Cathy Dobson/The Independent

As he enters another election year, Sarnia’s long-serving Mayor Mike Bradley says he is used to encouraging others to run for office. But that’s getting more difficult, he said, sounding uncharacteristically disheartened during a speech this week.

“There is no glamour,” Bradley said at his annual ‘state-of-the-city’ remarks before about 60 members of the Sarnia-Lambton Golden K Kiwanis Club. 

After serving decades at city hall, Bradley said the political climate at every level has changed.

“They always say in politics the two best days are the first day and the last day, and that’s the reality,” he said.

Council’s recent approval of a new recreation facility called Sarnia BACE (Bluewater Active Connected Community) was a disappointment to Bradley who tried to veto it.

Capital projects are becoming increasingly difficult to fund while keeping taxes affordable, he said.

“That’s what it’s all about,” he said.

He urged his audience to encourage “good people” to run for office and said he’s happy to meet with them and give them his take on what it’s like and the time commitment required.

“My other big question is always, ‘Are you on social media?’ And if you are, what’s your character on social media?”

He said he keeps his online comments “pretty benign” and upbeat.  “I won’t become one of those keyboard cowboys who like to tear people down.”

Those who hold political office should understand that social media should be used with discipline.

Bradley said he and his assistant see online comments daily that are “frightening and sad.”

“It doesn’t help the public process,” he said. “The fact is that good people are going to run for office and they need to understand that this is the new reality.

“You are going to be challenged that everything you do is for the wrong reason.  You’re going to be challenged about your intelligence level and all sorts of other things.

“And the facts don’t matter,” he summed up. 

Bradley has been Sarnia’s mayor since 1988 and is the second longest serving mayor in Ontario, behind Milton’s Mayor Gord Krantz.

As discouraged as he sounded at times during his speech, Bradley said he hasn’t ruled out running in October for a 12^th term.

“I’ve got a book on my desk – and I’ve talked to the author – about how to get your city hall back, how to get the toxic rage out of your city hall,” he said. 

“The community can send a real strong message this election about what sort of behaviour do they want in council chambers.

“What sort of person do you want representing you?” he asked.  “The public can make that message clear in the election, not just here but everywhere.”

Other highlights of his speech included:

1.     On taxes and using strong mayor powers for the first time – “The reason I didn’t use them (in previous years) is that there were reasonable tax increases and no debt,” said Bradley.  But this year’s draft budget contained a 14 per cent increase.  “I used those powers to reduce that down to 3.3 per cent expecting council to support an affordability budget…They didn’t do that and I think you’ll find issues come out of that in the coming year.”  When the dust settled, council approved an increase just under four per cent for 2026.

2.     On his lack of enthusiasm for the BACE (rec) facility proposed for Michigan Avenue behind Goodwill: “We didn’t pick that land. I’ll be fighting this one to the end.  They want us to spend $3 million of your money over five years and buy an old landfill that’s been there for 50 or 60 years.” Sarcastically he asked, “Does anyone in this room want to go partners with me to buy an old landfill? Those are the questions that should have been asked and that diligence did not happen.”

3.     On affordable housing – This council has approved about 3,000 new housing units and some are progressing, such as the new 90-unit apartment building on Afton Drive. That’s driven Sarnia’s vacancy rate up to 4.9 per cent in December from 2.2 per cent in 2021, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. That’s giving consumers more opportunity and bringing rents down, according to the mayor. “That’s a good thing.”

4.     On the controversial Indwell supportive housing project proposed for  George St. –  “It’s been challenging to deal with – all the rhetoric and the anger from some neighbours in the area.  We are a community and everyone does their part.” Bradley said he is relieved to see Indwell remains committed to the project.  “If we could get (George St.) up and running, people would see all their fears are just fears.”  Indwell’s minor variance application is expected before the city’s Committee of Adjustment Feb. 10.

5.     On public transportation options between Sarnia and Toronto – Bradley said he is pleased to see new bus services but is unhappy with VIA Rail’s current service.  One train a day is inconvenient and its schedule was changed without consultation. He said he is meeting with VIA officials this week and hopes that a second daily train is added this year.

 6.     On Sarnia Police Services aspirations for a new headquarters and Bradley’s public debate with Chief Derek Davis – “I want to be really clear on this,” Bradley said.  “I chaired the police board for many, many years and I left…because I could not work in that climate.”  He said he supports the officers “but it’s the administration that concerns me and I’m going to keep pushing back as much as I can.”

7.     On addiction and mental health services –More affordable housing is key to helping people turn their lives around, said Bradley.  He is also encouraged by other initiatives about to be launched like the HART Hub in the former SCITS building.  “To get treatment in your own community is a big step forward, but also having affordable housing to go to when you leave (rehab).”  Sarnia also needs affordable transitional housing for women who leave the Interval Home and are trying to get back on their feet, Bradley added.