Ward 11 candidate John Lindsay has released his platform, highlighting his concerns about tax increase and legacy projects proposed for the city's downtown.
Lindsay has made it no secret that he is an opponent of the Kingsway Entertainment District which would be located in the ward 11, adding that the proposed 3,000 - 7,000 parking spaces for the entertainment district will have adverse affects on Ramsey Lake.
"The proposed 3,000 to 7,000 parking spaces in the Kingsway Entertainment District will add tons of additional salt to the Watershed and Ramsey Lake, already at above safe sodium levels for those on salt-restricted diets and chloride levels are approaching dangerously high levels for aquatic life," said Lindsay in a news release.
"There is no economical method to remove salt - prevention is the only solution."
Lindsay is also concerned about tax increases over the past four years of the current council and is skeptical of high priced legacy projects proposed for the downtown and if more gaming is to be allowed in the city it should be at the slots located in Chelmsford.
Full text of John Lindsay's platform release can be found below:
Unlike other candidates in Ward 11, I am an opponent of the so-called Kingsway Entertainment District which would be located in the Ward. I am also concerned about tax increases more than double the rate of inflation over the past four years of the current council and sceptical of high priced legacy projects proposed for the downtown and if more gaming is to be allowed in the city it should be at the slots located in Chelmsford.
A large portion of the North and Eastern Shores of Ramsey Lake is in Ward 11 including Moonlight Beach. The lake, a source of drinking water and recreation for thousands, is threatened by increased salt pollution from roadways and parking lots. The proposed three to seven thousand parking spaces in the Kingsway Entertainment District will add tons of additional salt to the Watershed and Ramsey Lake, already at above safe sodium levels for those on salt-restricted diets and chloride levels are approaching dangerously high levels for aquatic life.
There is no economical method to remove salt - prevention is the only solution.
Traffic, already heavy on our streets and roadways in the area will, with the creation of the Kingsway Entertainment District, become more congested as the City Transportation Department stated in a staff report. We face the prospect of having congestion similar to that in the south end of the city if this project goes ahead, something to be avoided.
It is well recognized that our city will not likely grow for the foreseeable future regardless of how much we would like to see this happen. However, property taxes continue to increase. During the past four years taxes rose 12.6 % - user fees by 14% - the city operating budget by 12%, - city salaries and benefits by 10% while inflation over this period was just 5.91%.
Property Taxes are predicted to increase by around 3.5 % per year even without the added percentages required for the proposed new arena and Arts Junction. These increases at more than twice the rate of inflation need to be addressed by our new council in order that we can be a community where citizens can afford to live, especially those on low and fixed income.
My position remains clear: If there is to be additional gaming it should take place in Chelmsford at the present location of the slots, and requests made for the return of horse racing such as at 15 other locations in Ontario. We should, if required, enhance our present Arena at minimum cost.
As for the proposed Arts Junction, we should maintain our present downtown library and convert one floor of the Art Gallery in the Bell Mansion to a museum and tourist attraction. We do not need additional convention facilities as we already have adequate venues throughout the city.
We need to take seriously fiscal management and determine what our real needs are and not just expensive and unnecessary wants. We cannot continue to increase city staffing levels while productivity declines.
We have a beautiful and vibrant community and need to keep it that way in the most economical manner possible. I plan to donate my councillor pay to the Sudbury Community Foundation to be distributed to local charities.
For more information visit my election website www.johnlindsay.ca.
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