It was reported that the City requires $150 million for infrastructure.
These include water system upgrade, trestle bridges replacement and raw sewer upgrades to comply with liquid waste regulations.
One item not mentioned in the article is road repair.
The City is due for costly major infrastructure work
With a population of 14,000, the taxpayer cannot shoulder this burden.
Although I have always been opposed to putting an extra tax burden on new development , which would discourage industry from settling here, it may be time to revisit this.
A one time fee may be charged and placed in a special fund for infrastructure repair and maintenance.
We also need to lobby the governments for funding. It is to the provincial and federal governments advantage to help as they gain to make millions on tax revenue from these new projects.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Friday, 18 October 2013
Renting in Prince Rupert
With low mortgage rates rental accommodations are becoming more expensive than buying your own home.
All communities have what has become known as "slum lords", where the apartments are not maintained and fall below health standards.
It is frustrating for a renter to have his or her concerns ignored.
The B.C. residential tenancy act regulates rentals. This again is an overworked agency which deals with thousands of complaints yearly. I have heard of some renters who have waited a long time to have their case heard, some have even given up trying to get any satisfaction.
This has put the landlords in an advantageous position when it comes to arbitration and judgements.
Although the system is slow, more people should use it and if your case is not receiving the attention you feel it should, contact your MLA, in this case it would be Jennifer Rice.
If you live in a rental which has or causes serious health issues maybe contacting the health unit or the provincial ministry of health would be a starting point to see what options are available to you.
You also could contact the City of Prince Rupert building dept. or the Fire Dept. to see if the building meets code or violates safety regulations.
Be as persistent.
All communities have what has become known as "slum lords", where the apartments are not maintained and fall below health standards.
It is frustrating for a renter to have his or her concerns ignored.
The B.C. residential tenancy act regulates rentals. This again is an overworked agency which deals with thousands of complaints yearly. I have heard of some renters who have waited a long time to have their case heard, some have even given up trying to get any satisfaction.
This has put the landlords in an advantageous position when it comes to arbitration and judgements.
Although the system is slow, more people should use it and if your case is not receiving the attention you feel it should, contact your MLA, in this case it would be Jennifer Rice.
If you live in a rental which has or causes serious health issues maybe contacting the health unit or the provincial ministry of health would be a starting point to see what options are available to you.
You also could contact the City of Prince Rupert building dept. or the Fire Dept. to see if the building meets code or violates safety regulations.
Be as persistent.
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Condos
We all know that Prince Rupert is in need of housing, good quality housing at an affordable price.
Strata plans are the way of the future, however we must be diligent in our approach.
We must consider who will be living in these units and what amenities are required to enhance such a project.
Should we sacrifice park land for condos?
Who will live in these units?
There is an abundance of land within the town core in my view to accommodate such a project.
The question is, who owns the land and can the City acquire the land at a fair market price for development, or should it be a private corporate based development?
What is more cost effective and best for the community as a whole.
As our population ages, we need more affordable seniors housing, but more importantly it must be within easy access to amenities.
I URGE ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE LESTER CENTRE ON OCTOBER 22,2013 AT 7:00PM.
Strata plans are the way of the future, however we must be diligent in our approach.
We must consider who will be living in these units and what amenities are required to enhance such a project.
Should we sacrifice park land for condos?
Who will live in these units?
There is an abundance of land within the town core in my view to accommodate such a project.
The question is, who owns the land and can the City acquire the land at a fair market price for development, or should it be a private corporate based development?
What is more cost effective and best for the community as a whole.
As our population ages, we need more affordable seniors housing, but more importantly it must be within easy access to amenities.
I URGE ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE LESTER CENTRE ON OCTOBER 22,2013 AT 7:00PM.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Run for council has started
With the deadline for challenges having past I can only assume that the "race" is on.
The deadline to withdraw from the run for a council seat being this Friday Oct.18. I am confident that all candidates will not withdraw their names.
The reason I am running for council is I feel I can contribute to the community. I am retired and am committed to being a full time councillor.
I've been involved with the Lions Clubs and the Senior Citizens Housing Society .
I came to Prince Rupert in 1988 to a "booming" and vibrant community, since the downturn with the mill closure the community has faced hardships, however the community has banded together, worked hard to see this community survive.
There is still much to do and together we can do it.
The deadline to withdraw from the run for a council seat being this Friday Oct.18. I am confident that all candidates will not withdraw their names.
The reason I am running for council is I feel I can contribute to the community. I am retired and am committed to being a full time councillor.
I've been involved with the Lions Clubs and the Senior Citizens Housing Society .
I came to Prince Rupert in 1988 to a "booming" and vibrant community, since the downturn with the mill closure the community has faced hardships, however the community has banded together, worked hard to see this community survive.
There is still much to do and together we can do it.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Friday, 11 October 2013
Today I filed my papers to run for councillor in the by-election for the city of Prince Rupert.
Prince Rupert is experiencing a new beginning. Trade and Commerce is seriously looking at our City, the latest being a $36 billion dollar LNG proposal from Petronas.
The Northern Gateway Project, although going through to Kitimat, and Enbridge have all set their sites on Prince Rupert.
Our City has the best facilities and most prestine shoreline in the world.
We must find a balance between the economy and the environment. In essence we are making decisions today which will determine our survival not only economic and political, but rather the survival of our children and our grandchildren.
Prince Rupert is experiencing a new beginning. Trade and Commerce is seriously looking at our City, the latest being a $36 billion dollar LNG proposal from Petronas.
The Northern Gateway Project, although going through to Kitimat, and Enbridge have all set their sites on Prince Rupert.
Our City has the best facilities and most prestine shoreline in the world.
We must find a balance between the economy and the environment. In essence we are making decisions today which will determine our survival not only economic and political, but rather the survival of our children and our grandchildren.
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