Stephen Mandel – Mayor, The City of Edmonton
Initially considered a long shot in a race against a popular three-term incumbent and a high-profile challenger with a large campaign war chest, Stephen Mandel became the dark horse that cantered to an easy victory in Edmonton’s mayoralty election in October 2004.
Mandel, a successful property developer turned city councillor, assembled a talented campaign team that included federal Liberals and provincial Tories to handily win the centre seat in council chambers. Once settled, Mandel wasted no time in making an impact, securing the funds from the provincial government to fast-track a $500-million LRT expansion, suggesting taxpayers receive a direct rebate from the city’s $11.7-million budget surplus and aggressively extolling the Alberta capital’s new business-friendly environment. As well as receiving bouquets from businessmen, Mandel also received plaudits from the city’s arts community for several cultural pronouncements, calling for a civic poet laureate, a public arts gala and an architectural makeover to spruce up Edmonton’s downtown. – WG
What will be your key achievement in your first term as Edmonton’s mayor?
To rekindle the capital city’s spirit and the spirit of Edmonton. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost confidence. This is a great city, but we talk about it very softly. We have to puff out our chests and talk a little more loudly about it.
Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?
There’s lots of them. From my point of view, Alexander Rutherford, for starting the University of Alberta and making Edmonton the province’s capital city.
In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?
I’ve never thought about it, to be honest. I just don’t know. You are defining it by what you contribute and I’m not finished yet. If I could rekindle the spirit of Edmonton, I’d be satisfied with that. I don’t look for historical references. Whatever happens will happen. I’ll leave it to future generations to judge my achievements.
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