After knocking on thousands of doors this summer and listening carefully to frustrated residents, two things are clear to me: Ward 5 needs new representation, and Edmonton needs better vision. A councillor must work with colleagues to make decisions for the good of the city, while also championing the needs of Ward 5 — a dual role I eagerly look forward to, and to which my leadership, advocacy and community experience are ideally suited.
I stand for focused long-term urban planning combined with proper care of roads and infrastructure to build a more efficient city; I stand for better transit, protecting green space, slowing sprawl, and increasing density to build a more environmentally responsible city; and I stand for restoring vibrancy in our communities through better walkability, support for the arts, and renewed community policing.
I have a sense of urgency because our city’s two paramount long-range planning documents, the Municipal Development Plan and the Transportation Master Plan, are both being reworked, and it will be up to the new council to complete and implement them. These are important decisions with lasting ramifications.
Ward 5 needs serious and dedicated councillors to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated, and to see that Edmonton moves forward with renewed vision.
On October 15, lend me your support and send some fresh perspective to city hall.
