Fresh face. New ideas. Bold vision. Those are the phrases that roll off the lips of candidates trying to win a seat on London city council for the first time in the Oct. 27 municipal election. Six rookies share with Jennifer Bieman why they’re running and the challenges they face.

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Steve Hillier

Candidate Ward 14

Age: 48

Occupation: Owner of Canada Comfort Foods

Why he’s running: “London is tired of negativity. We have to have faith in city council.”

Toughest challenge:Getting out to his constituents and making his name and platform known.

Key issue: Loss of decent jobs in London. Hillier wants to see London attract and retain industry and manufacturing jobs that pay fair and livable wages.

What makes him different:Hillier is active on social media, creating a London Business Videos Facebook page that encourages the public to feature local companies. It’s part of his goal to try to make meaningful contributions to the community throughout his campaign.

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Paul Pesach Gray

Candidate Ward 4

Age: 51

Occupation: Electronics engineer

Why he’s running:“There’s no reason why we can’t move the city forward. I have a vision for London.”

On running against a well-known city councillor: “I’ve criticized the incumbent on a number of issues. There is no progression on his part to change or deal with local issues within the ward.”

What makes him different: “One of my value sets is honesty and integrity. I’m forthcoming, I’m honest. I try and relay the truth and am very realistic. I bring that to the table.”

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Mike Bloxam

Candidate Ward 6

Age: 31

Occupation: Owner of SunTap Technologies

Why he’s running: “I think we need a fresh council. We need some new experience.”

Toughest challenge: “The one big thing that threw a wrench into the works was when the provincial election was called. We’d be out canvassing and people started to get confused about why I was at their door when there were provincial candidates out as well.”

What makes him different: As the owner of a London business that specializes in solar energy, Bloxam says he’s both environmentally conscious and small-business oriented.

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Tanya Park

Candidate Ward 13

Age: 30

Occupation: Box-office manager at The Palace Theatre

Why she’s running: When Judy Bryant announced she wouldn’t run again, Park said she “felt that it was time to carry the torch of the good work (Bryant’s) done in our neighbourhood and in the ward itself.”

Challenges: “Fundraising is always a challenge, but so far my team has had great success with that.”

What makes her different: “I’ve been working hard for my community long before I put my nomination papers in. So I’ve just kept doing what I’ve been doing and expanding my role within the ward.”

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Mohamed Salih

Candidate Ward 3

Age:28

Occupation: Headquarters position at Canadian Border Services Agency

Why he’s running:“I feel like right now we are in a critical stage where we need to have clear direction and a long-term vision. And I know that I can bring that.”

Toughest challenge: “Initially, the most notable challenge (is) name recognition. Being able to overcome that was a reality I realized early in the race.”

What makes him different:Salih says his social-media presence and his goal to attend all the community events he can sets him apart from other candidates.

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Donna Szpakowski

Candidate Ward 7

Age: 55

Occupation: Owner of Money Business Solutions Group

Why she’s running:Szpakowski has been actively involved in her community for many years. She feels she can take the skills she has gained throughout her years of involvement in the different sectors and translate them in to strong leadership for ward 7.

Toughest challenge: Balancing campaigning and canvassing with her family and business.

What makes her different: Szpakowski says the skills and knowledge she has gained as a self-employed small-business owner differentiate her from other candidates. “I am very pro-business and I have a good understanding of local business and the climate here in northwest London.”