wade galloway

Survey

Skateboard parks?

Without question, the City of Lethbridge needs new facilities. I've written extensively on the issue at http://www.lethskate.com/. The largest failure of past councils and administration is the lack of transparency. Issues and initiatives brought forward by the community deserve to be heard in a public forum and their fate should be decided by an open and honest process.

Whether you support new skateboard plazas or vehemently oppose them, I think we can agree that the process is as important as the outcome. The skateboard community has been repeatedly failed and I will work to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

Lethbridge should have a skateboard plaza that we can all be proud of! Skateboarders deserve access to appropriate facilities, just like everyone else. 10% of Lethbridge households are home to a skateboarder and the current skateboard park was ranked worst amongst all recreational and cultural facilities in 2007. (http://www.wadegalloway.com/media/1/20110105-Lethbridge_Recreation_and_C...)

Environmental initiatives?

I spend considerable time during the winter in the backcountry snowboarding and I can say unequivocally and without reservation: our climate is changing. I am responsible to do all that I can to ensure that my children and someday, their children will be able enjoy this planet like we do today.

Just as we, as individuals, need to take responsibility, the City also needs to show leadership in stewardship for the environment. But, because the City spends money on behalf of the taxpayers, it also needs to carefully evaluate the costs and effectiveness of environmental programs. While lofty environmental goals are laudable, we need to remember that at roughly 90,000 people, we do have limited resources for such initiatives and their impact on a global scale are not very large.

Recycling services?

My utility bill has a "waste reduction charge" listed under recycling services. It is currently a relatively nominal amount and would need to grow considerably to fund a curb side program. An ubiquitous program like that would undoubtedly result in higher recycling levels amongst residents when compared to our current centralized drop off system. A curb side program is something that would require significant consultation with the community to fully explore benefits and costs.

Performing arts building?

The 2007 Recreation and Culture Facilities Master Plan (http://www.wadegalloway.com/media/1/20110105-Lethbridge_Recreation_and_C...) contains a significant amount of data relating to resident perceptions about the Yates (our current performing arts building) and their expectations for a renovated facility or the construction of a new one.

24% of respondents said the Yates was “very effective”. The plan also identified a $12 million renovation option which would address many issues with the Yates and bring it up to modern standards. It even included an option to increase seating to 750 people.

A new performing arts building would be nice to have, but at $75 million in capital costs it is an option that should be scaled back or deferred into the future.

Access to and use of transit?

Transit is a very important component of any city and increasing ridership is vital for environmental reasons and also for reducing traffic congestion. Low ridership originates because of poor value - meaning either prices are too high or the services aren't sufficient. Empty or under utilized buses are not a good use of resources.

A thorough review is required to explore options which will increase value to riders without unduly burdening taxpayers. This could include reducing cost recovery temporarily in an attempt to expand ridership levels.

Revitalization of downtown?

The downtown has improved significantly over the past few years and it's important the trajectory continues. New facilities such as the splash park along with planned facilities like the Community Arts Centre and potential facilities such as a skateboard plaza or a new/renovated Performing Arts Centre will all draw people downtown.

The process is circular – more facilities will yield more people, which in turn will yield yet more facilities. Locally owned and operated shops, restaurants, along with arts and cultural facilities are vital to a vibrant downtown. We also need to continue support for the work of the Downtown BRZ, in their proven track record in restoring vitality to the downtown core.

Infrastructure - roads and pathways?

The City continues to expand and grow the network of paths and trails. They are an important component of the quality of life we enjoy here. They should be properly maintained and expanded as the city grows.

Improving transit and encouraging services on the west side will help alleviate some roadway congestion. Retrofitting bike lanes into existing infrastructure and ensuring they're part of the original plan for new areas is important.

Better planning and building with a vision towards future capacity, rather than current capacity is needed. The “twinning” of University Drive or the intersection at Whoop Up & McMcaster are examples of projects that could have been built right the first time, rather than doing it twice, at additional cost, and causing inconveniences during the upgrades.

Snow removal?

In chinooks we trust? Snow fencing was deficient this year causing massive drifting in residential areas which in turn required additional costs to clean up what could have been prevented. Our climate will routinely deliver blizzards that even the best priority cleaning plans along with all available machinery won't be able to keep up with. Consideration should be given to utilizing private contractors to reduce equipment and labour overhead.

Westside service development?

Local commercial real estate agents have told me there's been a standing offer from a developer to get the ball rolling on the Crossings area for over a year. City Hall has dragged their feet and apparently retained yet another consultant to tell them what to do.

The City itself can not and should not create additional businesses on the west side. All they can do is create an environment where investment dollars are welcome. I am a firm believer that capital dollars flow to where they are needed and stay where they are most welcome.

Why haven't investors built the buildings to house the businesses that west side residents so desperately want and need? Should the City be directly involved in land development? Their involvement in the process is distorting the market place and unfortunately west side residents are the casualties.

Property taxes levels?

The City has a spending problem which in turn has caused a taxation problem. Taxes and utilities fees (really another tax) can't continue to grow unchecked at a pace faster than incomes. I've lived here only four years and have seen a substantial increase in my taxes. Holding the line or cutting taxes does not have to mean a reduction in services, but it does require political will.

The city holds tens of millions of dollars in various reserve funds, including the much maligned MRSR (Municipal Revenue Stabilization Reserve). In order to acquire a surplus and accumulate a reserve, the City must take in more than they spend which compounds the tax level problems. Quite simply, we are paying taxes and receiving no current value for them.

Every dollar hoarded into a reserve fund could have been left in the pocket of the taxpayers! Zero based budgeting is a must.

Homelessness?

A global problem without easy answers but one that is very important. A place to live is one of life's necessities. Progressing the homeless into productive and contributing members of society should be the ultimate goal. It's an investment that we all shoulder as taxpayers and whether those funds originate from the municipal level or senior levels, they are still our tax dollars. As with any allocation of public funds, measuring the results and ensuring positive outcomes is imperative.

Programs to prevent homelessness and those that encourage an individual's progression towards having a home would be ones that I would support over those that simply seek to manage or maintain the status quo.

Ward system for electing Alderman?

Absolutely and it's imperative that it have a residency requirement - ie. to run in the ward, you must actually live in it. A ward system will increase communication and accountability. It makes it possible for an Aldermanic candidate to knock on doors and get to know the voters. Most importantly, it encourages and fosters that relationship during their service as Alderman.

The vast majority of the current members of council spoke out against a ward system on this website during the last election. Why?

An at large system favours the incumbents and giving up power is to do, but it is the right thing to do. If we're serious about building an inclusive city where all voices are represented, a ward system is a vital step.

Communication between citizens and council?

There is a culture of secrecy at City Hall which needs to be corrected. It's our money and our information - we deserve access to it. Bridget Mearns has followed through on her campaign promise of posting how she voted and why (http://www.bridgetmearns.com/88834.html). This should be extended to all members of council and placed on the City's new website.

Members of council who truly embrace accountability should have no qualms explaining how a decision was reached after reviewing the pros and cons. Engaged citizens deserve an open public forum as provided by the internet to interact and communicate with those elected to represent them.

Relationship between council and administration?

"There are some people at city hall, not all of whom are elected, who think they should decide what the public should know, or should be told. I believe the public should be told bloody everything, but it's an uphill climb to convince them of that." Liz Iwaskiw as quoted in the Lethbridge Herald September 15, 2007.

The community widely believes that administration is the tail that wags the dog and I will fight to put the dog back in charge! Like retiring Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams said “(I'm) never happy unless I’m taking someone on. Well folks, I am here to tell you today that those people are right”

Make no mistake, the process to correct things and put the dog back in charge will be messy, but I will fight for it. Please vote for someone else if you're happy with how things are today.

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

The City needs to focus its resources on giving residents open access to information. It's our information and we deserve to have timely, open and honest access to it. We're the ones footing the bill, we should do more than simply write the cheque and complain about it. Increased public scrutiny will be the ultimate outcome and future councils along with administration will learn their roles.

On the flipside, the City needs to reduce their reliance on consultants. The amount of money spent bringing in "outside expertise" by some counts is in the tens of millions of dollars over the last decade. This needs to stop. We should already have experts on the payroll within administration and we deserve to have elected representatives who appreciate that the best consultant is the citizen - and they'll tell you what they think for free, but only if you listen!

Personal Details

Name

Galloway Wade

Email

wade@wadegalloway.com

Website

http://www.wadegalloway.com

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/lethskate

Facebook Details

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wade-Galloway-for-Alderman/172732599415398

Telephone number

403-894-9498

History

Member for

1 year 19 weeks