West-end city councillor race pits lawyer against incumbent John Elliott

Fabio Costante, a locallawyer and Windsor-Essex Catholic DistrictSchool Board trustee, will be facing incumbent John Elliott in the race for city council in the city'swest end.

Costante said it's a position he wants to use "to bring a strong voice for the needs of the residents and businesses of Ward 2."

"We're going to be able to make this work ... One of the freedoms of having your own practice is that you've got more control over your schedule," he said about juggling his work with politics.

Costante runs his own law office in Sandwich Towne andfounded Our West End Neighbourhood Renewal.

He said one of his mainpriorities will include the ongoingAmbassador Bridge negotiationsbetween the private bridge company and the government to build a replacement span.

However, Elliott said there isn't much that council can do about it.He said councillors don't have any say in the negotiations between the city and the bridge company. But heassuredthat the Gordie Howe Bridge will be built.

"[The project is] moving along," he said. "The federal government is taking control of that."

Push for revitalization projects

Anotherpart of Costante's platform is looking to get more community centres developed in the ward.

"The College Avenue Community Centre was taken from the community years ago and [Ward 2] that desperately needs a community centre and deserves one," he said, adding public transit should be accessible in areas with high ridership.

Costante did not address how he feels incumbent John's Elliott has performed as a city councillor. Instead, he said his platform will be "progressive and ambitious."

In Elliott's eyes, he said he did well.

One of the projects he's proud of is the revamping of the College Avenue Community Centre to become part of the Sandwich Community Health Centre, which is slated to open later this year.

"That's huge for the neighbourhood," he said. "It's going to go a long way to help people in the ward, even outside of the ward."

He also touched on a series of beautification projects happening in the area.

From the project to bring a statue at the roundabout that will become "a grand entrance" into the ward, to the new $5.5-million library, "I think we did real well in terms of bringing good things to the community."

The nomination period for candidates closes July 27 and the municipal election will be held on Oct. 22.

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