‘Man bites dog’ can’t top this intriguing story

DAN HODDINOTT, Managing Editor

We’d come to accept raw vitriol as normal in Vaughan politics. Knock ’em down, drag ’em out, take-no-prisoners warfare as just another day at the office. From the civil servant all the way up to the mayor’s chair, anyone could be a soldier for a day. And what couldn’t be settled on the battlefield we’d leave to the courts.

Then comes Maurizio Bevilacqua, sword drawn. Except, it wasn’t a sword at all, but something mightier. And before you knew it, the combatants of old (and the newly conscripted who might have been) had lined up to sign onto this declaration of … peace.

Wot?

The definitive story of Maurizio Bevilacqua, mayor of the City of Vaughan, cannot yet be written. Less than a year into his reign is too early to make a call on his accomplishments, his deeds, his policies and his alliances. But to say that he has already turned heads is the understatement of the past eight months.

The compelling story of his time at the helm is that recognizable change has taken place on the local political landscape, this while he has been quite clear in disavowing the expected “rule by might” in favour of “progress by power”. Or, better said, by empowerment.

The declaration of civility at city hall, signed onto by albeit game-savvy politicians, is in itself worthy of note. He is also often seen out there among the people, sometimes with an entourage and sometimes without, demonstrating not so much his own grandeur as their civic leader, but pointing out that the strength of Vaughan — and its hope — lies in the good he sees in them.

This is better than any man-bites-dog story we’ve had all year.

It turns expectation on its head. It arrests and, if only for a moment, causes one to pause and think.

In fact, he’s driving to distraction those of us in the media who like to plan our moves in nice, orderly fashion. A sitdown interview with the new mayor? Sure. How about a year into his reign?

Not! We couldn’t wait. Not after the stories of his continued popularity among the people that keep reaching us. Not after the intriguing ways in which he moves his message out into the public square, and showing the people how they themselves can be part of the movement. Not after engaging him ourselves and seeing him walk the talk regarding this peculiar philosophy of change.

There is no such thing as a same-old-same-old political story about him. There is something else: something that piques curiosity, an itch you need to scratch, something that lingers oh-so-slightly beyond the accolades one hears and the as-yet-reticent glances one picks up on when witnessing him in action.

We don’t wish to be his cheering section, nor agents of undue criticism. Still, we are both Vaughan citizens and ardent fans of story, so we are cognizant of the potential to get ourselves caught up in the magic of what we perceive to be the most interesting political story of the day. But neither did we want to risk missing a great story that’s unfolding right before our eyes.

So we called on veteran reporter-at-large Sandie Benitah, who is ordinarily removed enough from the local scene to provide balance against any biases the rest of us may have.

Benitah spent some time getting to know the man and the philosophy behind this full frontal peaceful attack. Her story starts on page 4.

While acknowledging his political awareness, she too found him a compelling figure. I’m sure you’ll find her report a compelling read.