Melissa WELSH
Abbotsford News
While the city’s water referendum will be the forefront issue for voters this election, according to more than half of the mayoral and council candidates, other issues have also garnered public interest and concern.
The second key issue for voters, in the opinion of 15 out of 21 mayoral and council candidates reached, is accountable spending and taxation.
Mayoral candidate Meghann Coughlan; and council candidates Dave Derkson, William Aird Flavelle, Moe Gidda, and Terry Stobbart did not respond by The News’ press deadline Monday afternoon.
The third top issue for voters, according to candidates, is public safety.
Other common concerns listed were sustainable city planning; the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre’s deficit; Metro Vancouver’s garbage incinerator proposal; homelessness; the city’s Plan A project and openness and transparency with city council.
Candidates were asked: “Please list the top three issues which you think are facing voters in this election.”
Mayoralty candidates
George Peary
(incumbent)
Stave Lake water; public safety/crime; and taxes
Gerda Peachey
The privatization of Stave Lake; taxes; public safety
Bruce Banman
P3; taxes; city urban planning
Council incumbents
Moe Gill
Security/policing and fire; water P3; taxes
Les Barkman:
Abbotsford’s future water supply; public safety; accountable spending
Simon Gibson
Secure and stable water supply; taxing/spending and alternative provincial funding sources; public safety
Patricia Ross
P3 water refer-endum; Metro Vancouver’s garbage incinerator proposal; crime
John Smith
Water referendum; taxes and fees; deficits at AESC
Bill MacGregor
Taxation and spending; P3 water; AESC
Dave Loewen
Rising property taxes and delivery of services; community safety and security; water supply
Council challengers
Henry Braun:
Stave Lake water referendum; public safety and repression of gang/crime activity; AESC’s operating deficit and the Heat hockey team
Kevin Chapman
Rising cost of city services (taxes/water); Stave Lake water proposal; Plan A
Doris Woodman-McMillan
Referendum on water; crime/continued reductions; sustainable development
Anne Graham
Borrowing/spending/rising taxes; sustainable development; social issues like youth crime and homelessness
Vince Dimanno
P3 Stave Lake water project and water bills; AESC/Abbotsford Heat losses; crime reduction and policing
Jatinder Sidhu
P3 water, business development, public safety
James Breckenridge:
P3; accountable spending/taxes; openness and transparency in city council
Lynn Perrin
P3; openness and transparency in city council; accountable spending/taxes
Mark Rushton
P3; accountable spending; city planning/bylaws
Daljit Sidhu
P3; public safety; accountable spending/taxes
Top three
issues
P3 water – 20
Accountable spending – 15
Safety – 12