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. I will vote to keep Pine Valley. Pine Valley has been providing us numbers of services since the 1960s. This is a great memorable place for lots of people. But over the years it has transformed itself into a prime commercial location, making itself exponentially valuable. I think we should find out the middle ground and sell some front land of the golf course and take some school playground land to rebuild the golf course and provide the entrance gate near Superstore. That way we not lose the golf course and we can sale the front commercial land. Win-win situation.
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. I am in favour of the Northern Recovery Centre for Women in the formerHaldi Roadelementary school. The site is already zoned as community care facility. Northern Recovery Centre is committed to being good neighbours to their locals and have already has established a Community Advisory Board focused on maintaining the facility meticulously and keeping low commercial activities.
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. I am in favour of reasonable increases for city workers as long as we can maintain a more productive work environment. I believe in keeping less employees but happy employees. At the same time we have to take care for ourtax payer's interest not to put extra burden on them. I think bargaining committee should keep the balance during negotiation. I disagree with the City council gave its bargaining committee a target of a net-zero increase before negotiation, this kind of approach shows that we are not interested in negotiation, then why
4. Why should residents vote in the Nov. 15 municipal election?
4. Voting is our fundamental democratic right that is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and freedoms. This is a great opportunity for everyone to select the right representative who can stand beside you; save money; provide better growth opportunities; take care of the basic needs and take sstrong action when required. Voting is a powerful way to send a message to government and politicians for expression, concerns and priorities.
