News profile1. What are your thoughts on city ownership of Saamis Solar, and what direction would you want to see council take with ownership of renewables?
Rather than focus on large solar fields, a more sustainable option is one that is more prevalent in Europe, people taking responsibility for their own energy by installing solar panels on private structures. Here, both the federal and the provincial governments have incentives and grants available. Excess energy can be sold back to the grid (minus transmission costs) Baseload capacity is required either way. A win-win without hundreds of millions spent.
2. What are your thoughts on the future of the energy division, specifically the concept of turning it into a municipally controlled corporation?
Maintaining electrical generation is the key to the Hat’s future as we have sold most of the gas and oil assets. The question of Council’s effective control is debatable given the debacle of two years ago when Council did not control the price to ratepayers – a classic model for being blind to local customers’ needs. The Rate Review Committee is a good start. A new MCC “light” proposal is coming forward, which must be honestly discussed with the constituents.
3. How would you look to balance taxation with the operation costs of running a city, as well as the services provided to residents?
In the last five years, the city spent, on average, over $400 million a year while collecting $80 million in taxes (only 20% of the total spent). The rest comes from utility sales, money from other governments, investment income, and more than $700 mil in reserves. Balance comes from using excess income for current taxpayers rather than future ones. A Three year tax freeze will allow for some economic certainty. Times are tough, the city doesn’t need to make it worse.
4. How would you approach economic development and any need to incentivize business to come to Medicine Hat?
Lack of economic & population growth has become a crisis, something ignored by previous councils. Economic development requires promoting the city’s many positive attributes, face to face, with prospective new companies. Face to face works. Every opportunity must be taken. Invite newcomers, ask “how can we help”? Use effective policies to get rid of red tape, reduce the cost and time of permits, and discontinue offsite levies (which is really a tax on new home and business owners). Use whatever resources we have – land, utilities, and taxation, to attract new business.
5.With the proposed north-side location for a permanent homeless shelter off the table, what do you think are the essential priorities a shelter location must provide?
The choices for a location get smaller all the time. Accessible location, easy access to services, and not deep in any residential areas. There are other interested parties besides the Mustard Seed who should be consulted as to location. Motels in the light industrial area have been mentioned but that will cause pushback from businesses in the neighbourhood. Perhaps farther afield using empty warehouses can be considered. Arena is a no go – there is mold and unlikely to get any occupancy permits . All choices just move the problem to a different location. The province and the feds must provide a more global solution than leaving the problem to municipalities.
6. A lot of focus during this election has been on property taxes, but many residents don’t own property. How can the city ease cost-of-living pressures for renters?
A majority of people live in owner occupied residences (more than 70%) Everybody pays taxes, homeowners and renters alike. For renters, it is filtered through landlords as part of the cost structure. Best solution is to freeze taxation and control energy costs to ease cost of living increases.
7.What are your thoughts on proposed recreational facilities like the Southside Outdoor Aquatics Centre and Brier Run Sports Field?
New recreation facilities are a part of the future. The problem is timing and cost. Building an outdoor rink and pool is foolish, we live in a cold winter climate. Having survived the Hockey Hounds when it was an outside rink, it was an uncomfortable experience. Crestwood pool is nearing the end of its life, so a new pool will come sooner than later, we need to work with our other governments to provide some financing. Sports fields in Brier Run ( across from the proposed solar field) without some in Southridge is a no go.
