February 8, 2012

The Great Mayoral Makeover

Can Karen Stintz take on David Miller?

Karen Stintz, ready for her close-up

Karen Stintz, the conservative councillor for Eglinton-Lawrence and one of the mayor’s most outspoken critics, could be planning a coup for the next municipal election. But critics say she faces an uphill battle in her fight against David Miller, who’s galvanized the support of countless power players on the political scene. We asked the experts how Stintz can take her career to the next level in 2010.

Peter Kuittenbrouwer—National Post columnist

Karen Stintz is a cogent critic of Mayor David Miller and has shone with her attacks on the spending at city hall.  She has done great work in her ward, encouraging murals for example. But she must do more of that. She needs to be seen more as a community activist, planting gardens and dropping the puck at bantam hockey games.  Voters will want to get to know her as a mom, and see her with her family.

Matt Blackett—Publisher of Spacing Magazine

 

Ms. Stintz has to demonstrate that she can get things done and not just be a contrarian to every position of Mayor Miller. Her record of accomplishments so far is not about to galvanize Torontonians against Miller. She has to find ways to undercut the long list of feats, both big and small, that the mayor will trot out during the 2010 election.

Danielle Iverson—President of that PR thing

Sending out clear and coherent messages is crucial!  However, justifying tax dollars spent on private speech lessons by sayingit happened a year ago, when the economy was still strong, will still affect her on election night 2010.  Karen should focus on getting involved with the community and turning voter attention back to her campaign.  She should showhow she'll make the city run better by tackling important matters:  combatting traffic issues due to streetcar medians, gun control in schools and in our city, improved public transportation, etc. I feel that she is an excellent candidate that our city needs!

David Clemmer—Style by Jury fashion guru

“Dress for success” still applies and even more so when you have your eye on the mayor’s job. I’d love to see Karen in a fitted cropped jacket (think pink), a high- waisted fitted light wool dress pant (light grey) and a classic pump (steel grey). A pointed toe with a bit of a heel not only adds height but also flatters the shape of the leg. A nice silk paisley scarf in grey and pink tones would finish off her look perfectly. Then, Karen would be ready to take over the job as mayor — but with a look so hot why stop there? Watch your back, Harper!

Christopher Hume—Toronto Star columnist

One hates to be a downer, but the idea of Karen Stintz as mayor of Toronto is scary. Despite her taxpayer- funded voice lessons, a councillor chosen by North Toronto NIMBYs is the last person who should run this city. My advice to her: get out a bit more. Look around and learn. Toronto is a city, not a neighbourhood. And remember, it’s one thing to act locally, quite another to think globally.

This article appears in the May 2009 issue of Post City Magazines

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