In response to Chuck Arp “If I were mayor of St. Albert” (Gazette, June 14), and (Gazette, May 24).
If I were the mayor, I would have to quit my day job so I probably won’t be the mayor. But as a city councilor …
I would reduce individual councillor wages to an amount equivalent to their annual residential property tax assessment. Should they serve on a committee or do additional work they can receive a modest per diem. Otherwise I do not see why we are paying the equivalent of the annual average salary in Canada to serve part time as a councillor or about $1,000 per councillor for each scheduled council meeting. Time to restore the concept of civic duty.
I would cease approving discretionary infrastructure work until we complete the unfinished mess we already have. Examples include half paved paths in older communities that would connect to the Red Willow Trail system or to other communities, the bridge supports to nowhere on Ray Gibbon Drive, the grass sewers and missing sidewalks along Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Sturgeon Road, etc. As we continue to grow as a community I fear we will become a community of half finished projects if we continue as we are.
I would reduce our property taxes by any means possible, as they are a hindrance to future growth. No matter if you drive south to Leduc, west to Spruce Grove or east to Sherwood Park, you see massive commercial growth in these communities. St. Albert has become a land of last resort for commercial and business growth due to high taxes. I think the other day in Sherwood Park I counted some seven new hotels. Meanwhile we are talking about maybe one new one in St Albert. I would also find ways to develop vacant lots to grow our tax base as we have a multitude of undeveloped green pastures in various communities.
I would deal with traffic delays and volumes. There is no reason why during low traffic times we cannot have flashing light intersections that automatically kick in. If we continue to put up new lights at every street corner and a new crosswalk in between every set of lights we will continue to have vehicles idling and pedestrians dodging vehicles racing to get through the next light. Volume-wise we need to look at completing things like joining Kingswood to Campbell Road to reduce volume on Poirier Avenue and add another connection between St. Albert Trail and Bellerose Drive to get the through traffic out of Erin Ridge.
I would also like to get rid of photo radar, pave outdoor rinks so they can be used for roller hockey, basketball or box lacrosse during the summer and look at creating affordable housing through allowing different mixes of houses, reviewing land use regulations and the city leading some land development similar to Red Deer.
Dave Cunningham, St. Albert
