By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In late May, Frank Domenic, a political commentator on social media, launched his campaign for Ward 6 councillor in Burlington.
Domenic said that one of his inspirations for entering the race was his conflict with incumbent Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna.
Domenic attended a town hall in March where he accused Bentivegna of having a conflict of interest due to his daughter being principal at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School.
Ward 6 residents, including Domenic, worked on a report to help reduce traffic around the school, but since Bentivegna’s daughter is opposed to the report, Domenic said it would be difficult to ask Bentivegna to support it.
Bentivegna said that only he can decide what constitutes a conflict of interest, not anybody else. He said that his opposition to the traffic plan has nothing to do with his daughter.
“That really rubbed me the wrong way,” Domenic said. “Especially after the last eight years, I just feel like he doesn’t do a good enough job of fighting for people. There’s always concerns and issues, and it definitely feels like North Burlington gets ignored, as somebody who is raising a young family in North Burlington. It feels like we need somebody who actually remembers and understands what it’s like to be in the middle of the fight and trying to do their best to make a better life for their kids.”
Domenic cited the lack of recreation as well as a seniors’ centre as concerns that he has in the ward.
“There are not enough spaces,” Domenic said. “There’s no summer camps, so you end up driving 30 minutes or putting your kid into a private summer camp that ends up costing twice as much as the city-run ones would. So a lot of it really boils down to opportunity. There’s no reason why, down the street on Dundas, there’s 16 Mile [Sports] Complex in Oakville that is one of the largest sports complexes in the area. Yet we have nothing even remotely comparable on the north side of Burlington.”
Domenic said that he believes there is “no real coherent strategy” coming from the city for North Burlington.
“Everything’s always patchwork,” he said. “A constant struggle of just reacting to things, and I really think that we need somebody who can come in with some ideas and understanding, and really fight at City Hall for the necessary services.”
Domenic gave his thoughts on the job that Bentivegna has done as councillor since he was elected in 2018.
“I think at the end of the day he treats it like a retirement job,” Domenic said. “This isn’t his full career. This is something he’s kind of doing as a hobby after the fact, and I think that that’s pretty evident by the fact that I’ve never seen him knock doors, I’ve never really seen him out about in the community outside of his coffee events.”
Domenic said that many city councillors are like this and doesn’t want to go after Bentivegna specifically.
“I think we need people who are driven by passion, not driven by self-motivation,” he said.
Burlington Local-news.ca reached out to Bentivegna for comment. Bentivegna responded by email that while he was grateful for the opportunity to respond, he “would encourage [people] to review my election website, which contains comprehensive, verifiable information about my record, priorities, accomplishments, voting history, and my plans for the future.”
Bentivegna noted that his election website, www.angelobentivegnaward6.ca, also includes “verifiable fact checks that address misinformation and provide supporting documentation where appropriate. I believe the website provides the most complete and accurate picture of my work on behalf of Ward 6 residents.”
Domenic also commented on Rowan Fraser, who is also running for Ward 6 councillor.
A photo of Fraser posing next to a wax figure of Adolf Hitler and doing a Nazi salute in 2008 was publicized by a member of Domenic’s campaign last month.
“He had the opportunity to apologize for it, and he keeps doubling down and putting himself in bad situations,” Domenic said. “I want to say that he’s a good person and he’s just being misunderstood, but he seems to keep putting himself into a further and deeper hole. I really do wish the best for him, and I hope that he comes out of this feeling okay.”
Domenic said that he initially didn’t want to publicize the photo due to fears about the impact it would have on Fraser’s mental health.
Fraser has claimed that the photo was ironic and left it on his Facebook page so as not to “censor history.”
Domenic said that his presence on social media won’t necessarily translate into votes, but that talking about politics online has made him comfortable talking to residents about issues.
“I think a lot of it boils down to knowing how to talk to people,” Domenic said. “I know that I’m an effective communicator and that my videos tend to resonate with people. So translating that to the door is pretty easy.”
