As a real estate agent for almost two decades, Fior Tucci has sold the virtues of Orillia every day.
That love of his hometown and a desire to improve it drove him to throw his hat into the ring in Ward 3, where he is one of five candidates vying for two seats at the city council table.
“I’ve always been interested in politics and I have always been involved in the community,” said the 49-year-old who worked in advertising at The Packet & Times prior to becoming a real estate agent. “I was involved in parents’ councils when the kids were younger and, most recently, I’ve been very involved in minor hockey.”
Tucci held various executive positions during his eight years with minor hockey – including a turn in the president’s chair. He says that volunteer job was great training to be a city councillor.
“We had 11 members on the board … and as chair I always made a point that everyone had a chance to talk,” said Tucci. “I learned that communication is key and you have to be a team player.”
He said he will bring those traits to City Hall. “In real estate, you have to answer your phone and reply to emails … I will return every call and email,” he promised. “I will be accessible.”
Tucci has embodied that in his approach to getting elected. He has already been to every home in Ward 3 and discovered “the majority” of people are in favour of the potential sale of Orillia Power’s distribution company to Hydro One.
“I have done my research and feel it will be a great opportunity today and tomorrow, should this deal be approved and the jobs and proposed components Hydro One is planning to locate in Orillia come to fruition,” said Tucci.
He believes the sale would be a “catalyst” for jobs and investment.
“I relate the sale of the distribution portion of Orillia Power to the day our parents decide to sell their home and either downsize or move to an apartment,” said Tucci. “They sell the home as they no longer want to do everyday maintenance and major repairs like shingles, furnace, flooring etc. and take the proceeds from the sale and invest it to cover their living expenses for the apartment or smaller home or condo they move into.”
Two other issues dominate. He said most people feel taxes are too high and they want to see more jobs and growth.
But people also want more bus shelters, improved snow clearing, they want to see electronic bikes regulated and have concerns about water pressure.
“I don’t know all the answers, but I have the ability to deal with issues on the fly,” said Tucci. “I have common sense.”
That common sense has him a bit worried about what the operation costs at the new recreation centre might do to the city’s bottom line.
“The operating costs concern me,” said Tucci, who has researched potential costs associated with the aquatic centre set to open next year. He said the city is looking to hire 75 lifeguards for the facility.
“If they each made $25,000, that adds up to $1.87 million a year,” said Tucci. Using that amount only and not factoring in any other costs, the city, he estimates, would have to rent out pool time 360 days a year, 18 hours each day, at a rate of $246 per hour to recover those costs.
“That’s not even considering pool chemicals, heat, hydro or anything else,” he said. “That is definitely a concern.”
Editor's Note: OrilliaMatters is profiling all candidates in Orillia's municipal election. They are being published daily, by ward, in alphabetical order. The mayoralty candidates will also be profiled.
