WARMINGTON: Alvin Tedjo topples current, former mayors for Mississauga's top job

· Toronto Sun

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In what will go down in Mississauga political history, Alvin Tedjo did something very difficult to do. He didn’t just defeat an incumbent mayor. He beat two.

In a stunning change election, Mississauga has sent two veteran servants of the people into retirement. At least for the next four years.

It’s a remarkable win in that he bested incumbent Carolyn Parrish easily, while dusting off Bonnie Crombie as well — who won the mayor’s position easily four years ago, but left to try her hand at provincial politics before attempting to get her old job back.

Mississauga voters said no to that. They wanted a fresh start and new blood. While Tedjo provides that despite being a veteran councillor and runner-up in the last byelection for mayor, at just 40 years old he represents the younger generation of politicians.

He has children in local schools and sports and focused his campaign on affordability issues and has made pledges to freeze taxes while keeping an eye on the fiscal ledger.

While it was a competitive, three-way race that experts thought any of the three big horses could win, this is still stunning.

Public safety hot-button issue

Whether it was a new mayor, the old mayor or the current mayor, when it comes to Mississauga there are issues that Tedjo will have to address and address quickly. Foremost being public safety.

People just don’t feel as safe as they once did. And they care more about that than they do who wears the chains of the chief magistrate or how tight a race this was. Crime is arguably No. 1 on the minds of voters this year. Yes, the carjacking issue is not as dire as it felt three years ago but it’s still being felt. Home break-ins and robberies, too. But what many in Mississauga say is their biggest fear is not feeling as safe in the parks and ravines, in restaurant parking lots, as they once did.

Anything can happen now and often does.

As Mississauga voters were deciding on whether they wanted Parrish to remain mayor or let Crombie come back or hire a new leader in Tedjo, Peel Regional Police were busy working on a stabbing homicide and the case of a man allegedly riding around on a bike with bladed weapons.

Just before 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Toronto Sun ’s Denette Wilford reported, police responded to a stabbing in a parking lot at Tomken and Kamato Rds., in which the victim died at the scene. Peel cops said they are looking for Kevin Chippie, 35, of Brampton, who is wanted for second-degree murder.

In the Erin Mills and Sawmill Valley areas of Mississauga on Friday, there was a terrifying incident of what is allegedly seen a man riding on a bike allegedly carrying a hatchet and sword. Three area schools were put on lockdown.

Witnesses said they saw police arrest a man, but so far police have not confirmed this.

The overall point is this alleged mayhem started in Trapper Green Park, where many children and families congregate, went through the Sawmill Valley ravine and creek area and ended in Pheasant Run Park, where people are walking and enjoying what should be a safe neighbourhood.

In recent months, there have been more and more homeless people in the parks and elderly people and young moms and dads with young children complaining about feeling scared and intimidated by people who take over the benches as temporary homes or being forced to dodge out of the way at the last minute by people on e-bikes or electric scooters.

While this is largely a policing and courts issue, people not feeling safe in Mississauga is very much a problem facing the next mayor. It will be more pressing than building a subway extension to the TTC’s Kipling Station or a new hotel and convention centre.

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