MAYORAL CANDIDATE COMES DOWN FROM EMOTIONAL HIGH

Graydon In It To Win It

Edward Graydon is in Hamilton's mayoral contest to
stay.

The 47-year-old businessman had announced soon after an emotional
exchange with fellow candidates Michael Baldasaro and Andrew Haines
during a debate Thrusday at Sir. John A. Macdonald High School that he
would announce at the next all-candidates debate he will quit from the
race and back Larry Di Ianni.

But Graydon said a day later in an interview he changed his
mind.

"It's not going to happen," he said, in an interview. "No way in hell
I'm bailing out."

During the all-candidates debate, Graydon questioned Baldasaro, a
member of a leading marijuana-advocacy group, about encouraging people
to grow marijuana for food, medicine and fuel. When Graydon said it
was inappropriate to talk about "weed" to a round of boos from the
group of Grade 10 and 11 students, another candidate, Andrew Haines
told him to "smoke a joint."

"I know people were not pleased that the candidates talked about
marijuana," said Graydon, who met with the principal of the school the
next day. "The school has a zero tolerance for drugs. It was an
inappropriate remark.

"I think Baldasaro and Haines made a big booboo. They should just pull
out. They should know better," he said.

Graydon said he is taking his responsibility to run for mayor
seriously, compared to some of the other candidates who believe they
are making a mockery of the campaign. He said he has enjoyed the
campaign so far.

"I love it," he said. "The debates have been fantastic."

The 15 mayoral candidates completed an intense week of at least four
debates in a row. They are scheduled to tape a mayor's debate for
Cable 14 Oct. 12 at the Spectator auditorium starting at 7 p.m.