London's longest serving city councillor wants a shot at the deputy mayor position vacated by Maureen Cassidy.
Ward 2 Councillor Bill Armstrong announced Wednesday that he intends to put his name forward for the position of deputy mayor at Thursday's council meeting.
Armstrong has been elected to council seven times. He says he believes his 21 years of experience on council and his proven commitment to his ward and the community make him the most suitable candidate.
"At this point in time I think we need that experience in order to move the best interests of the city forward," says Armstrong.
He also stresses has has no ulterior motive for wanting to fill the vacant spot.
"This is not positioning myself for the next municipal election, that I want to be mayor. I will not be seeking in the next election the mayor's chair under any circumstances," says Armstrong. "This is about me stepping up to the plate and getting us through what is right now a very difficult time as far as issues are concerned."
The deputy mayor position has been open since last Tuesday, when Cassidy resigned after admitting to having an affair with Mayor Matt Brown.
Ward 13 Councillor Tanya Park has also expressed interest in filling the deputy mayor position. But Armstrong hopes council will take his previous interest in the job into account.
"I had put my name forward way back when council first looked at this second deputy mayor position, unfortunately I lost out to Maureen Cassidy," says Armstrong. "I expressed interest before in taking a leadership role. I am doing that again so I hope my colleagues will look at the fact that I was willing to step up to the plate last time and I'm still willing to do that."
London has two deputy mayors, one appointed by the mayor, the other voted in by council. Brown selected Paul Hubert for the job, while Cassidy was chosen by her council colleagues.
Brown and Cassidy have taken leaves of absence since the scandal was made public.
