First in a series.

There are many good reasons to elect Joe Pantalone the next mayor of Toronto. Admittedly, there are seemingly insurmountable factors working against the deputy mayor, and these might prevail on Oct. 25. But, for today, let’s consider the reasons to vote Joe.

First is experience. Joe knows city hall. For three decades that’s been his workplace, negotiating, proposing, drafting, compromising, doing the business of running a great metropolitan region. The last seven years he’s been David Miller’s deputy, a privilege that has given him insights into the power dynamics at play.

Whether the civic leader was Metro chair Alan Tonks (Liberal), Mel Lastman (Conservative) or Miller (NDP), Pantalone has managed to wiggle his way inside the power tent.

In pre-amalgamation days, Pantalone found his way in Tonks’ inner cabinet, the designated voice of the political left. Less dogmatic and not nearly as doctrinaire as more radical left-wingers, Pantalone is often viewed with suspicion by the true believers. But it is this absence of public partisanship, this collegiality, this ability to work all sides that has given him the stature he holds at city hall.

In short, Joe Pantalone is a player. There is no anti-Joe vote to be mined in this election. Joe’s the respected one, everybody’s friend.

Lastman named Joe the city’s tree advocate while other councillors fought over loftier titles. Tree plantings have risen to 109,000 a year from the paltry 9,500 when he started. Now, he promises to push the number to 120,000 and institute a plan that sees trees replaced or pruned every eight years.

In an election where cutting costs holds a priority position in most platforms, Pantalone is the greenest and most environmentally friendly of candidates. He championed the city’s green-roof bylaw. He’d double the number of community gardens and farmers’ markets, and create a pedestrian mall along Yonge St., closing it off to traffic between Queen and Dundas during the summer. He’d push for partnerships with green industry, giving them priority with city approvals. The city would pledge to purchase at least half its food from local producers.

Toronto under Joe Pantalone would care for the little guy. He wasn’t born to privilege or lofty position; neither has he grown fat from sitting on the perch of power and privilege. He’ll remember where he came from; he won’t forget where he needs to take his city — all of the city, from Rosedale to Rexdale.

Pantalone symbolizes all that’s good about a city that welcomes immigrant children and watches them grow up and aspire to be civic leaders.

Not surprisingly, Joe has a great sense of humour. His election print ads poke fun at his lack of height. During Pride Week, he handed out “Not your average Joe condoms.”

What has he done? Look to Exhibition Place, a massive and underused resource that Joe has steadily improved. Exhibition Place makes a profit. Sports are back on the property — at BMO Field and the Ricoh Centre. And the trade centre is awaiting vigorous marketing.

Yes, raw political analysis says that if Joe drops out of the race, George Smitherman stands to gain many votes and might be better positioned to defeat Rob Ford.

But Pantalone is not dropping out. That would betray traditional, progressive Toronto, he says. The anti-Smitherman sentiment is so strong that it’s George who should drop out to stop Ford. “I’ve made it abundantly clear my vision is not for negotiation,” Joe says.

If you loved Toronto’s direction under David Miller, you really have little choice in this election. It’s Little Joe. Pantalone’s electoral challenge is there was quite a bit not to like.

Later: George Smitherman’s positives