Candidate Survey Results
Candidate running for Councillor **Late Entry**
1
Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitilization Zone Question:
What is your position on Revitalization of downtown Lethbridge?
Answer
I support revitalization of downtown and 13 Street North. These areas contribute to the vibrancy of Lethbridge. I was Co-Chair of the Community Arts Centre Steering Committee and have participated in Heart of the City sessions.
2
Greensence/SAGE/KLEW question 1:
Human activities are contributing to global warming and climate change. Please choose from:
Agree
Disagree
It's complicated
Answer
Agree
Comment
No comment.
3
Greensence/SAGE/KLEW question 2:
The Environment Lethbridge Council have requested a seed grant of $120,000/year from City Council. Would you support the City providing seed money for the Environment Lethbridge Council? Please choose:
Agree
Disagree
It's complicated
Answer
Agree
Comment
I would like to review their business plan before fully committing to funding.
4
Greensence/SAGE/KLEW question 3:
Do you support expanding the City's waste management plan to include curbside recycling? Please choose
Agree
Disagree
It's complicated
Answer
It's complicated
Comment
I share my home with one of my brothers and we have actively recycled and reduced waste (including re-usable shopping bags) for more than twenty years. We found locating the recycling depots at shopping destinations to be very convenient. I would support curbside collection if it increased the number of households and businesses actively recycling and if there is a market for the recycled items.
5
Greensence/SAGE/KLEW question 4:
Some cities, like Medicine Hat offer incentives to utility consumers to improve their homes and reduce utility use. Are you in favour of implementing a similar incentive program in Lethbridge to encourage residents, businesses, and the City itself to reduce their carbon footprint? Please choose:
Yes
No
Answer
Yes
Comment
As a Council member, I would request administration and/or the Environment Council research incentive programs and provide recommendations to Council for consideration.
6
Greensence/SAGE/KLEW question 5:
In 2012, Lethbridge City Council adopted a non-binding resolution opposing the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in drilling for oil and gas within municipal limits. Would you actively seek to enforce this resolution? Please choose:
Full Ban
Non biding resolution
No position
Support fracking
Answer
Full Ban
Comment
No comment.
7
Lethbridge & District Labour Council question 1:
What is your position on Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) and the function they serve in the future growth of the City of Lethbridge? Please choose:
Oppose P3s
No opinion
Support P3s
Answer
Oppose P3s
Comment
Generally, I am opposed to P3s. I would consult with residents and consider the nature of the project before making a decision.
8
Lethbridge & District Labour Council question 2:
Is the contracting out of public services necessary to the operations of the City of Lethbridge? Please choose:
Yes
No
Unsure
Answer
Unsure
Comment
Sometimes contracting out of services is appropriate. I would consult with residents and consider the nature of the public service before making a decision.
9
Lethbridge & District Labour Council question 3:
Buy-local or Made-in-Canada purchasing policies should be supported even if they result in higher costs. Please choose:
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
Answer
Somewhat agree
Comment
Unfortunately, provincial and federal legislation requires the City to follow TILMA, NWPTA, and other trade-related agreements.
10
Lethbridge & District Labour Council question 4:
Closure of Federal Government service offices and reductions in Provincial funding to post-secondary education have implications to the community of Lethbridge in terms of service loss and job loss. What is your position on these closures and reductions and, as a municipal leader, what should the City’s role be when the decisions of other levels of government affect citizens of Lethbridge?
Answer
As a Council member I would ensure that the other levels of government are informed of how their decisions affect our economy and quality of life in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.
11
Lethbridge & District Labour Council question 5:
Most of our public services and facilities have a user fee but the City subsidizes the cost of the facility or service. What is your position on the subsidization of public services and facilities? Please choose from:
Users should not pay at all so that everyone can access the service.
Small user fees should be charged but I would consider waiving them for low income people, students, and seniors.
A user fee should be charged to all users.
The City should not be subsidizing someone’s hobbies or recreation.
Answer
A user fee should be charged to all users.
Comment
There are circumstances where subsidization is appropriate. I would consult with residents and consider the nature of the service and possibilities and need for subsidization before making a decision.
12
Lethbridge & District Labour Council question 6:
The City of Lethbridge should endorse an expanded Canada Pension Plan strategy and implement a Living Wage policy.Please choose from:
Strongly disagree.
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
Answer
Somewhat agree
Comment
The City should lead in having a trained, fairly compensated, and safe workforce.
13
Play Local question 1:
Which of these approaches do you favour and explain why you favour this approach in the comment section.Please select:
Building infrastructure and facilities to meet current needs in order to keep taxes low
Investing additional funds to accommodate future growth
Answer
Investing additional funds to accommodate future growth
Comment
No comment.
14
Play Local question 2:
These three projects may come up in the next community improvement plan process:
- Performing Arts Centre
- Developing the Exhibition Park
- Completion of the final phase of the Crossings Ice Complex.
If you could only fund one of these projects which would you choose? Please explain your choice in the comment section.
If you could only fund one of these projects which would you choose? Please explain your choice in the comment section.
Answer
No answer
Comment
As a City we can do more than one thing at a time (we can walk and chew gum at the same time). All three are important and valuable facilities that will add to the economy, vibrancy, and quality of life in Lethbridge. I am committed to seeing the Performing Arts Centre and Exhibition Park development supported during the City's current CIP plan (2014-2013) and seeing the Ice Complex on the next CIP.. As a member of Council, I will actively work towards securing provincial and federal funding for all three projects.
15
Play Local question 3:
During the last phase of the 2013 CIP, only the aquatic portion of the leisure centre was approved. What would be your commitment to having the final phase (the fieldhouse portion of the centre) completed?
Answer
No answer
16
Play Local question 4:
The Recreation and Culture Master Plan report commissioned by the City of Lethbridge found that Lethbridge has inadequate recreation facilities. Why do you think that this situation developed and what would you do to rectify this?
Answer
Unfortunately, in the last thirty years the City has slipped behind on some necessary investments in facilities. Recently, significant investments have been made on City (or corporate) facilities. I am committed to seeing more focus on recreational and cultural facilities.
17
Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society question:
Many Lethbridge residents with First Nations' Status face considerable difficulty when accessing services in the City of Lethbridge. As Status holders, they are referred to support on reserve. On reserve, they are referred to services in the city as they are residents of Lethbridge. As an elected official, how would you propose to remediate these gaps in service and accessibility issues?
Answer
I am committed to seeing Lethbridge more welcoming and inclusive for all residents. As a member of Council, I will help foster stronger working relationships and partnerships with organizations like Sik-Ooh-Kotoki, Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge, Aboriginal Housing Authority,
18
Group question 1:
On council, would you activily support the following?
Ward system for electing councillors? Please choose:
Yes
No
Unsure
Answer
No
19
Group question 1b:
On council, would you activily support the following?
Councillor become a full-time position? Please choose:
Yes
No
Unsure
Answer
Yes
20
Group question 2:
The City of Lethbridge is a signatory to the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination. In addition to this, do you support the allocation of additional financial resources to create local initiatives that foster the city's commitment to inclusion? In the comment box please elaborate on your answer. Please choose:
Yes
No
Unsure
Answer
Yes
Comment
In addition to CMARD, the City's Social Policy is: “We envision a city in which all individuals, families, and communities have opportunities for healthy development leading to social well-being. We believe that healthy development and social well-being occur when: - All citizens are treated with dignity and respect. - Diversity is recognized and viewed as an asset that enriches every aspect of people’s lives. - Disparities between groups are reduced such that all citizens have access to the basic necessities of life. - All people have opportunity to participate in community life, contribute to society and develop their potential, irrespective of their age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic position. - Citizens experience a sense of belonging, acceptance and recognition. - All citizens share in the responsibility of ensuring the quality of life within a community. " I am committed to seeing Council support initiatives and help fulfill our Social Policy. I am the current President of OUTreach Southern Alberta Society which is a member of Lethbridge's CMARD Committee.
21
Group question 3:
Do you support a bylaw that ensures all buildings serving the public (existing, renovated and new) are physically accessible? Please elaborate on your answer in the comment section. Please choose:
Yes
No
Unsure
Answer
Yes
Comment
I am committed to ensuring that Lethbridge is accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for all residents.
22
Group question 4:
The following are some of the issues you may be asked to address on City Council. Please choose no more than your top 5 priorities.
- Affordable and plentiful family recreational and leisure opportunities
- Bikeable city
- Frequent and accessible public transportation
- Vibrant downtown
- Available low-income housing
- Community gardens
- Residential waste reduction
- Reduced administration costs at City Hall
- Promotion of Lethbridge as a “City of Choice” for skilled workers
- Low residential taxes
- Reduced business licensing costs
- No Herbicide city policy
- Municipal Food policy
- City operated curbside recycling
- A third bridge to the West
- Airport enhancement
- Other (please explain in comment box below)
Answer
Promotion of Lethbridge as a “City of Choice” for skilled workers, Available low-income housing, Residential waste reduction, Airport enhancement, Vibrant downtown
Comment
No comment.
Candidate Details
Born and raised in Lethbridge (and other than two years), I have lived in north Lethbridge all my life. I am a graduate of Lethbridge College (Business Administration) and University of Lethbridge (Bachelor of Management).
I have been an active volunteer for nearly 25 years. I have served on many boards and committees including: Volunteer Lethbridge, United Way of Southwestern Alberta, Playgoers of Lethbridge, Lethbridge HIV Connection, Lethbridge College Alumni, University of Lethbridge Alumni, Rhino in the Room Film Fest, Communities in Bloom - Lethbridge, Lethbridge West Alberta Liberal Association.