THUNDER BAY – Candidates Ledger – As I listen to the people in CURRENT RIVER WARD, I’m hearing the same thing again and again. It’s time for change. We have endured high taxes, rising utility rates and crumbling infrastructure for long enough. We have rising crime rates, a drug addiction crisis and the issue of mental health.
For too long we have been misinformed, divided, angry and feel our security is jeopardized. We need to find a way to turn this around. Presently we have had essentially the same city council for the last 12 years with some minor changes. These changes were ineffective. We need new people on city council that value what everyone wants out of life.
HEALTH! SECURITY! HAPPINESS! Every individual may have different standard regarding these principles, but we all desire them.
Rather than pursuing new and expensive capital projects, we should be rebuilding what we have first, such as Boulevard Lake, Centennial Park and the LPH Greenspace. These amenities could promote a healthy environment for all. We need to utilize any old facilities we have and repurpose them to accommodate the less fortunate.
We need to establish an assertive Police Service Board that implements policy rather than rubber stamping policy by bringing in neighbourhood policing, utilizing more boots to the ground and finding better ways of crime prevention.
We need to address our ever increasing taxes with a core services review to cut wasteful spending, while maintaining services. City Council needs to establish the policy, not take dictation from administration. We need to heavily reform our by-law department to assist, rather than hinder existing and growing businesses.
The City should implement a Citizens First policy, where people vote on major projects, where people can approach the city with solutions and where people are allowed to implement progressive ideas and bring back reality to city hall.
These things will not be achieved with a complacent incumbent council. We need a change in city council, but we need a different attitude from the new people we have on city council. I would be proud to be the representative for Current River Ward and allowed the opportunity to EARN YOUR TRUST.
Andy Wolff
Candidate, Current River Ward
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