george mccrea

Survey

Skateboard parks?

Skateboard parks: This is a great idea. Assuming all of the numbers produced so far are correct then there is time to adjust the CIP to allow construction of such park(s). Some sort of cost recovery from users may be acceptable or possibly a basic park/user maintenance program could be negotiated.

Environmental initiatives?

Environmental Issues: We must be good stewards of the planet. Should we stop all development to the detriment of furthering civilization? No. We must be mindful of balancing all development with environmental concerns and a balance must be maintained to ensure the progress of society and that environmental concerns are met. We must look at a cost/benefit analysis before jumping on board with alternative energy programs. Is it the taxpayers responsibility to assist business in providing alternative energies or is it the City's responsibility to provide the framework and the legislation which allows business to provide the service. I say the city should provide the framework for entrepreneurship and profitability.

Recycling services?

Recycling Services: This is a normal thing for us to be doing as we head further into the 21st Century. Recycling is becoming a way of life. There are already recycling firms in the City and it would be a question of just how far citizens wish the City (aka taxpayers) to get involved in a program. An evaluation of current service may be required to support further initiatives funded by the taxpayer. Can private enterprise take on a bigger role?

Performing arts building?

Performing Arts Building: The PAC is currently on the radar at a cost of approximately 75 million. This amount is over above the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) of 300 million already in place. Some funding for this is to come from the MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative - Province) although we have no idea what it will be until we get it. The "source" of the funds for operating and capital expenses had not yet been identified. Keep your eyes open September 2011. The second point on this issue is that the PAC "Steering Committee" provided an updated report to Council this past spring. Revenues were in the area of 1.2 million and expected expenses were in the area of 4.2 million. This leaves a deficit of 3 million a year in operating costs to be covered by the taxpayer. If there ever was a plebiscite question, this is it.

Access to and use of transit?

Transit: This is a necessary service to the public. We have top notch equipment in place to accommodate the needs of most passengers. Kneeling buses, access a ride. The question is do these work. Transit is heavily subsidized however seems reasonably priced. Adult/Post Secondary is one category of pricing. Should Post Secondary have its own price point with the view to lowering costs for students? That is worth looking at. Should we go to smaller more efficient buses and use the larger ones during peak hours on most used routes only. All of these are possibilities to make the system more affordable and cost effective. Seniors rates were frozen this year at $2.50/ride and $250.00/yearly pass. This will have a minimal effect on the transit budget as not a lot of seniors ride the bus.

Revitalization of downtown?

There seems to be constant talk and studies regarding revitalization. In the ICSP/MDP there is another set of example actions that only require further study and investigation. The Downtown BRZ could initiate exactly what they wish as a vision for downtown as those businesses provide the tax revenue and the employment in the area. Downtown parking, a central bus terminal, parking meters, snow removal, handicap accessibility are all part of maintaining a vibrant central core. The businesses in downtown should be the "go to" people for ideas and implementation of any plans.

Infrastructure - roads and pathways?

Infrastructure - Roads & Pathways: Generally I feel the city has a generous bike path system. Roadways in some areas are a different issue. South Mayor Magrath at Scenic Drive imposes a great bottleneck in that three lanes go to two and then just across the intersection go to three again. There is room to make the third lane continuous through the intersection. Infrastructure spending on roads is essential and citizens should be consulted on all major projects.

Snow removal?

Snow Removal: Oh, if we could only predict the weather. This will always be a cause of grief due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature. Clearing of sidewalks, bylaws and fines may need to be addressed but with caution and good judgment used by those in authority. Priority plans by the City seem reasonable in that major arteries receive the first attention followed by secondary. We can’t prepare for all circumstances.

Westside service development?

Westside Service Development: This needs to be considered through a community driven initiative. Those in West Lethbridge are better equipped to determine what services they require. The wish list complete with costing, funding, development, and returns all need to be openly and publicly discussed. What are the costs?

Property taxes levels?

Property Tax Levels: We could probably all agree that our property tax levels are too high and municipalities, cities, including our own raise taxes year in and year out unimpeded by any kind of restraint. Using the old axioms, that’s the cost of doing business, what services would you like cut the cities move on spending, spending, and spending. A good article appears in the National Post and can be found here: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/12/13/kevin-libin-why-a-backwar.... (credit Kevin Lebin, writer National Post). I don’t recall the last time where our city asked for cuts to any departments budgets. To reduce taxes efficiencies must be found in the current structure with each department budget scrutinized. I would like to see council instruct administration that a starting point for their next budgets would be efficiencies in the range of 10% less than the final figure from the previous years budget.

Homelessness?

Homelessness: There is a definite need for the services that are provided currently. My concern is the actual number of homeless reported. Several years ago it was reported in the Lethbridge Herald that the City had approximately 160 or so “homeless” people. Less than a year later the reported number had jumped to over 800. It would appear that the method of counting had changed dramatically and for what reason I am not sure. Do we have a definition of time required “on the street” so to speak before citizens are classified as “homeless”? Are individuals who require temporary accommodation included in these totals? We need to deal with the permanent homeless situation and ensure the funding is directed squarely at their needs.

Ward system for electing Alderman?

Ward System: An idea whose time is most certainly on the horizon. As the City grows constituents are finding themselves further distanced from their elected officials. Increasing the number of councilors is another topic for discussion. Currently the West, North and South could each use two with two at large if the numbers don’t change. If increasing the number of councilors to 10, numbers would be 3 North, 3 South, 3 West and 1 in a defined central core area including downtown. This is an interesting prospect. The process would be started with open public discussion. I will support investigation of implementing this system.

Communication between citizens and council?

Communication between citizens and council: There is always room for improvement in communications. Today’s technology provides many opportunities to broadcast council meetings, and for council to communicate with citizens. Council must not by pass conventional methods of public disclosure, television, newspapers as not everyone is technologically savvy or has access to it. Citizens must take on some responsibility and become in themselves “inquiring minds” on the information highways.

Relationship between council and administration?

Relationship between council and administration: From a public stand point this has the optics of the tail wagging the dog. Is this the case? Administration is charged with making recommendations based on their best information and council decides on the implementation of all submissions. The questions are. Does council do the requisite research, do they consult the general public, can they adequately and fairly represent the public wishes on topics, by laws, budgeting and expenditures? Is the Thursday before the council meeting enough time for councilors to receive, review and consult the public on any upcoming agenda items? Does council needs more time? The questions are, does council merely approve administrations presentations and submissions or does council actually instruct administration as to the wishes of the citizens. At the present in the public arena it appears to be the latter.

Where does the City of Lethbridge needs to focus its resources the most, and where is should reduce its resource commitment.

This is a very subjective question. Review of current focus of resources would have to be undertaken from the "inside" to determine where and what areas are to be the focus of resources, either more or less. If elected, reviewing the allocation of current resources would be a high priority for me.

Personal Details

Name

McCrea George

Email

geo.mccrea@gmail.com

Website

http://www.georgemccrea.com

Telephone number

403-320-1919

History

Member for

1 year 19 weeks