Drew Dilkens wants to continue as Windsor’s mayor.
Dilkens announced Tuesday morning that he is seeking re-election.
“We have a proven and successful track record,” said Dilkens as he filed his nomination papers at the new $30-million city hall.
Dilkens believes the Rose city has improved during his leadership.
“When the public goes back and says ‘What was Drew about?’ ‘Did he follow his commitments?’ I'm going to pull that plan out and say here's what I said I was going to do and here's what I did,” said Dilkens. “It matches up very well."
Dilkens touted a drop the city's unemployment rate under his leadership, as well as record investments in roads and sewers and a decline in social service case loads.
One of his competitors, who we know to be Matt Marchand, worked in the mayor's office in the 1990's. Dilkens said the city can't afford to go backwards.
“When the city was increasing debt, using credit card to finance operations,” noted Dilkens. “I look forward to how we've turned this city around and how we will continue to move it forward and build on success.”
Marchand welcomed Dilkens to the race Tuesday.
“I look forward to robust debate in our community,” said Marchand, the former CEO of the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.
Marchand is campaigning on a new vision for Windsor. He has already introduced rotating council meetings as part of his platform. Marchand also wants to increase recycling opportunities and pledges to revitalize downtown Windsor.
“It affects the opportunity for businesses to come,” said Marchand. “It’s the face of our community, we want to make sure our downtown is a positive place for people to visit.”
Tom Hensel is also running for mayor. He told CTV News earlier in the campaign that it's time to re-focus the city's priorities.
“We need better leadership to shift priorities away from flashy things and to focus on fundamentals.”
Businessman Ernie Lamont has also filed his papers. Often called ‘the Baconman,’ Lamont ran in the 2014 election and finished fourth.
Frank Dyck also wants to be mayor and is campaigning to make Windsor the cleanest city in the country “by having city buses run on vegetable oil instead of diesel.”
Dilkens defeated 11 other candidates for the mayor's job in 2014.
The nomination period ends Friday at 2 p.m.
The municipal election is Oct. 22.
