London Free Press

Words of wisdom . . .

By KATE DUBINSKI, The London Free Press

Free Press reporter Kate Dubinski asked the 10 departing members of city council, who collectively have 137 years of experience, 'What's the one thing needed most to make life better in London?'

DeCicco-Best wasn’t willing to make hard budget choices

By HERMAN GOODDEN, Special to QMI Agency

Whenever I'm tempted to vote strategically -- to not vote for the candidate I'd actually like to see elected but to vote for the one who won't get elected so as to send a message to the one who will -- I remember that morning in early October 1990 when I dropped over to my parents' house just as they were clearing away their breakfast dishes in a state of something like shock.

London council a lame duck after upsets

By Patrick Maloney The London Free Press

Here’s another twist from London’s upset-heavy election night — it’s plunged city hall into a kind of political paralysis for the next month.

Trust me, there was no 2nd poll

By JOE RUSCITTI, The London Free Press

Some of you who don't think much of us will enjoy the irony of this: As the civic election campaign was winding down, The Free Press found itself the subject of incorrect news or speculation, really, in other media, after some things I unwittingly said on air in an interview with a local radio station were edited into a story that, well, wasn't one.

DeCicco-Best deserves thanks for a job well done

By IAN GILLESPIE, The London Free Press

Politics is a mean machine that doesn't make much room for sentiment.

Recount again in East Zorra-Tavistock

By CARLA GARRETT QMI Agency

HICKSON — A nail-biting race for office in East Zorra-Tavistock Township has resulted in a recount there for the second election in a row.

Police, firefighter deals first Fontana challenges

By BY JOE BELANGER The London Free Press

Mayor-elect Joe Fontana will hardly have time to warm his chair before he’ll face two major challenges in his goal for a zero tax increase — contract negotiations with police and firefighters.

Fontana to quiz LEDC on surplus

By NORMAN DE BONO, The London Free Press

Mayor-elect Joe Fontana is meeting with the city’s economic development chief today, and his $800,000 surplus is on the table for discussion, said the city’s new, top elected official.

Fingers point at who to blame for problems

By Debora Van Brenk The London Free Press

In one case, a 60-year-old who’d lived in the same farmhouse all his life hadn’t been mailed a voter-registration card for Monday’s civic election, or any of the past several civic elections.

Departing council members weigh in

We talk to two of three city council members defeated Monday. A third, Walter Lonc, was unavailable.

AUDIO: DeCicco-Best takes post-election questions

AUDIO: London's outgoing mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best takes questions from reporters following her defeat to Joe Fontana in the city's municipal election.

‘This is about moving forward’

By PATRICK MALONEY, The London Free Press

London’s longest-serving mayor has some departing advice for her successor and the next city council — don’t be afraid to admit a mistake.

Shipway issues warning to North Middlesex staff

By DEBORA VAN BRENK, The London Free Press

Don Shipway is back and he warns his return to civic politics might get ugly.

Steel victor in see-saw battle to edge Digby

By JENNIFER O'BRIEN, The London Free Press

It was always the school board race to watch, the clash between a former principal and a long-time parent representative.

Newcomers have team spirit

By RANDY RICHMOND, The London Free Press

Make tough decisions but play nice.

Citizens bank on Fontana to fulfil campaign promises

By Joe Belanger, London Free Press

Mayor-elect Joe Fontana and the 14-member city council have plenty to do and precious time to get it done if there is any hope of achieving a zero tax increase, the cornerstone of Fontana's election campaign.

New machines slowed count

By JONATHAN SHER, THE LONDON FREE PRESS

On an election night when other Ontario cities had poll results by 10, London didn't have a final tally until 3 a.m. thanks to a dinosaur of a system that may be scrapped for 2014.

Turnout low despite efforts

By KATE DUBINSKI, The London Free Press

Most eligible voters in London stayed home Monday, dashing efforts by city hall and community groups to increase civic participation.

Adding up the votes for a tax freeze

By PATRICK MALONEY, The London Free Press

London's new-look city council could give mayor-elect Joe Fontana the political support needed to push through his promised tax freeze.

Humility, teamwork key to making change happen

By Ian Gillespie, London Free Press

He’s the new boss. And he’s got fresh plans.

DeCicco-Best mulls future

By RANDY RICHMOND, The London Free Press

After spending months knocking on doors, Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best stayed behind hers Tuesday.

Fontana unseats DeCicco-Best in London mayoral race

VIDEO: In an election that wasn't called until after midnight, Joe Fontana unseats Anne Marie DeCicco-Best in the London mayoral race.

Fontana keeps to tax pledge

By PATRICK MALONEY, The London Free Press

Joe Fontana's first order of business as London's next mayor? Instructing city administration to prepare a budget that holds the line on taxes.

Voters opt for change

By Debora Van Brenk The London Free Press

Barely 12 hours after the polls closed, Middlesex County councillors were back in their seats Tuesday morning - a dozen seats that will soon be filled with seven different bodies.