Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 23, 2004, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg free press Winnipeg votes wednesday june 23, 2004 a4 Sam continued from Page a1 he credited his two year old daughter Ava with his decision to run for mayor. I want her and All the Young people of Winnipeg to have the same opportunities As i had growing up he said. As i said in the beginning my purpose was to make sure our future our youth stayed in the City because they believed there were the election called hastily last month when then mayor Glen Murray resigned to run for the Federal liberals in Charleswood St. James was largely about Mur rays vision for Winnipeg. Katz promised during the Campaign he would bring a new vision to City Hall freeze property taxes eliminate the business tax and consider scrapping rapid transit and parts of Murray a newer Deal for the City. It wont be business As usual at City Hall Katz said. Katz with 99,015 votes easily bested Vandal who earned 55,644 votes. Former St. Vital councillor Al Golden finished a weak third with 34,562 votes followed by Mihaychuk with 23,412 and Steek at 16,497. Voter turnout was a Surprise last night. At exactly 58.77 per cent it was far higher than expected and the second highest in percentage terms in Winnipeg a history. Originally chief returning officer Richard Kachur feared turnout would be weak because the civic election would be overshadowed by the Federal race. The crush of people at the polls caused Long Waits reportedly up to 90 minutes at some voting stations. Some voters were also confused expect ing to cast ballots in the Federal election. Some in Winnipeg a West end also failed to realize they needed to cast a ballot in a provincial by election which Naper Andrew Swan won. A stunned looking Vandal appeared unexpectedly at Katz a Victory party gave Katz a hug and addressed the crowd. I just wanted to say this was a Heck of a race. I gave it everything i had and obviously it want enough he said. I know the City will be Well served by mayor Sam Vandal was seen As the Champion of Murray a program which included Large scale building projects such As rapid transit a new Deal for cities and healthy arts and culture funding. Katz tried hard in debates and in his Campaign advertising to set himself apart from the other candidates most of whom were career politicians. I entered this race because i want to give Back to the City that has been so Good to me and my family. I entered this race because i believe its time for a fresh approach and new ideas at City Hall he said. Earlier at his Campaign office on Provencher Boulevard Vandal keeping a stiff upper lip was met with a huge cheer from about 50 supporters. Vandal said Mihaychuk stole some of his votes a look at Sam Katz a Campaign promises Here Are Sam Katz a Campaign promises. Increase spending which would be offset by cuts in the consulting budget and savings achieved through competitive service delivery in areas such As garbage collection. Lobby the province to eliminate the provincial education support Levy while phasing out the business tax starting in the City score. Give homeowners a 50 per cent Cut in City property taxes for five years if they build a new Home in an older neighbourhood. No tax hike for 10 years for homeowners who renovate Homes 25 years and older valued under $175,000. Build on current efforts to fast track permits making the City department a self financing Agency. Give store owners and residents More control Over parking on their streets in neighbourhoods where its hard to find a spot. Free transit for seniors from 9 . To 4 30 . . Expanded free services for All riders in tourist areas. . Spend $2.8 million on promoting the film Industry. . Boost policing and Community patrols at a Cost of $2.6 million. and he had to counted on Steek a and Golden a campaigns collapsing. I expected them to be very Strong and try to split that right Wing vote said Vandal. That clearly was a major Force the election also adds two new faces to Council ? Murray a former press Secretary Donald Ben Ham in River Heights and former St. Boniface hotel owner Franco Magnifico in St. Boniface. Both took their Ridings by respectable margins. Katz a win suggests his huge name recognition trumped his late entry into the race and a plat form that Many critics labelled As Short on details and Long on platitudes. But Katz worked hard to overcome the criticism by releasing a More detailed plan with a Cost analysis. Katz has promised to freeze property taxes phase out the business tax starting in the City s Core and make transit free for seniors during the Day. He is also promising property tax Breaks for people who build a new Home in an older neighbourhood or renovate an older Home Worth less than $175,000. He has also pledged to spend millions to pro Mote the film Industry and to boost policing and Community patrols. University of Manitoba social work professor Sid Frankel a member of the social planning Council of Winnipeg said part of the Katz plat form raised alarm Bells. We re concerned about some of the efficiencies he says he can find in a City that already has Low spending on social issues Frankel said. On Vandal congratulates Katz at new mayors Winnipeg convention Centre Celebration last night. His approach to safety he stalking All on the stick Side and not doing anything to Deal with the Root Katz a plan to boost inner City housing Stock is really tailor made to go to Middle and upper income earners rather than Low income people living in poverty he said. Premier Gary doer congratulated Katz on his Victory last night saying the people have spoken and the people Are never Katz May not have a lot of political experience but has worked with All Levels of government on various projects including his Ball Park. Doer said he looks Forward to working with the new mayor. I have dealt with him a lot and he a got some really Good ideas doer said. Coun. Bill Clement councils budget Boss said the City picked the right Man for the Job. I think Sam Katz is on the right. He a a free Enterprise Guy like i am but i also know he has a social conscience said Clement who was at Katz a Victory party. He a not the kind of Guy who forgets his roots. Hell be a Good mayor and ill be Happy working with aboriginal activists were mourning vandals loss yesterday. He would have been the City a first Metis mayor and was an unabashed Booster of aboriginal issues. You be lost Murray and you be lost Vandal who were a tremendous network into the aboriginal Community said Bill Shead chairman of the aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg. Its very sad to lose a Man of vandals dedication and commit ment to the City ? he really reached out to the aboriginal Katz who knows Little about How City Hall functions has the summer to get his bearings meet with senior administrative staff and appoint an inner Circle of councillors to his executive policy committee. After that some looming issues such As garbage user fees the newer Deal and the Fate of dozens of rec centres and Arenas will dominate his time. ? with files from Patti Edgar Jason Bell David Obrien Aldo Santin Carol Sanders and Paul Egan ;