Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Oct 04/00) -Yellowknife residents go to the polls Oct. 16 to vote for town councillors and a mayor. News/North asked the mayorality candidates:
- When city revenues fall, which should come first -- spending cuts or tax hikes?
- Should the city continue to be involved in real estate projects?
- The city has spent millions to spruce up downtown and has recently begun a consultation process on doing more. What area of town should have highest priority for development?
- What should be done to develop Yellowknife's waterfront?
- When should city matters be taken behind closed doors?
Cheryl Best
1. The obvious answer is CUT spending. I have always and religiously been against tax hikes. The real question is 'where can we become more efficient?' I refuse to cut services.
2. If the City doesn't start supporting private development soon we will have no choice. Development means a healthier economy, wider tax base, lower cost of living and better municipal services.
3. Yellowknife needs to look seriously at tourism as an industry. One of our biggest assets is the waterfront. Let's make it 'tourist friendly'. Preferably private business will do the development!
4. I like the idea of a mini 'Granville Island with gift shops and boardwalks, but private development will have to set the tone. Let the waterfront develop as market demands.
5. This council fought hard to keep public matters public. The only acceptable reasons to go 'in camera' are for issues pertaining to legal, land and personnel matters.
Bob Brooks
1. Months ago I found $135,000 within our Public Works operations for a tax decrease. The new council will now get a chance to approve it. Spending cuts should come first.
2. The city's role is to plan and set aside required land. Let developers develop! We can also attach ourselves to federal infrastructure programs to help reduce the cost of development.
3. There's two development processes ongoing; the Waterfront and Downtown. Niven Lake and Kam Lake areas also need attention. Developing the Waterfront will also enhance our tourism potential.
4. Ensure that the consultation process includes all stakeholders, the Yellowknives Dene and developers to come up with a 'community' vision. Then include an implementation plan to implement that vision.
5. Personnel matters and negotiations, land matters and negotiations, and legal matters and negotiations.
Dave Lovell
1. School taxes are 41 per cent of the residential total. A one per cent tax hike costs $1.50 per month on a $3,000 yearly tax bill. Maintaining quality of life is worth this increase.
2. In a perfect world, no. However, with high investment and long payback periods, investors won't get involved without guarantees or subsidies. City involvement, direct or indirect, is necessary.
3. The downtown, closely followed by Kam Lake, requires upgrades. Areas such as Finlayson Drive and Wiley Road must be brought back to city standards. Sewer and water replacement must continue.
4. A waterfront redevelopment scheme which involved extensive public consultation is in its final development stages. This big picture, long term plan should be modified if necessary, then implemented and followed.
5. Personnel matters, contract negotiations, land negotiations, legal matters and advice from city legal counsel, information provided in confidence, and information which would unfairly damage individuals and groups should be confidential.
Gord Van Tighem
1. We should use the new contingency fund as a buffer while implementing 'preplanned' spending cuts to refill that pool while identifying creative new revenue sources.
2. No. In the short-term the city must focus on extracting itself from present involvements. In the longer term it should serve as a catalyst for appropriate private sector development.
3. All areas of it. Past development has been piece-meal. We need to develop an integrated development plan with input from all residents determining priorities, nature, timing and appropriate budgets.
4. See the preceding answer. We need to look at the entire picture -- develop and integrate plan quickly and act.
5. Personnel matters potentially affecting the reputations of individuals such as performance issues.
