Mayoralty candidate Shari Green pledged to get tough on crime and tighten belts at City Hall at the opening of her campaign office in Parkwood Mall on Thursday.
Green officially announced her candidacy in September, but unveiled her platform, campaign office and website Thursday
"Number one is about financial discipline and living in our means," Green said. "We have to challenge our department heads to find up to 10 per cent savings in their departments. Our ability to spend needs to be tied to our ability to pay. I think we're really at the end of tolerance for tax hikes."
City council needs to challenge city staff to find efficiencies, she said. However, cutting jobs is not on her agenda.
"For me job cuts is not something we want to consider," Green said.
On crime, Green said she would not support cuts to the RCMP Downtown Enforcement Unit which has reported significant success in reducing crime downtown.
However, Green said, she would not support hiring additional officers to fill shortfall the officers left in the units they were seconded from.
"We cannot afford to hire five more members, especially with the contract negotiations coming," Green said. "They have been making it work, and they'll have to continue to make it work. I don't see a tremendous concern."
In addition, the city needs to strengthen municipal laws and increase bylaw enforcement on marijuana grow operations, crack houses and gangs, she said.
Green said she would also be a strong advocate for the city with the provincial and federal government to have vacant judge and sheriff positions filled to prevent criminals going free because of trial delays.
Prince George also needs a specialized gang prosecution team, she added. Introducing a Bar Watch program is also on her list of priorities if elected.
Opening the city to new investment and growth, building a service-oriented culture at City Hall and a cooperative city council were other platform priorities.
"It may seem like a small thing, but we need to hang an 'open for business' sign in this town," Green said. "And, most importantly, let's make sure we have our priorities straight. We need to embrace the relentless pursuit of customer
service at City Hall."
City staff need to be empowered to solve problems and do what it takes to bring development to the city, she said. That culture of openness has to start at the mayor's office, Green added.
In terms of building an effective council team, that has to start by resolving the ongoing issues around the censure of Coun. Brian Skakun.
"We absolutely need closure around ... Skakun's privacy breach," she said.
"We need to create a team and value the skills each member brings to the table."
These are some pretty simple things this council have been lacking leadership on."
