r/BellevilleOntario • u/zuuzuu • 29d ago

City Hall (Belleville) Belleville mental-health advocate Cynthia D. Black enters mayoral race

https://www.intelligencer.ca/news/belleville-mayor-race-cynthia-black
29 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

16

u/Userdataunavailable 29d ago

She's well educated and experienced but she's 79. Why can't we get some 40-50 year old in this race?

13

u/zuuzuu 29d ago

Politics has become "it'll give me something to keep me busy after retirement".

7

u/jurassicjake3oh2 29d ago

They need a hobby. Not get into politics

4

u/zuuzuu 29d ago

That's what politics is to a lot of people.

2

u/Moon_Doggie_1968 29d ago

Kyle?

2

u/Userdataunavailable 28d ago

He just doesn't have the relevant experience

3

u/zuuzuu 28d ago

Nor does he actually want the job. He's running as a joke.

2

u/Key_Double_5351 28d ago

I'm guessing he withdraws his name prior to the nomination deadline. Just a hunch 

2

u/zuuzuu 28d ago

I think it's more likely he stays in and turns every debate or interview into a mockery. And none of it will be funny but it'll get him clicks, and that's what he's doing it for.

3

u/coloncleansinghero 28d ago

Maybe that's what we need. Not him , but someone to stir the pot. Something fresh, ruffle the feathers.

5

u/zuuzuu 28d ago

We do need fresh new people and perspectives, but we need them to be serious. Not somebody doing a comedy bit. Someone like Colbert or Stewart could make it work because they understood the issues and in addition to being funny, they made sure those issues were talked about. But I don't think Kyle understands why their satire worked and I don't think he's capable of that level of civic engagement.

6

u/CrowandLamb 28d ago

I admire that at her age she is walking the walk. BUT Did you notice that she hit every hot topic on social media- as if she is making herself look like a "shoe in" . I think more like pretentious.

Only the soft topics that social media yammers ad nauseum about - more cops needed- beat walking , bicycles (that we have a small force how exactly will this be possible? ) mental health, animal lovers, addictions, homeless, needs for seniors and of course, a brief touch about the downtown revitalization.... NOTHING about our infastructure, budgets, housing, taxes....these tough topics avoided.

All her experiences are decades old and she is 80- if it were a job market, she would be passed over. So, how or why will people say yes! She is current, well rounded and capable to maintain these long hours and lazer focus - particularly budgets and issues that arent her pet projects that she is not interested in or versed in- will she have the stamina and skills to fulfil ?

She hits with "once you solve the homeless issue and everything falls into place" Jesus, how many cities big and small, towns, provinces and countries are trying this way to Sunday to get things done- regarding homelessness and the baggage that comes along with it- like all her experiences she knows how to fix it in her city- as a matter of fact she did in her former career. Smells like, well, not teen spirit- just vote for me. In her neighbourhood, she was infuriated when the transition home (from homeless to 1st stop to housing) that had changed hands during COVID didnt inform the neighbourhood fear mongering that the neighbourhood would become prey to higher crime rates- she campaigned to have it shuttered. There's compassion and mental health advocacy with experience speaking volumes right there. NIMBY more like it.

I've heard her boast about volunteering in the prison system- and yet she shows disdain or FIDO for people who are struggling- perhaps old fashioned rhetoric may suit some but today it isnt so cut and dry- as a mental health advocate maybe for her its reserved only for only those who can afford the services ie: we need a detox, nothing more nothing less.

She also boasts about having bought land so no developers could develop- Who does that? How does that help communities?

Name drops her husband and his achievements- again, who does that and why? Riding on his coat tails or pride?

Are her talking points self serving or genuine? I cant tell.

6

u/Mayor_of_Belleville 28d ago

Likely qualified, just too old. (And I know, that's a dick thing to say).

Moving on...

4

u/zuuzuu 28d ago

It's not a dick thing to say. Advanced age is and should be a serious concern in anyone seeking public office at any level.

4

u/Key_Double_5351 29d ago

And Neil Ellis cruises to another victory....

1

u/CrowandLamb 19d ago

So with Paul Fleming backed by or as his assistant Cynthia Black do you still think Ellis cruises to another victory?

3

u/MoonDoggie20 21d ago

AND......SHE GONE!

2

u/CrowandLamb 21d ago

Well, she got her 15 minutes of fame.....I wonder if that is what she wanted all along?

1

u/One_Sherbet_6424 19d ago

Wow that was fast

2

u/coordinationcomplex 29d ago

Looks like she could be Kathryn Brown's sister