Mayoral candidate Bill Sanders has released his election platform that he describes as a no nonsense plan that focuses on needs over wants.
Sanders has pledged that if elected, no legacy projects such as a new arena, performing arts centre, and art gallery will be built with public money.
In his platform, Sanders highlights four key areas: economic diversity, environment, culture, transparency and inclusivity.
"I love this city and feel that I am the person to lead us back to reality. A city that serves its people needs to be dynamic, responsible, progressive, diverse and above all transparent," said Sanders in a news release.
Full text of Bill Sanders' platform can be found below:
I want to provide the voters of Sudbury with a clear, concise, simple message. No fluff. No stuff we cannot afford and no guff about the other candidates who believe along with me that they are truly the right person for the job.
I want everyone to understand that my sense of humor is not an indication that I take this job lightly. I love this city and feel that I am the person to lead us back to reality. A city that serves its people needs to be dynamic, responsible, progressive, diverse and above all transparent.
Economic Diversity
While maintaining our strong economic heritage with the mining sector,
- We need look to the future. Understand and promote our geographical power in this country and use it to attract the shipping industry to Sudbury.
- We need to invest in the film industry in paving the way for large film studios to build in Sudbury. The old arena just can’t do the job.
- We need to leverage our post-secondary institutions to attract a technology sector that can service a multitude of industries. The Cliff Fielding Innovation and Research Centre at Laurentian University is a fantastic start.
- Consult with the elders and experts in our First Nations and metis communities and explore ways and ideas and projects that would be mutually beneficial and not exploitive.
Environment
While recognizing dramatic shifts in climate change,
- We need protect our watershed and develop land in a responsible and sustainable manner.
- We need to grow and adapt to a new green economy.
- We need to explore and support sustainable renewable energy alternatives.
- We need everyone involved in this process. The entire community has to come together for the sake of our future.
Culture
Sudbury celebrates its cultural diversity like no other. We have a proud heritage rooted in the very rock that produced so many livelihoods. In order to maintain and nurture this cultural diversity,
- We need to focus on downtown Sudbury as the Entertainment District of the North
- Continue to support our great sporting teams and events
- Celebrate the diversity of our culture, heritage and character
Transparency and Inclusivity
The key to a successful city is its transparency and its ability to include everyone in its decision-making. To that end,
- We need to listen to the people, the experts the consultants and act on that advice.
- We need to look at problems with a positive nature in order to find solutions.
- We need to create a culture that sees information not as the power to control, but as an invitation to get involved
As you can see my platform deals with needs. In truth we cannot afford the wants. To that end I pledge that no legacy projects will be built with public money. If an arena is built its built with private money and the city will support that project 100 per cent.
The same goes for a performing arts center and art gallery. Projects of this magnitude can be realized with corporate sponsorship and alternative streams of revenue. Truthfully its ridiculous to even consider an arts complex without alternative streams of revenue.
Lets design and build centres that are financially stable and are never a burden on the taxpayers. Those buildings are the only ones worth consideration.
Lets be responsible with our money and invest in the roads and infrastructure first. Create new economic opportunities, expand our tax base and one day soon head downtown to listen to a symphony or catch a show.
