Here comes the new Don, same as the old Don.
That's what came across loud and clear during Don Zurowski's formal announcement Thursday that he will be taking a second run at the mayor's chair.
For some, that will be exactly why he's needed as mayor and for others, it will be a clear reminder of why he didn't become mayor when he first ran for the position six years ago.
Zurowski served for three terms on city council from 1999 through 2008 but lost his first campaign for mayor against Dan Rogers in the fall from 2008. At the time, Zurowski said he was done with local politics but it seems local politics is not done with him. As a resident of Prince George for more than four decades, there has never been any doubt that he cares deeply about this city, its residents and its future.
Zurowski's three terms on council coincided with Colin Kinsley's terms as mayor. The two men share similar right-of-centre, pro-business views on most issues, including their public support for Northern Gateway. To no one's surprise, Kinsley was at Zurowski's announcement to lend his support. There's no doubt that Zurowski would put his own stamp on the job if he were elected mayor. There should also be no doubt, however, that the similarities between Zurowski's leadership and Kinsley's would vastly outnumber the differences.
That opens up potential criticism towards Zurowski as yesterday's man, a back to the future candidate six years removed from municipal politics who brings a small-c conservative vision to the job that local residents have seen before.
Some would argue those are strengths, not weaknesses. Time away from local politics may have made him more sensitive to the concerns and issues of residents and there's nothing wrong with steady, old-fashioned responsible leadership, both fiscally and socially.
Except that's not exactly what Kinsley delivered while mayor, with Zurowski riding shotgun as a city councillor. The annual property tax increases were significant, even as spending on infrastructure maintenance went down. Zurowski joined Kinsley on an unpopular trade mission to Taiwan. He also stood with Kinsley in his initial opposition to recognition of a "pride day" for gay and lesbians in Prince George. Although they held opposing views in the beginning, Zurowski came around to Kinsley's view on allowing the casino to move out of the downtown.
It was also the same old Don on display Thursday when it came to delivery. Unlike Kinsley or Rogers or current mayor Shari Green, public speaking wasn't Zurowski's strong suit when he was councillor and when he ran for mayor back in 2008. On Thursday, he clung to his prepared notes like a life preserver, rarely glancing up to make eye contact with the audience, even though it was largely made up of family, friends and supporters.
His supporters would argue that he's a man of substance who shouldn't be judged by his lack of polish in front of a microphone. His detractors would say that someone serious about a leadership role in political office not only needs a vision but the skills to articulate that vision to voters.
Regardless of one's view of the man and/or his politics, Zurowski deserves the thanks of all Prince George residents for his willingness to step back into municipal politics. After six years away from the grind of public hearings and endless meetings, it would have been easier to keep working in private life and spend more time with his grandchildren. He's willing to take on the burden of leadership because he believes he can do it and he believes Prince George will be better for his efforts. That kind of confidence and optimism is needed for the city to prosper.
The question that really matters, however, is whether Zurowski is also deserving of the support of the electorate when they head to the polls in November. Hopefully other equally strong and serious mayoral candidates will step forward in the near future to challenge him.
Zurowski has five months to make his case for an X next to his name on the ballot. Every eligible voter in Prince George should hear him out.
