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| David and Lisa Sparrow |
A launch party was held tonight (Tuesday, June 17, 2014) for David Sparrow, candidate for Councillor in Ward 26. Mr. Sparrow is president of the Toronto local of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). The William Lea room at the Leaside Arena saw an estimated 75 people out for the event on a night when the weather probably kept some supporters at home. Mr. Sparrow faces off in the Don Valley West ward against the two-time incumbent, John Parker and John Burnside, a well-known Leaside businessman. He owns Healthy Heart Meals. Mr. Sparrow spoke of the diversity of the ward, referring to a wide mix of neighborhoods ranging from Bennington Heights to Thorncliffe Park. He spoke passionately about such things as the water service in Thorncliffe Park where he said the 1970s infrastructure is inadequate to the present day. The candidate was accompanied at the event by his wife Lisa, the mother of their two grown daughters and a registered nurse. She spoke effectively of her husband’s sincerity and interest in people. The picture of their conventional Leaside life will be helpful to Mr. Sparrow with small-c conservative voters who make up the majority of the ward west of the tracks. Some core support this night seemed slightly left of centre. It seems fair to conclude that both Mr. Sparrow and Mr. Burnside are contenders. The results were close in 2010 between the first three candidates, with Burnside coming in second. The launch meeting saw an enjoyable few moments when baritone Constantine Meglis sang O Canada.
