The mayoral and city council candidates were asked to reply to four questions that we hope will give voters a better idea on where they stand on some of the most challenging issues of the day.
1. The current city council voted 5-4 to keep Pine Valley. If this matter were to come before council again, how would you vote and why?
1. At all times fiscal responsibility must be balanced with quality of life amenities and public spaces. The concept of selling Pine Valley is pure politics and the one time sale will not solve our infrastructure problems. Give this publicly owned facility a fair and fighting chance to succeed and leave it alone.
2. City council voted 8-1 in favour of the Northern Recovery Centre for Women in the former Haldi Road elementary school. How would you have voted and why? (Incumbents: how did you vote and why?)
2. A Northern Recovery Centre for Women is needed. The voices from the Haldi Road neighbourhood were loud and clear, in opposition to the location. There were other options for the placement of the Centre, which was attested by other invested & like-minded organizations in our community. My vote would have been no to place the Northern Recovery Centre for Women in Haldi Road.
3. The current city council gave its bargaining committee a target of a net-zero increase to negotiate a new collective agreement with city workers, leading to the first-ever labour disruption by municipal staff. What will be your recommendation when the current collective agreements for city workers expire in 2016 and why?
3. My recommendation would have been to enter into bargaining with good faith and fairness as has been past practice. Any savings that could have been found from this new style of strong arm tactics were quickly lost (and arguably costs were actually incurred) in the cost of outsourcing a highly paid lawyer, additional City management at the bargaining table, plummeted employee morale and the resulting politics of snow removal.
4. Why should residents vote in the Nov. 15 municipal election?
4. A long time citizen, my husband and I have raised three children here and the majority of our extended family lives here as well. I have a lot invested in our community! My proven track record of hard work and passion for Prince George along with my ability to work respectfully with large groups of people from diverse backgrounds to get the job done will serve me well on Council. I intend to be a strong voice on City Council and am committed to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work, even when things get tough.
