Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 12, 2005, Winnipeg, Manitoba The free press surveyed All eight candidates running in the april 14 election to fill St. Norbertus vacant Council seat. Their responses have been running two per Day and will conclude tomorrow. 1. The City is facing at least a $ 16 million shortfall next year Money from the new Deal for cities has been slow in coming and theress a $ 2 billion infrastructure deficit. How would you balance the Cit yes budget next year Robert Page in order to balance Winnipeg Gas budget Council must examine its bureaucracy to see where efficiencies May be found. So too with City workers but efficiencies not contracting out is a preferred solution. Since canadians Are now almost entirely an Urban people councils must continue to require More funding from what Are currently called senior Levels of government. If the nation lives in and around cities cities must have the funding they need. Rick Thiessen business principles dictate that if you have a shortfall you have two choices increase revenues or reduce costs. Upon being elected and based on my 25 years of business experience i would review All the data alongside my fellow councillors and provide my input to Council to help prioritize our spending and find ways to reduce costs without jeopardizing our essential services such As Community centres and housing. 2. What kind of suburb would you like to see built in Waverley West Robert Page Waverley West should provide a Range of affordable housing with mixed densities in a neighbourhood that emphasizes walking playing. We need subdivisions designed for people not cars. Include Parks. Corner stores shops could reduce the need to drive for everything one needs. While i support a creative Waverley West i also support downtown in fill housing and Home renovation projects. Winnipeg needs both. Rick Thiessen i think the subdivision must be planned to ensure a Safe clean environment with adequate planning toward the movement of people in and out of this Community As Well As through existing communities. Thought should be Given to the placement and design of recreation and other Public use facilities. The suburb should provide for All Levels of housing so citizens of All incomes May enjoy a new neighbourhood. The Community should be a legacy to future generations. 3. Mayor Sam Katz says he is committed to some form of rapid transit and a task Force is now pondering options. What is your vision for the Cit yes transit system Robert Page today using existing buses make service More user Friendly. Currently it takes too Long to get to St. Vital shopping Centre. St. Norbert sunday service ends at 9 30 p. M. Too Early. Hold the line on bus fares improve service and advertise effectively. For tomorrow encourage mayor Sam Katz to visit Adelaide Australia to experience bus rapid transit that works. The people of St. Norbert would Benefit from Brt. Light rail transit could work for other parts of the City. Rick Thiessen for my 25 years of working in the Winnipeg convention Centre doing events Only once has there been bus service to the door. I think there is room for Many improvements in the transit system rapid or otherwise. I would look seriously at ways to lower the rates to make it More inviting for Winnipeg citizens to Park their cars and ride a bus. 4. What Are the challenges if any facing Community centres in St. Norbert and what would you do to address those Robert Page Community centres in St. Norbert need ongoing support. Margaret Grant Pool should not be closed. It just had a million Dollar refit and is a Fine Community Pool. In River Park South a Community Library should be considered part of a new Centre common Astaire Sud St. Vital. Rick Thiessen our Community centres Are faced with Many challenges right now. They suffer from aging infrastructure limited finances insufficient funding old catchment boundaries. I think the entire system is in need of some restructuring and i am working hard to help rebuild the system to a Standard that would take us through the 21st Century without taking the Community out of centres. B4 City / District w Winnipeg f ree p Resst tuesday pril 12, 2005 St. Vital Centre Winnipeg Polo Park Winnipeg stores you can also find fido at participating retail locations in the greater Winnipeg area unlimited incoming local Calls any time unlimited incoming instant picture and text messages any time 100 weekday minutes 1,000 evening and weekend minutes get this package free for 3 months plus a Choice of free handsets listen up you cant beat our unlimited incoming Calls package Call 1 888 945 fido 3436 or shop fido. 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N Orbert supplied photo Thiessen review All data supplied photo Page examine bureaucracy ;