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VIDEO: Mayoral candidate Moe Gill interviewed

Mayor hopeful asked about talking to Henry Braun, favouritism accusations, libraries and housing
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We sat down with the six mayoral candidates running for office to try to get to the bottom of their policies, beliefs and contradictions that may have surfaced during the municipal election campaign.

Watch the full video, or fast forward to the times outlined below to see answers to certain questions posed by reporter Tyler Olsen. You can also find links to interviews with other mayoral candidates below.

Moe Gill said he never told Mayor Henry Braun he was unhappy with his leadership style before he announced the start of his campaign in August.

“I’m a person, I will not step up to a person and say this is what you’re doing wrong, this is what you’re doing right, because they believe in their position that they’re doing everything right.”

Gill said the only way to bring change was to run to be mayor himself.

And while Gill said he still believes the city has favoured certain people, he downplayed the seriousness of his accusations.

Gill said said he wasn’t naming specifics because he didn’t want to jeopardize a person’s employment, and said he won’t bring the specifics of his concern forward if he fails in his mayoral bid.

Asked if it was not a responsibility to bring forth evidence about wrongdoing, Gill said “It’s not wrongdoing, it’s someone doing a little extra out of the ordinary.”

“It’s not very serious accusation. The accusation can be solved with discussion and a meeting.”

Gill also was asked about responding to a questionnaire about fiscal priorities that less should be spent on libraries and trails, given the popularity of those two areas. Gill said money could be saved through efficiencies.

He was also asked how he would pay for much higher spending on police and fire/rescue services, which together already make up 36 per cent of all city expenses.

Gill said very small tax increases could help finance a larger budget for those two departments.

Moe Gill

5:30 : Did you ever tell Mayor Henry Braun that you didn’t like his leadership style?

6:30 : Why did you not discuss your concerns?

8:30 : Do you still believe the city was favouring certain people? What as mayor would you do to address that?

10:30 : Can you say what one wrong thing has taken place?

11:45 : Have you brought your allegations to anyone yet?

13:00 : If you don’t end up in the mayor’s seat, are you not going to bring up these concerns?

14:00 : As a mayor, will you be accountable and answer uncomfortable questions from the media?

15:00 : What is one capital project that should be prioritized?

19:30 : How would the city pay for significantly increased spending on policing and fire/rescue services?

22:00 : You suggested the city should spend less on trails and libraries. The public likes such amenities. Does your thinking run contrary to that of the public?

27:00 : Do you have specific ideas about increasing affordable housing?

28:30 : Should the city requires a certain number of affordable housing unit in a certain apartment building?

OTHER MAYORAL CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS

Nadine Snow

Trevor Eros

Henry Braun

Eric Nyvall

Gerda Peachey

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MORE ABBOTSFORD ELECTION COVERAGE