<clip> Hello from the C-FAX Newsroom. This year, we are creating a web feature called the “C-FAX Candidate Guide.” It’s driven by listener requests for a way to gauge where candidates, across the Capital Region, stand on a range of issues. We are asking “yes” and “no” questions on those subjects. You may elaborate on your answer in no more than 50 words per question. Any answer that does not include a direct “yes” or “no” will not be included. Answers in the form of links to a candidate's website will not be included. The questionnaire results will be posted on our website in separate sections for each district. The results also may be referred to in on-air discussions on C-FAX. Thank you."
To repeat: CFAX wants a 'yes or no' to each question, otherwise it won't be published. I'd like to have seen an "it's complicated" category (spoken like a true politician in training wheels, right?)
* Would you commit to holding municipal property tax increases to no greater than the prevailing rate of inflation? No. Certain essential infrastructure projects (sidewalks, street lights) may require mild short-term pain for longer-term gain. I commit to being fiscally responsible and will follow all due public process. Of course, ‘yes’ is the right answer in principle and as a general practice.
______
• Would you vote to limit union and exempt staff pay increases to no greater than the prevailing rate of inflation? Yes.
______
• Would you vote to keep infrastructure projects down to the most basic (cheapest) designs? No. Cheaper is not necessarily better. District staff need to weigh all proposals, and choose one that fully meets proposal specs at a fair, reasonable price. Local suppliers must be given full encouragement and every opportunity to win contracts within tender and RFP guidelines.
_______
• Do you think the Trans-Canada Highway-McKenzie intersection is the most important transportation issue facing the Capital region? No. It’s one of them. In Sooke, we need ongoing upgrades to Hwy 14 (more formal pullovers and bus stops), improved transit service and exploration of car-and-van pooling options.
______
• Do you favour a formal study of municipal amalgamation options in the Capital Region? Yes. I’m interested in learning about the options while having no strong opinion one way or other. More important for Sooke in the immediate future is a commitment to a “good neighbour” policy with the T’Sou-ke Nation and the JDF Electoral District. More conversation, collaboration and joint ventures please!
_______
• Will you vote for policies and spending that would resurrect rail service on the E&N line? No. This is a matter for VIA Rail, Southern Railway of BC, and regional, provincial and federal levels of government. That said, light-rapid transit is essential in linking Victoria to Van Isle’s eastern seaboard.
______
• Is it necessary to increase the size of sidewalks in your municipality? Yes. A true priority locally for the Town Centre, along Otter Point Rd. to the Municipal Hall, and especially on the West Coast Road from the hotel to Otter Pt. Rd. Boat/trailer dangers in the latter area must be addressed ASAP. Also: More crosswalks at busy junctures.
____
• Does your municipality need separated bike lanes? Yes. Sooke’s Master Transportation Plan identifies them as a priority. They're essential on the main road. Multi-use trials are in the District plan for all new new secondary road construction. Priority: Establishment of formal cycling and walking trails in the town’s westside to connect with the trail network east of Otter Pt. Road.
_______
• Should the default speed limit be lowered in your municipality on some streets? No. Better answer: Maybe. We do require more policing of the speed limit to slow traffic along Hwy 14 and on certain streets (Grant Rd. for instance). Speed humps (not bumps) and other proven traffic claming devices must be investigated.
_______
• Should personal mobility scooters be regulated? Yes.
_______
• Is a deer cull necessary in your municipality? No. That said, this one falls in the "it's complicated" category. As a homeowner in a residential neighbourhood adjacent to a forest, my wife and I deeply cherish the local deer population while also grieving over animals killed on Sooke roadways. WildSafe BC suggestions on animal/human interaction must be promoted.
_______
• Should secondary suites be legal in your municipality? Yes. They already are legal.
_______
• Does your municipality need more stringent noise regulations? No. We need efficient, even-handed bylaw enforcement as a general rule.
_______
• Do you believe the Capital Region’s mandatory summer time water use restrictions are necessary? Yes. The emerald green lawn is not part of Sooke’s culture. That said, we need to promote the CRD's rainwater harvesting program. On a related subject, Sooke needs to immediately enact the CRD’s model pesticide-use control bylaw.
_______
• Should mayors be required to be a delegate to, and serve on committees of, the Capital Regional District Board? Yes.
Opinions? I got a million of them! So do you. Let's hear them and have the dialogue in a respectful public process, reach consensus and move forward with as much grace, positivity and practical, real-world actions as possible. Bottom line intention in all my thinking: Do no harm (but take no s***) ;-)
To repeat: CFAX wants a 'yes or no' to each question, otherwise it won't be published. I'd like to have seen an "it's complicated" category (spoken like a true politician in training wheels, right?)
* Would you commit to holding municipal property tax increases to no greater than the prevailing rate of inflation? No. Certain essential infrastructure projects (sidewalks, street lights) may require mild short-term pain for longer-term gain. I commit to being fiscally responsible and will follow all due public process. Of course, ‘yes’ is the right answer in principle and as a general practice.
______
• Would you vote to limit union and exempt staff pay increases to no greater than the prevailing rate of inflation? Yes.
______
• Would you vote to keep infrastructure projects down to the most basic (cheapest) designs? No. Cheaper is not necessarily better. District staff need to weigh all proposals, and choose one that fully meets proposal specs at a fair, reasonable price. Local suppliers must be given full encouragement and every opportunity to win contracts within tender and RFP guidelines.
_______
• Do you think the Trans-Canada Highway-McKenzie intersection is the most important transportation issue facing the Capital region? No. It’s one of them. In Sooke, we need ongoing upgrades to Hwy 14 (more formal pullovers and bus stops), improved transit service and exploration of car-and-van pooling options.
______
• Do you favour a formal study of municipal amalgamation options in the Capital Region? Yes. I’m interested in learning about the options while having no strong opinion one way or other. More important for Sooke in the immediate future is a commitment to a “good neighbour” policy with the T’Sou-ke Nation and the JDF Electoral District. More conversation, collaboration and joint ventures please!
_______
• Will you vote for policies and spending that would resurrect rail service on the E&N line? No. This is a matter for VIA Rail, Southern Railway of BC, and regional, provincial and federal levels of government. That said, light-rapid transit is essential in linking Victoria to Van Isle’s eastern seaboard.
______
• Is it necessary to increase the size of sidewalks in your municipality? Yes. A true priority locally for the Town Centre, along Otter Point Rd. to the Municipal Hall, and especially on the West Coast Road from the hotel to Otter Pt. Rd. Boat/trailer dangers in the latter area must be addressed ASAP. Also: More crosswalks at busy junctures.
____
• Does your municipality need separated bike lanes? Yes. Sooke’s Master Transportation Plan identifies them as a priority. They're essential on the main road. Multi-use trials are in the District plan for all new new secondary road construction. Priority: Establishment of formal cycling and walking trails in the town’s westside to connect with the trail network east of Otter Pt. Road.
_______
• Should the default speed limit be lowered in your municipality on some streets? No. Better answer: Maybe. We do require more policing of the speed limit to slow traffic along Hwy 14 and on certain streets (Grant Rd. for instance). Speed humps (not bumps) and other proven traffic claming devices must be investigated.
_______
• Should personal mobility scooters be regulated? Yes.
_______
• Is a deer cull necessary in your municipality? No. That said, this one falls in the "it's complicated" category. As a homeowner in a residential neighbourhood adjacent to a forest, my wife and I deeply cherish the local deer population while also grieving over animals killed on Sooke roadways. WildSafe BC suggestions on animal/human interaction must be promoted.
_______
• Should secondary suites be legal in your municipality? Yes. They already are legal.
_______
• Does your municipality need more stringent noise regulations? No. We need efficient, even-handed bylaw enforcement as a general rule.
_______
• Do you believe the Capital Region’s mandatory summer time water use restrictions are necessary? Yes. The emerald green lawn is not part of Sooke’s culture. That said, we need to promote the CRD's rainwater harvesting program. On a related subject, Sooke needs to immediately enact the CRD’s model pesticide-use control bylaw.
_______
• Should mayors be required to be a delegate to, and serve on committees of, the Capital Regional District Board? Yes.
Opinions? I got a million of them! So do you. Let's hear them and have the dialogue in a respectful public process, reach consensus and move forward with as much grace, positivity and practical, real-world actions as possible. Bottom line intention in all my thinking: Do no harm (but take no s***) ;-)
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