By Lindsay Boeckl and Sean Wetselaar
Ryerson President Sheldon Levy debunked rumours Thursday that he may run for mayor in the next municipal elections.
“I am not [running for mayor] at this point or at any point,“ Levy told The Eyeopener.
In a May 30 column published in The Toronto Star, political columnist Bob Hepburn said that the city needed a new style of mayor, and put forth Levy as a candidate.
“Well, I’ll begin by saying it’s flattering, that’s for sure,” Levy said. “I could also say not I nor anyone I know asked for it, so it’s even more flattering, but beyond that, there is no hope in that and I wish whoever is the right person good luck. But it’s not me.”
In his column, Hepburn said that Toronto “needs a mayor who can end the right-left political wars on city council that have defined Toronto under Ford and David Miller, his predecessor.”
The man for that job, Hepburn said, is Levy.
“I think for Toronto it’s time that we look at getting someone who doesn’t have that council background,” Hepburn said in an interview with The Eyeopener. “Someone who is experienced at leading a large company or institution.”
Levy said that his position at Ryerson is “a dream job” and that he has no aspirations in city hall. He said he lacked the patience to serve as mayor.
“At Ryerson we [consult and talk with everyone], but then at the end of the day, we get something done,” Levy said. “And that’s why this is a great job.”
After The Star‘s column was published, Toronto took to Twitter to voice their opinions:
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/bdlesser/status/340110908741279744″]
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/followsujee/status/340105541185572866″]
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/Darren_Shivraj/status/340119399140818944″]
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/moxiemegz/status/340122977884598273″]
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