Priorities

what is important

Fiscal Responsibility

We entrust our taxes to the city, and expect Alderman to make common sense decisions so that we know our money will be spent prudently and efficiently. I will bring my fiscal conservative attitude to City Council.  You as Calgarian’s must be smart with your money, and so to should the City. Plan for the future, but live within our means will be my mantra at City Hall.

I will…

• Seek a new balance with the province in regards to the amount of property taxes collected.
• Make sure the city does an annual internal audit to stop wasteful spending in all its departments.
• Reduce unnecessary red tape and duplication that hinder small business growth.
• Introduce a monetary incentive program to reward public servants who come up with practical ideas that lead to measurable savings.
• Make sure that large city contracts go through a rigorous review process so as to not allow awarding of contracts without competition (unless justified), in an effort to stop wasteful spending.
• Only promote policies that meet a strict criteria of 1) accountability to the taxpayers, 2) transparency of the process in which the contract/funding was awarded, and most importantly 3) that any funding meets an efficient cost/benefit analysis.

Fiscal responsibility requires strong democratic accountability in order to be effective:

I will…

• Advocate for the introduction of a Hansard style document and recording of all council and committee meetings.
• Introduce protection for whistleblowers at City Hall.
• Consult with residents of Ward 4 on public policy issues together with the Mayor on a more regular basis.

Safer Community

As a long serving police officer making sure that law and order are maintained and strengthened has always been a priority of mine. Calgarians’ should be able to feel free from the fear of crime, and know that their communities are safe. This is a key component of why I am running for Alderman. Calgarian’s deserve to have a safe community to live, work and play in.

Traffic

I will…

• Push for the completion of the ring road – a ring road that includes the SW.
• Support the construction of the Airport tunnel.
• I will remove the LRT parking fee.
• Review the traffic light timing system, and will advocate for more turn signals and more over passes to increase traffic flow.
• Support the West expansion of the LRT, and future LRT expansions.
• Support a feasibility study of creating parkades at LRT locations.
• Review the city’s snow removal policy.

Crime

I will…

• Support more funding for the Calgary Police Service to allow more Police Officers to be on the ground and in our communities.
• Support more funding for the Calgary Fire Department, and will push for more funding from the province for ambulance services.
• Advocate for better coordination and communication between City Police and EMS.
• Advocate for night walks, that requires community participation.

Strong and Vibrant Economy

Calgary is successful and prosperous because of the entrepreneurial spirit that has always resonated in the West. My goal is to make sure that the city listens more to the changing needs of local businesses by applying a common sense approach to all regulation, so that it does not provide a disincentive, to either individual workers, investors, or those who are innovative and productive.

I will…

• Lower business taxes.
• Contract out more city services to reduce overhead.
• Support more trade missions in order to increase business opportunities for Calgarian’s, but also in an effort to recruit companies to make Calgary home to their head office.
• Reduce parking rates downtown, and extend free parking to Saturday’s.