London Free Press Survey Answers
Hello once again, please find below the answers to the questionnaire provided by the London Free Press:
Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?
Unfortunately at this point in time I just don’t think it’s realistic. We do need to keep taxes down, but coming off a recession, we also have to be able to provide the essential services that London needs to get us on track and maximize prosperity. Tax dollars can help us reinvest in our communities and get people back to work.
Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?
It has been personally difficult to watch our city fail to reach its potential. There has been stagnation within the city, and fresh approaches and new ideas are needed to move us forward.
What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
No doubt, it has to be economic recovery. We need to encourage sustainable sectors of industry and employment to come to London so that we can get hardworking people back on their feet.
Ward 14 is one of the largest geographically in the city, and as such has a vast array of issues throughout. These range from maintaining environmental amenities like Meadowlilly woods and Westminster ponds, to an English Speaking public school in Summerside, as well as how the Ward can be at the forefront of London’s economic recovery, through locations such as innovation park.
I definetly agree with your stance on property taxes. Being from Toronto I’ve already had George Smitherman claim he will freeze property taxes for one year.
People may think this is a good idea because their property taxes won’t increase for one year but what they don’t realize is money has to come from somewhere in order for a city to keep providing all it’s services. Last year Toronto was barely able to balance their budget. By freezing property taxes for one year, George is hoping that people will think short term and vote for him. What he doesn’t tell people is that in the long term it will be disastrous for our city since rates will have to increase in 2011 to catch up with our growing budget.