Burlington’s 2018 election race already underway
Mayor Rick Goldring has announced that he’s seeking a third term
Last week Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring announced that he’s seeking a third term. His early announcement gives would-be challengers time to decide whether to run. None can raise funds yet, but pre-planning is essential.
It’s been widely rumoured that former councillor, former MP, Mike Wallace wants to run. And Councillor Marianne Meed Ward has long eyed the mayor’s chair. Are there others?
Before the race starts, let’s look at these three. Goldring is very decent. What you see is what you get. Straight as an arrow, and thoughtful. Not a phoney glad-hander as some politicians can be.
Mike Wallace has experience, but faces an uphill fight for having twice sought a federal seat while on council. In my books, running for council is a four-year contract (but it’s legal to run for higher office). You don’t even have to forego the council salary — over $103,000 today). But you don’t run with the agenda “By the way, when a provincial or federal nomination is held, I’ll be running. If I lose, you get me back, but if I win, I’m outta here”.
Wallace promoted a seven-member council size in 1997 when regional seats were redistributed. Burlington went from 17 to seven members — the smallest council in Halton Region. Seven puts too much power in the hands of staff.
Marianne Meed Ward has a sharp mind and a lot to offer, but is disliked by many colleagues, and a mayor needs council support. For that reason she’d likely be ineffective. And I don’t like councillors campaigning for other candidates during an election, as she did for school trustee Leah Reynolds in 2014.
Last week’s Calgary election pitted Mayor Naheed Nenshi (winner by a slim margin) against NHL commissioner, bully Gary Bettman, and wealthy owners of the Calgary Flames. They want a new arena and other goodies, and expect Calgary taxpayers to foot a large share of the cost, so they publicly supported Nenshi’s opponent. Nenshi said Calgary would contribute, but the dispute is about how much. Sports groups often overpromise, and under-deliver on the benefits to cities. At least Burlington doesn’t have that problem!
Its ballot question will be what residents see as overintensification. Neighbourhood after neighbourhood fights extra tall, extra dense development, and often believes concerns fall on deaf ears. Redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel is an example where the preferred concept (not the public’s preference) is two buildings, 14 to 18 storeys, and 20 to 25. A Tyandaga area developer proposes 233 jammed-in townhouses where singles and semis are allowed. And a proposed 27storey project across from City Hall will be considered Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
The downtown mobility hub draft plan would exacerbate Lakeshore traffic jams, with no resolution apparent. Angry drivers are fighting the New Street trial bike lanes parallel to Centennial Bikeway, which narrowed New. The city thinks we’re giving up our cars. Will you?
I’m not, with the alternative of inconvenient unsafe transit. (No subway service here). And the city is reducing required highrise condo and apartment parking. Is it fair that downtown businesses pay a special parking tax levy to subsidize luxury condo developers who provide inadequate parking for purchasers? What about the effect of spillover parking on neighbourhoods? The city’s own consultant stated that developers believe height increases will be granted either by council or the board (council’s selfinflicted problem).
Then, there’s the large unbudgeted cost overrun for the museum expansion, which ballooned to approximately $11.4 million. Is that rich project on many “must have” lists?
Council struggles with intensification, but where’s the line on overintensification? We’re on track to meet the province’s targets, but what if we didn’t? Years ago municipalities relied on huge provincial grants, but most are gone now, so there’s no fiscal penalty.
These are the issues discussed in coffee shops, barbershops and hair salons, and will be the ballot questions in 2018. Who should be deciding Burlington’s future?