Mississauga.com

July 5, 2011

It’s easy to kick somebody when they’re down.

And, in the case of former Ward 6 Councillor Carolyn Parrish, it would have been easy for her to walk away from public service after suffering a humbling defeat in last October’s municipal election.

But, after allowing herself sufficient time to dry her tears, collect her thoughts and pick herself up by the bootstraps, Parrish is back in a big way.

One day after confirming that she’ll throw her hat into the proverbial ring to run in September’s Ward 5 by-election, Parrish will step back into the civic spotlight – literally.  She’ll be at centre stage in Hammerson Hall tomorrow night at the first-ever Mississauga Food Bank Concert.

Parrish was the driving force behind the rockin’ fundraiser that will also celebrate the food bank’s 25th anniversary.

She has arranged a stellar line-up of homegrown Mississauga talent that includes former Triumph guitar god Rik Emmett.  Also on the bill are operatic tenor Michael Ciufo, jazz vocalist Carol McCartney, bluesman Chuck Jackson, rocker Suzie McNeil and country singer Marshall Dane.  Comedian Mike Bullard will act as master of ceremonies.

More than 1,000 tickets, ranging in price from $50 – $150, have been sold.  That’s thanks in large part to the organizer’s ability to both sweet talk and twist arms.  For weeks, she has worked the phones and called in favours.

The end result is a great event that will support a worthy cause.

Credit where credit is due, we say.  Great job, Carolyn!