Too much spending, the state of the roads and tax increases are three top of mind issues for Ward 11 candidate Terry Kett.
In a release, Kett said the current city council has promised too much to too many people.
“This council is promising everything to everyone without showing how we can pay for it all,” Kett writes. “They want the Kingsway Event Centre: $100 million, which we need. But, they also want The Junction – an art gallery, library and performing arts centre at the present arena site. Great idea, but not feasible today at the cost of $116 million.”
The state of residential also need to addressed, Kett said, as many streets are deteriorating with no hope of repair.
“They are getting worse and worse,” he said. “Council has to find savings internally in order to put large sums of money into repairing our roads.
“Another key issue for me is the level of taxes. I realize that tax increases are inevitable; however, council has to keep in mind that an increasing amount of our citizens are on fixed incomes and that our child poverty level is 20 per cent higher than the national average. Let’s find savings from within the budget. I have some specific ideas on how to do this.”
Full text of Terry Kett's release:
THREE KEY ISSUES FOR ELECTION 2018:
Issue #1
The first issue I see today is the lack of financial priorities and planning. This council is promising everything to everyone without showing how we can pay for it all. They want the Kingsway Event Centre: $100,000,000, which we need. But, they also want the “Junction”-an art gallery, library and performing arts centre at the present arena site - great idea, but not feasible today at the cost of $116,000,000. HOW IS ALL THIS REMOTELY POSSIBLE WITHOUT A VIABLE LONG-TERM PLAN? I want council to refocus. Let’s look at what we can afford!
Issue #2
The second issue is the state of our roads. In Ward 11, we need to concentrate on the smaller, residential streets. They are getting worse and worse. Council has to find savings internally in order to put large sums of money into repairing our roads.
Issue #3
Another key issue for me is the level of taxes. I realize that tax increases are inevitable; however, council has to keep in mind that an increasing amount of our citizens are on fixed incomes and that our child poverty level is 20 per cent higher than the national average. Let’s find savings from within the budget. I have some specific ideas on how to do this.
KINGSWAY ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT:
I am in favour of the Kingsway Entertainment District.
Downtown is too small to accommodate an arena which will also be host to large concerts, conventions etc., a casino and a hotel. The Kingsway has a large amount of vacant serviced land that can accommodate future development that will result because of this large project.
Thanks to this key project, many needed jobs will be brought to our city, and our ward. This ongoing development will sustain Sudbury’s role as the capital of Northern Ontario.
