

Listen to the entire interview:

Paul Cheng is a local businessman who is taking a second run at the mayor's chair after being defeated by Matt Brown in 2014. Cheng discussed why he's throwing his hat into the ring again with host Julianne Hazlewood on Thursday, May 3.

Paul Cheng at CBC London on May 3, 2018 (Julianne Hazlewood/CBC)

"I'm running for mayor because I want the fellow, the couple, the young man, the young woman down the street to have job opportunities, that have job offers, and I want their family, their children to have the opportunities that I did growing up in London," said Cheng.

Listen to the entire interview:

As of Friday May 4, three other candidates had filed their nomination papers to seek the mayor's job in London: Stephen Orser, Sean O'Connell and Jonas White.

The municipal election will be held on Monday, Oct. 22.