The Journal’s City Hall newshound Gordon Kent broke the story in today’s paper about some councillors’ decision of where to run on the new 12 ward electoral map (which will be effective as of the October 2010 election).
It’s official: I plan to run in Ward 10 (‘barring death or dismemberment’ as Cllr. Anderson put it to me yesterday).
Cllr. Anderson and I came to a working understanding late last year that we would not run against each other, desiring instead that the bulk of our current Ward 5 constituents should have an experienced representative on their ballot. That way we might both continue to offer responsive services and knowledgeable representation. Should we each be fourtunate enough to receive another term we plan to continue to work together as we have on common issues and opportunities in the Southwest.
Neighbourhoods from today’s Ward 5 found their way into three of the new smaller wards. [Here's a map of the current 6 wards.]
The bulk of the current Ward 5 is to be divided along the Whitemud ravine, and then the Blackmud ravine south of 23rd Avenue. The eastern area where I will run (Southgate and Century Park area) will be Ward 10, the western area where Cllr. Anderson plans to run (Riverbend, Terwillegar, Windermere, Heritage Valley and Twin Brooks) will be Ward 9.
The three northernmost neighbourhoods in current Ward 5 (Belgravia, McKernan and Queen Alexandra) are in the new Ward 8, along with the campus area, Strathcona, Bonnie Doon and Capilano. My family bought a house in Belgravia last year to be closer to the new LRT, which means we do live just inside the new Ward 8.
I expect that I am not the only incumbent who will seek re-election in an area he or she represents now but doesn’t reside in because of the boundary changes. Nonetheless, I grew up in Ward 10 and my roots remain as deep as my commitment. I am excited to continue work on the challenges and opportunities that come with the LRT extension to Century Park, and other issues affecting older neighbourhoods in our city, such as fixing sidewalks, side streets and alleys and making new development as positive as possible when it occurs in established areas.
It remains an honour to represent all parts of Ward 5 until election day, though it is difficult in a way to think of ‘losing’ those parts of it that will be in the new Wards 8 and 9. I still strongly support the move to the smaller wards, though, and think this will be positive for reasons previously recorded here.
I’m looking forward to knocking on doors in the spring. Knowing that I have half as many doorsteps to reach means I have twice the opportunity to connect with the people I would like to continue to represent.
