Ward 13's Fyfe-Millar looks beyond council divisions to achieve goals for downtown
“I’m not accountable to the people (on city council) who voted me in. The important thing is being accountable to the residents of Ward 13,” said John Fyfe-Millar to CTV News London shortly after being appointed to fill a vacant seat on city council.
The second-place finisher in the 2018 election was appointed after a contentious debate and a narrow seven to six vote by London city council.
“I respect the fact that there was a lot of debate. I respect the passion that’s there,” says Fyfe-Millar. “To me, this (debate) is done. It’s time to move forward together.”
The ward includes downtown London and several core neighbourhoods.
“There’s a lot of great things going on down here, but I think we need to address some of those nagging issues,” he explains.
Fyfe-Millar commits to hit the ground running once he’s officially sworn into office.
“I think a real focus on the homelessness issue and the safety issue in our downtown has to be a priority. I also think when we look outside the downtown, there’s so much exciting happening in SOHO right now. There’s a development coming up there. I’ll be talking to the community about that. There’s also the development around Victoria Park and getting some insight on that.”
Fyfe-Millar will serve the remaining year of this council term, replacing Arielle Kayabaga who made the leap to federal politics.
He also commits to seek re-election in October 2022.
“My intent is to be here for the residents for the long term. Being here for the long term is committing to them in 2022. That makes me accountable today, tomorrow, and when I step into this role.”
Appointment followed contentious debate, narrow vote
Councillor Shawn Lewis voiced his support for the decision to appoint Fyfe-Millar.
“It’s not just the work he’s done on the DLBA (Downtown London Business Association), the Blackfriars Community Association, the Committee of Adjustment, Chamber of Commerce. He is deeply invested in the ward.”
Fyfe-Millar finished a close second to Arielle Kayabaga in the 2018 election.
But Councillor Jesse Helmer is not in favour of the decision.
“I am saying in the strongest possible terms that this is the wrong way for Mr. Fyfe-Millar to come onto council. If he wants to be elected to council, he can run again in 2022.”
Meanwhile the vacant seat in Ward Six will take a bit longer to fill.
Council backed a plan to hold an “open call for applications” before making a choice in November.
The appointment of Fyfe-Millar exposed the deep political divide on council.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.