We need to be committed to keeping the environment healthy so it can be enjoyed for future generations. I would advocate for the following:

1.    Within our own operations we need to continue with the implementation of an ISO14001 conforming Environmental Master Plan

2.    Institute an urban forestation policy to minimize the City’s carbon footprint

3.    Work with Alberta Environment to resolve existing issues associated with abandoned landfills along Sturgeon River and Carrot Creek. This is essential to facilitate rezoning annexed lands

4.    Water quality of Sturgeon River is a complex problem both from a technical and regulatory perspective. The City should investigate opportunities to improve the recreational value of the river, without significant tax burden or jurisdictional obstacles from Regulators. Water quality should not decline between where the river enters the City and where it exits

5.    Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides on City parks, boulevards and green spaces.

6.    Encourage the use of reusable shopping bags

7.    Pedestrian and bike friendly transit corridors and build Transit Oriented Developments (TOD).

8.    The City could offer energy efficiency audits to homeowners so they would have a baseline to improve efficiency and reduce heating (and cooling) costs. The City could start with its own buildings!

9.    I would love to set up a website designed to provide expert advice to the residents of St. Albert on issues such as sustainable gardening, minimizing water usage on lawns, information on alternative weed control methods, household energy efficiency. We have experienced City staff with knowledge to provide this information. The website could be sponsored by local greenhouses and could be made available to local businesses to advertise their environmentally friendly products and services.

As a councillor I would be spearhead environmental issues.

Monday night (Sept 20^th) council passed two important motions:

a)    change the zoning of 70 Arlington Drive to Direct Control District from its previous zoning of Public and Private Service District

b)    consider the construction of a 24- unit semidetached Habitat for Humanity housing development.

The advertised public hearing was for a 34 unit (reduced to 30 before the hearing started). With this change the applicants will have to resubmit a plan which will once again have a public hearing and this will be heard AFTER the election.

What does this all mean? It means that before we head to the polls on October 18^th it will be important to find out where candidates stand on this contentious issue.

I would first like to say that when I entered this race fore a city council seat I had a very social platform. I believe that our city has a reputation for being a wealthy suburb, but we are much more than that and have our own social issues. I strongly support initiatives that focus on the root cause of these issues such as the 40 Developmental Assets, block parties, community leagues, our youth center, senior center etc. I also highly believe we need to take care of our own. Services like Meals on Wheels and those offered at agencies such as the Food Bank, SAIF, Parents Place, Community Village, etc need to be maintained. Affordable Housing falls into this social category. We have a need here in St. Albert. I will push for more homes to be affordable because if you choose to live in St. Albert you should be able to. Affordability can be achieved many ways, and one of them does NOT have to be ramming a high density development into an established neighbourhood especially when it is not zoned for it.

I would not have been in support of the rezoning to start with. As a home owner we did our research before and bought with a full understanding of what could potentially surround us. In front of our house is a park. I would fight hard if the city tried to rezone it for any type of development. This would drastically affect the value of my home but more importantly alter the understanding I had when I bought.

It is my understanding that the residents backing on to the area gave up some of their backyard because they thought they were to have a school behind them. If the city is to rezone away from that then the backyards should be returned to them or somehow compensated.

Now that the area is under the direct control of council they will make decisions on the development essentially they are now the development approval authority. Habitat will come back with a new proposal for 24 units (that is if they don’t pull out all together) which will be debated once again. I have heard from some residents personally and I also really listened to their pleas. It seems unfortunate that our city has reached this impasse. Obviously the residents of Akinsdale feel frustrated, ignored, and have lost trust in council. I find this very sad. If elected I will work hard to mend these fences.

As for the development itself. I have already stated that I would have preferred that it was not rezoned, but I have also heard that the residents are not opposed to a Habitat project in the area they just want to be consulted and when they were they need to be heard. The next step will be to hear from Habitat. I need to know the lowest number of units they can put on the land and still provide affordable housing. It is time to move ahead with a compromise that the residents are happy with. It is time for this 30 year debate to be settled so the residents no longer live in limbo.

Hot Topics

Often, it is politically safe for candidates to hide from the most polarizing issues in our community, retreating to the comfort of marginal topics. I believe that St. Albert needs real leadership and although these issues are complex, I have provided my views based on what I have learned to date.

a. Downtown Area Redevelop Plan (“DARP”)

DARP is a vision, a concept. We cannot afford to NOT plan. It will bring new life to our downtown, it will increase our city’s density which is required by the Capital Region Board, it will reduce urban sprawl and it will be driven by the market with each step analysed and voted on by many future councils. As of yet there are no tax dollars attached. I support the concept of DARP. Once the detailed implementation plans are delivered to council next spring, priorities on capital projects will be set and the real work will begin.

b. Affordable Housing in St. Albert.

I believe residents need to change their outlook on how St. Albert is built. Higher density is not anti-St. Albert. Potential buyers may prefer smaller, homes, condos etc. Options in all neighbourhoods will allow for more affordability. And these options should be clearly established early and as part of the planning with the developers. We need to avoid circumstances where affordable housing is rammed into the older neighbourhoods. I believe that St. Albert has evolved from a bedroom town to a vibrant and diverse city. And this city cannot exist without affordable housing!

c. Fiscal Accountability.

Our operating spending has increased by 92% from 2002 to 2009 however our population has only grown by 13%. During that same period, we have enjoyed many opportunities to increase the asset base and net surplus by 184%. Our net debt per capita has increased but our net surplus per capita has increased even more.

When making future spending decisions, we need to ask ourselves:

i) Will the additional expenses provide a tangible benefit to all residents, and not just a small special interest group?

ii) Does this fit into a long-range plan? We don’t want to be committed to capital projects where we cannot afford the ongoing operating costs.

iii) Is it a strategic expense? Will it generate future revenue, either through new fees or broadening our tax base and attracting new businesses and residents?

What this means:

- Our property tax per capita has increased nearly 6% above the average in just four years! We need to be mindful of our increases.

- Despite garnering more property taxes per capita, we still have lower revenue per capita than our neighbours.

- We spend less per capita than other municipalities.

We need to:

- We need to reduce our reliance on property taxes and find other sources or revenue.

I look forward to learning more on these issues while on Council.