Windsor

Windsor city council report card: Bill Marra - Ward 8

Marra is the most seasoned councillor, now serving his sixth term. He’s a watchdog for proper etiquette and procedure, and takes principled stands on an issue-by-issue basis. Loses points for lacklustre use of social media and lowest attendance record on council.

CBC Windsor grades the politicians at mid-way point of their 2014-18 term

Bill Marra was first elected to council in 1994, and is in the middle of his sixth term. (Peter Duck/CBC)

Grade: A

Marra is the most seasoned councillor, now serving his sixth term. The experience shows, as he provides leadership chairing two standing committees. He's a watchdog for proper etiquette and procedure and takes principled stands on an issue-by-issue basis. He bridges the gap between old-school and vanguard of council, frequently aligning with the latter group on votes. Marra loses points for his lacklustre use of social media and lowest attendance record on council.

Attendance record: 82.48% (113 of 137 meetings)

Salary: $41,560.41

Travel expenses: $1,687.88 

Social media: Twitter only. Active several times a week, but mainly retweets.

Proud of:

  • Fiscal discipline

To-do list:

  • Address pockets of street and basement flooding in his ward
  • Planning for a community centre in Fontainebleau
  • Improve social housing
  • Set specific objectives for strategic plan to improve economy

Quote: "We're experiencing prosperity in this region, almost to an extent where you're hesitant to discuss it. Our unemployment rate is below the national average, but at a local level, I think being able to maintain the fiscal discipline has been helpful."