Poll: Savage is the “preferred candidate” for mayor
In the latest polling from CRA, former MP Mike Savage (who recently declared his candidacy for Halifax mayor) is “the …
Questioning the next mayor
By Trevor J. Adams | May 4, 2012Halifax elects a new mayor in October and I’ve been thinking a lot about our responsibility to help readers choose the best candidate. Last month, we asked readers directly (via Twitter and Facebook) for one question they’d like each candidate to answer. These sorts of exercises are nothing like scientific polling but do provide a useful snapshot of what Haligonians are thinking.
There were lots of questions and comments about infrastructure in general, with an eye to the way demographers expect Halifax to grow in the next couple of decades. “How will city [Council] plan for the infrastructure needs to support the population growth resulting from the economic boom of the ship-building contract?” Rob Dunbar asks on Facebook.
Many respondents seem to have Metro Transit on their mind—perhaps a hangover from the prolonged strike. On Twitter, @gauthkim has this question for a future mayor: “To what extent are you willing to invest in an overhaul of public transportation?” Reader @paulvienneau1 also wants more information on that subject, Tweeting: “Transportation!” And transpo we all use, stadium depreciates. Tired of stadiums.”
On Twitter, @Allisomething wants candidates to explore obstacles to growth: “What is keeping Halifax from growing in a desirable way?” Peter Moorhouse wants long-term vision, posting on Facebook: “What does your Halifax look like in the next 10 years?” Tweeter @StadLab also asks for a big-picture view: “what will you do to (re)establish Halifax as a bold and exemplary Provincial and de facto Regional capital city?” Another Twitter addresses one historically troubled community specifically: “I’d like to ask them what kinds of improvements they plan on making to North End,” Tweets @ohh_n.
And it just wouldn’t be an election if people weren’t thinking about taxes. Paula Minnikin posted on Facebook: “What are your thoughts on tax reform?” Also posting on the subject was David Gough, with a more specific query: “What major HRM services will your Council cut to reduce expenditures and hence reduce net residential taxes?”
Jobs are a perpetual election issue. “What specific plans do you have to improve the economy in a sustainable way to produce quality jobs for Halifax’s many unemployed and underemployed young citizens?” asks Catherine Robar on Facebook. The recent spate of high-profile violent crimes in Halifax led @Culture_Alcohol to Tweet this question: “What will/can you do to make HFX streets safe?”
Sadly, many of the posters seemed to be cynical about candidates’ ability to deliver. “How will you set strategic priorities for the next [five to eight] years, or will you continue the reactive approach of recent years?” Tweets @JillRafuse.
Several posters hit on the working relationship between the new mayor and Council. Tweeter @MarkCoffin’s question seems to speak for many: “How will you cooperate and collaborate with council to achieve your vision for Halifax?”
Frustration with Council’s frequent in-camera meetings continues as well. “What will you do to increase council transparency and accountability?” Tweets @Tekebo. On Facebook, Colin Chisholm also asks: “Will you (the candidate) actually reduce the number of in-camera meetings?”
And that’s just a sampling of what readers are posting. Thanks to everyone who took part; keep your questions coming. Between now and October, we’re going to take your questions to the mayoral candidates and do our best to get answers. Join the discussion on Twitter and Facebook.
