EDMONTON – Edmontonians will be heading to the polls in just three days to elect a new mayor for Alberta’s capital. So this week, Global Edmonton interviewed the top three contenders for the position on our Morning News, where they looked back at their campaigns which are entering the home stretch, and discussed their vision for the future of our city.
On Friday’s Global Edmonton Morning News, Iveson spoke about some of his key focuses, the most basic of which he considers to be improving roads and drainage infrastructure.
“If those aren’t in good shape…then people will be upset with us, and so they should be. So we’ve got a lot of catching up to do on the roads after many, many years of neglect,” he said. Iveson added that this year’s many construction projects are a start, but people should be prepared for even more next year as the City works to catch up.
Iveson also shared his thoughts on borrowing, his approach to property taxes, and leadership style.
He plans on spending this final weekend before election day doing a lot of door-knocking, which his nearly 1,000 volunteers have been helping him throughout the campaign.
“I am looking forward to it because it’s one of my favourite parts of the campaign,” Iveson said. “We are connecting with Edmontonians, talking about issues and solutions that resonate with them, and we are seeing multiple points of feedback confirming that that’s working.”
Leibovici highlighted the experience she brings to the table when she appeared on Global Edmonton’s Friday Morning News.
“This election is very important in that when we are moving into a position with a 50 per cent turnover on Council, new Mayor, the experience and leadership that I have is what (Edmontonians) are looking for.”
She also said that she was known as the “fiscal hawk” on Council.
“But I’m also known to be balanced, to be reasonable and also to understand what the responsibility is with regards to some of our social issues.”
Leibovici pointed to the various endorsements she’s received from leaders in political, business, and community spheres; saying she has the ability to bring people together, and forge partnerships with the different branches of government, as well as surrounding municipalities.
In regards to the city’s many projects that are approved on paper, she stressed that in order to build for the city’s future, we need to keep a “foot on the gas pedal, and a steady hand of the wheel.”
“It’s time we get the shovel in the ground and we start to move ahead…if we second-guess ourselves, then we lose our momentum. I haven’t heard anyone in our city say they want to go back in time.”
When he appeared on the Global’s Morning News earlier this week, Diotte drove home his message about improving the Edmonton’s roads, as well as reducing taxes and the city’s debt.
“Those are the issues, and I believe we own those,” he said.
Diotte added that the economic situation in the U.S. should be a wake-up call, mentioning his earlier Diotte or Detroit slogan which generated some controversy.
“A lot of people didn’t realize that we’re fast approaching $3 billion in debt, and I think we’ve got to be concerned.”
He also spoke about his thoughts on not raising property taxes beyond the rate of inflation, and prioritizing projects based on wants versus needs.
“We’ve got some real needs. We don’t have money for LRT, yet somehow we’ve got money to give to a billionaire for an arena. I’m the only councillor who consistently voted against that because it’s a bad financial deal. My other two opponents voted for that. And if people want..more of that thinking, they’re quite free to vote for my opponents,” Diotte said.
You can read some more highlights of the Edmonton mayoral candidates’ platforms here.
For complete election coverage, visit our special Decision Edmonton 2013 site.
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