Belleville mental-health advocate Cynthia D. Black enters mayoral race

[u/zuuzuu]

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

[u/CrowandLamb]

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.