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. Our trails and parks are a vital part of our community. I would not support the sale of Pine Valley Golf and would keep it as an 18 hole par three golf course because it is so valuable as a learning facility. It's a good course for all ages. Once a green space is sold, it is gone forever.
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 did not vote in favor of this rezoning. There is no denying this type of facility is needed in Prince George but not in a rural residential area. I was trying to protect the integrity of the neighborhood. I listened to the voices of the neighborhood and the proponents and voted to support the neighborhood.
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. During the last negotiation process City Council was not as informed as we should have been. In 2016 I would ensure City Council played a more prominent role in the negotiation process and that the negotiated settlement would be equitable for both sides.
4. Why should residents vote in the Nov. 15 municipal election?
4. Many of the freedoms we have are because men and women went to war to preserve our many rights. We cannot take for granted the right to vote and not exercise that right because we don't have time or might not care who is running for what position. Our youth vote is critical and needs to express their opinions and vote this election. With both School Board and City Council terms being expanded to four years, it is more important now to vote because you will have that much longer before you can hold elected officials accountable.
