Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Former mayoral candidate George Stanko says he is endorsing Scott Molson for the top job.

Stanko said Tuesday that he examined the platforms of all the remaining candidates after withdrawing from the race Oct. 1 because of a family emergency.

“I’ve looked at the candidates and I believe Scott Molson is most closely aligned with what I was hoping to achieve,” Stanko told The Independent.

“I, like a lot of people, think it’s time we find another mayor, that it’s time for a change,” Stanko said in explaining why he isn’t supporting incumbent Mike Bradley.

“Scott is the only one with real business experience, and we need someone with a strong business background to do what’s necessary to attract new development, grow the city, and seriously examine the structure at city hall,” said Stanko.

He said there are too many managers and not enough people “who actually do the work to get the job done,” at city hall.

A city employee called a “growth manager” is needed to work with the mayor, the MP and the MPP, said Stanko.  They could form a team or task force to lead the effort to attract business and development, he said. 

Stanko also said he likes Molson’s idea to provide online “dashboards” to better communicate with Sarnia residents.

“We both agree that dashboards can bring more transparency,” he said.

Stanko said he also spoke with candidate Carrie McEachran and her campaign manager but didn’t feel his strategy to lead the city aligned with hers as much as Molson’s does. 

“Carrie has never had a job working out in the business world where she competed with other businesses by producing a product or service,” Stanko said. 

Since withdrawing, Stanko said “some” people who supported him have asked him who they should vote for, so he has taken the unusual move of choosing to endorse another candidate.

Meanwhile, former MP Pat Davidson has endorsed McEachran. 

Davidson, who served as member of parliament for Sarnia-Lambton from 2006 – 2015, sent a letter of endorsement to McEachran, praising her for her abilities to collaborate and lead.

“(Carrie) has consistently championed our local business community,” Davidson wrote.

“I have watched Carrie advance into senior executive positions and serve on numerous governance bodies.  She is a leader who can work with everyone, listening with an open ear, leading with grace and advocating strongly for the people she serves.

“Carrie gets things done,” Davidson wrote in mid-September.

Chrissy McRoberts also endorsed McEachran when McRoberts dropped out of the mayoral race and decided to run for a second term as a city/county councillor.

Molson is the longtime owner of Molson Tire.

McEachran is on a leave of absence as CEO at the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce during the campaign.

Election day is Oct. 26.