Magnifico, Vandal go door-to-door in St. B.

Will scales be tipped by issues or personality?

With the election for St. Boniface’s seat on council only two weeks away, Franco Magnifico and Dan Vandal both know the ropes.

Each has taken a turn as councillor for St. Boniface and right-hand man to the mayor.

Magnifico is running for re-election after two-and-a-half years as councillor, while Vandal is trying to regain the job he held for nine years before giving it up in an unsuccessful run for the mayor’s chair in 2004.

And the stakes are high.

This last council has been among the most polarized in recent memory, with many votes splitting 9-7 on the council floor.

A Magnifico loss could mark a significant transfer of power at city hall.

With the race expected to go right down to the wire, both veteran politicians are devoting the last few weeks of their campaign to hitting the streets and knocking on doors in the hopes of scoring every last vote they can.

Their weapons of choice – hearty handshakes and confiding smiles.

The Lance followed the two rivals door to door to see whether issues or smiles are more likely to tip the scales in this election.

Magnifico’s canvassing style tends to focus on debate.

“I’m the guy who gets things done. I’m a pit bull when it comes to issues,” he said.

True to form, the councillor waded into hearty debates over the proposed OlyWest hog processing plant with several Windsor Park residents.

He even went so far as to tell residents Vandal is also supporting OlyWest, without actually knowing Vandal’s stance.

“I’ll let you know if I smell it from here,” Windsor Park resident, Guy George told Magnifico, still not convinced after a five-minute exchange.

George said Magnifico is “a good councillor who tries to listen to people,” but he isn’t convinced Magnifico is supporting the right issues.

A few doors down Ernie Petit also raised a skeptical eyebrow over the hog plant Magnifico has staunchly supported at council.

But Petit said Magnifico is “easier to talk to” than Vandal and has a better approach to business.

Vandal’s door-to-door style on the other hand consists more of chatting warmly with residents than debating policy.

Vandal declined take a tougher position on OlyWest than saying that city hall “put the cart before the horse” by striking the deal before considering the plant’s environmental impact.

But he remains the councillor of choice for OlyOpp, the group of businesses fighting the plant.

Braemar Street resident Rachel Boone said she liked the things she saw when Murray was in charge, and Trevor Vann of Island Lakes said he hasn’t seen much action since Katz took the helm.

Others on the same street voiced beefs with the current mayor that included the nixed rapid transit project and OlyWest.

However Vandal gave away more lawn signs with his warm chatter and fluent French – a tool Magnifico lacks – than by arguing policy.

“Our styles are different,” said Vandal about his rival. “I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak. I consult with people before I make decisions.”

Magnifico also said he thinks Vandal isn’t being feisty enough.

“Be proud of who you are,” said Magnifico, accusing Vandal of using red signs to avoid being labeled a “leftist NDPer.”

“I’m proud of who I am.”