Candidate Surveys – Ward 14
Responses are presented in alphabetical order by candidate last name and include all responses received as of Oct 5, 2010. We will continue to upload additional responses as time allows.
Kao, Shawn
1. Do you support a long-term lease for Race City as a track and advanced driving facility in Calgary?
I support a long-term lease for Race City as long as it makes financial sense for the City. I would not support heavily subsidizing the facility. I understand the benefits to the City in regards to getting street racers off the street and giving racing fans a place to enjoy their pat, but a business should stand on its own. In this regard, it would be similar to the Flames building a new private arena. The City could help with various infrastructure items such as upgrading road access, transit routes and even some tax breaks, but the funding of the facility would be private. I understand that Race City is currently extended until 2015 at its current location so someone should be looking at this now so it doesn’t become a rushed decision later.
2. Does the City have a responsibility to play a role in preserving heritage sites? If so, what role?
Yes, the City has a role to play in preserving heritage sites. At its most basic level, since re-development requires development permits and these applications come through the City, the City has an opportunity to make its voice heard. Obviously, there would have to be consultation with citizens, groups & communities to determine specific criteria and feasibility in terms of costs, but the City has its role in it all.
3. What strategies do you have to create more pedestrian and bicycle oriented infrastructure?
I love the idea of complete communities and that includes pedestrian and bike oriented infrastructure. If we can create viable alternatives such as upgrading and/or expanding the existing pathway system, Calgarians may be more willing to explore other avenues of transportation. Currently, we are a “car society” and I think that be the primary mode of transportation for years to come but if the City can provide other options, at least people have a choice.
4. Do you support urban farming, including urban chickens?
I support the idea of urban farming… even to the extent of potentially using “unused City land” as municipal urban farms (I think this is Paul Hughes’ idea) that could help people living in poverty either by donating the food or donating the financial proceeds. I am not a fan of urban chickens. I just don’t see the need for it in residential neighbourhoods. Sorry Paul!
5. What have you done to address homelessness and urban poverty in Calgary? What will you do?
Well, admittedly, I had an average understanding about the topic. I attended the Poverty Talks! forum and the Street Tours of the Night event to educate myself. I believe that Calgary is a city that cares and I would be willing to push an agenda in City Council that works to improve life for Calgarians living in poverty. Many ideas spring to mind, such as secondary suites into all single family zoning, municipal urban farms as in #4, using Craig Burrows’ smart card technology idea to make things easier for low income citizens… ie. using the card for City services, discounts applied without person having to pull out their tax return every single time. Also, creation of City-run or City-partnered charity arm that seeks to create a brand that Calgarians can identify with and channel funds, social programs, etc. with corporate and citizen sponsorship. So many different areas to look at.
6. Is urban sprawl a problem for Calgary? If so, what have you done? What will you do about it?
Urban sprawl is an issue. However, I think people who try to say that Toronto and Vancouver are anti-sprawl utopias have never driven from Toronto to Hamilton or from West Van to Langley. That is all sprawl too… don’t kid yourself. I believe that the City and industry must work together to find the best solutions. We want to provide Calgarians and newcomers with affordable housing options but we also need to consider the cost of infrastructure going forward and that is the balance that must be achieved.
7. How will you make developers of new subdivisions pay the full, life-cycle costs of their projects?
I think developers realize that with their infrastructure deal with the City expiring soon and with the City infrastructure debt growing to $1.5 billion that something has to give. Thus, what will the solution be? An initial figure of $10,000 per new home has been thrown out there. Developers say they have potential solutions too. Let’s get everyone together to see what makes sense. We want to get this right. As shown by the oil & gas royalties provincial issue we can all see what happens when government gets it wrong or times it badly.
8. Would you extend the city’s recycling plan to include apartment buildings and/or organics?
Yes, I would want to expand to apartment buildings and organics. We can greatly reduce the amount of material going to landfills. I know it’s hard for Calgarians to admit, but Edmonton is light years ahead of us in this regard. We need to figure out how to catch up to them.
9. What will you do to help the province and city work together on the current SE Ring Road plan?
Well I would love to bring more public attention to this issue. It is hugely important to Ward 14 especially considering that there are no plans to do anything with the 22X bridge over Macleod Trail. Currently, it’s a bad bottleneck. In the future with even more traffic feeding it, you will have cars cutting through Sun Valley Blvd to avoid it. Not desirable and also dangerous as there are many young children and schools in the immediate area. I would look to host a multi-community open house with the Minister Ouellette, local MLAs and local Aldermen so they can hear directly from the constituents.
10. Do you support legalization of secondary suits in all existing neighbourhoods?
Yes, I would support it. The details would have to be finalized, but as long as it is not a dangerous situation and there is ample parking, I would support it. I have heard that Red Deer implemented this years ago with a 15% cap and there are no communities in Red Deer that are even close to the cap. Thus, NIMBY fears are most likely misguided. Also the public seems to be quite open to the idea. Would even help older folks on fixed incomes by subsidizing their property taxes.
