Candidate Surveys – Ward 9

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.

Nixon, Jeremy

1. Do you support a long-term lease for Race City as a track and advanced driving facility in Calgary?

I would support a long term lease for Race City and advanced driving facility. Race City has become a key place for 1000s of Calgarians to recreate and build community. It also keeps our streets safe by providing an opportunity for street racing in a controlled environment. The cost for Race City to move and replace infrastructure would be too great, and it would cause us to lose this valuable asset in our city.

2. Does the City have a responsibility to play a role in preserving heritage sites? If so, what role?

I believe the city does have a responsibility to the preservation of our heritage sites. These sites give character to our community and act as a symbol of where we have come from. They also allow for us to teach our children and support our tourist industry.

The city should be responsible to work alongside with Communities to designate heritage buildings, and then work developers to make sure that the site is preserved. The regulations must balance what is best for the building, while not hindering investment in these important sites.

3. What strategies do you have to create more pedestrian and bicycle oriented infrastructure?

We need to consider the users and make sure that we are making bicycle infrastructure that is practical and convenient. I cycled in this city for years and found bike paths to be very swervy and disconnected. Straight paths that run alongside major road ways will make cycling a more legitimate choice of transportation. Better driver and cyclist education will help create a better understanding. Even road lines provide at the very least a boundary of awareness.

4. Do you support urban farming, including urban chickens?

We can have 17 cats living in one house and a dog that barks at all hours but for some reason draw the line on chickens. I personally do not understand why we did not pilot this project. I would support an urban chicken pilot project.

5. What have you done to address homelessness and urban poverty in Calgary? What will you do?

I have dedicated my career to helping our city’s less fortunate. I started working one on one with people helping to establish goals for overcoming obstacles and walking along side them as they took hold of their lives.  Gradually I worked my way up to take on a number of leadership roles including Program Manager, Essential Services Manager and most recently Manager of over 11,000 volunteers. My job has been about helping all Calgarians find ways to help those in need in their community and creating awareness.

On council I will use this experience to partner with our not-for-profits and communities to find solutions that work. Housing affordability is crucial but only part of the solution. We need to build stronger communities that give everyone a chance to belong and succeed. We also need to partner with the province to provide appropriate support for people who struggle with health concerns.

6. Is urban sprawl a problem for Calgary? If so, what have you done? What will you do about it?

I believe city growth has caused a strain on infrastructure costs. We have grown fast and it has cost a lot to try and keep up. I believe we need to insure Calgarian’s have a variety and a choice in regards to where they live. I also think we need to protect affordability by not limiting supply. I have seen great new communities like Quarry Park that provide a mixed use and a variety in density. I will work to establish a positive relationship with the people who build our city and work to provide products that are marketable and affordable to Calgarians. There are many innovative ideas for growth that will help manage costs, we need to be open minded.

7. How will you make developers of new subdivisions pay the full, life-cycle costs of their projects?

I don’t think it is about making developers pay the full, life-cycle costs of projects. I think it is important to put the costs where they are due as there is a cost to choice. That said, I think there are ways we can develop new communities with slightly higher densities, mixed use and through innovative thinking that will provide fiscally sustainable community development. We need to work with developers to find financing solutions that allow for sustainable growth and to keep our city competitive in attracting business.

8. Would you extend the city’s recycling plan to include apartment buildings and/or organics?

At this time I would be hesitant to extend the city’s recycling plan to include all apartment buildings and/or organics. In some cases it absolutely makes sense. However, Considering a 60 million dollar budget shortfall and tax increases we need to consider the many Calgarians on fixed incomes and barely able to get by. We need to protect affordability.

I take more of a green party stance. I think a focus needs to be on helping create a culture shift. This is not forced but changed through understanding. I see our blue bins as a band-aid solution that does not address the fundamental concerns. Reduce-Reuse then Recycle. By giving every one blue bins we do not encourage Reduce and Reuse which are the Rs that will make the biggest difference. We also do not allow flexibility for the diversity of the user. I think we need to increase the sense of responsibility in Calgarians for their environment, this responsibility will ultimately lead to true change.

9. What will you do to help the province and city work together on the current SE Ring Road plan?

Transportation and smooth flow is vitally important to the City. Communication between the different levels of government is vitally important too. I’ve had the chance to meet, work, and volunteer with all three levels of government. I believe that all want the same basic thing at the end of the day – a better Calgary. To do that, we must work together, find solutions, and do what’s best for Calgary. Arguing and pointing fingers does little to solve the problem.

10. Do you support legalization of secondary suits in all existing neighbourhoods?

Yes, I support the legalization of secondary suits. There are countless illegal suits in the community that the city is unable to monitor. This is a great way to increase density, increase affordable housing, as well as increase city revenue through taxing these suits. These sweets need to be safe, and we also need to insure appropriate levels of parking are available.