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In what was intended to be a on camera interview early Saturday morning turned into something very different.

When I arrived downtown, I discovered that the memory card for our camera was not working, but decided to go with an off camera interview.

The off camera interview that started at 8:30, ended up being a 3 hour conversation covering many topics (that really felt more like just having coffee with a friend). That I walked away from with a very good feeling about.

Richard really seems the grasp the common sense issue's facing Brantford, in a way that I have not heard from any other candidates as of this point.

The first topic I asked about was water fluoridation. Richard was very aware of the risks involved with the addition of fluoride to the public water supply. And fully agreed that the public should have a choice in the matter.
After seeing the lack of knowledge that many other city employee's had about fluoride, Richards knowledge was a breath of fresh air.

When asked about the effects of NAFTA and the coming North American Union on Brantfords economy, His response was that it is very obvious. When you look at our manufacturing industry. We have lost countless jobs, and business's in that Field.
Another point that Richard brought up about our local economy is the excess of temporary employment agencies.

In a city of 91,000 people there is over 150 temp agencies that employ nearly 40,000 people. These agencies do not give benefits, and rarely pay more then minimum wage. How can we expect the working class families to survive on this Richard asks.

In Richards opinion there has to be incentives for companies that come to Brantford, to hire people rather then using these types of agencies.

On the issue of the Native Land claims Richard believes that the city can no longer write up a plan, present it to the Native people, and wonder why they find problems in it. We need to include all sides in the planning. Which to me just sounds like common sense once again!

What impressed me the most with Richard is the fact that he does not accept any corporate sponsorships. It is his belief that if we want a change in our community, it does not make any sense to keep trying the same things over and over again and expect different results.

Richard is a great candidate for the mayor of Brantford, and I will look forward to hearing more from him.