The North Delta Reporter sent candidates for councillor a list of eight questions to gauge their positions on some of the major issues in the 2018 civic election campaign. We gave candidates a limit of 400 words total to answer. Here’s what Achieving for Delta candidate Cal Traversy had to say:
(Note, all candidates’ answers have been edited for length, clarity and to conform with Canadian Press style, as required.)
1) Why are you running for council?
I want to do my part to keep Delta great and make it even better. I see significant challenges ahead for Delta and I am seeking a seat on Delta council because I want to roll up my sleeves and help Delta continue to thrive.
2) What in your opinion are the top issues facing the City of Delta and how do you plan to address them?
Keep taxes low by attracting new businesses and jobs providing the necessary tax revenue to pay for improvements to city services and keep a balanced budget. Establishing a public safety community. Keep Deltans in Delta by providing more housing options for young families, seniors and those who need help.
3) What is your plan for addressing the need for affordable and rental housing in Delta, especially as it relates to medium- and high-density developments/highrises in North Delta?
Delta’s distinct neighbourhoods are the strong social fabric of our community. We absolutely need to protect the character of them. We will provide more housing options, work with Metro Vancouver Housing, the provincial and federal governments, and local builders to ensure we fill the gaps: housing for rental, for those downsizing and young families looking to enter the market.
4) What is your stance on cannabis production and retail sales in Delta?
We’re at the receiving end of a poor decision made by the provincial government and Agricultural Land Commission, who ruled marijuana growth on ALR is a legal use of the property. ALR should be used solely for its intended use: food production. Delta has a plan for retail sales by zoning out all locations. Achieving for Delta will take every possible step to ensure that the product doesn’t get into the hands of our youth.
5) A number of Delta’s recreation facilities are in need of upgrading or replacement. Which projects do you think are important to tackle first, and where will you find the money to pay for them?
Work towards upgrading the track at North Delta Secondary. Finish the accessibility project at South Delta Recreation Centre; washrooms at Sungod; turf field, field house and lawn bowling facilities at Winskill.
6) A new Casino will soon be built at the site of the Delta Town & Country Inn, bringing the city an estimated $1.5 million and $3 million in revenue. How do you think that money should best be spent, and how do you plan to mitigate the casino’s impact on the community?
We need to ensure revenues from the casino are invested back into our community to help those most in need, keep Delta safe by keeping crime out of our city, and fight for a new George Massey Bridge because a casino at the intersection of Hwy. 99 and 17A will only add to what is already an unacceptable amount of traffic congestion.
7) Last year mayor and council voted to give outgoing elected officials a “Council Service Benefit” (commonly referred to as a “golden handshake”) to compensate them for not being eligible to join the city’s pension plan. Do you support this end-of-service benefit and do you agree with the decision to backdate it 12 years?
I support a severance package for elected officials. However, I think a third-party committee should be assigned to determine what is fair, reasonable and determine the starting point for those benefits.
8) The previous mayor and council advocated for a 10-lane bridge to replace the aging tunnel George Massey Tunnel. That is your preferred replacement option (or do you think it even needs replacing), and why?
We need to move forward with the bridge. The project as it is proposed today is shovel-ready, with the bidding process already complete. We believe Delta can’t wait for yet another period of consultation. If the province comes to the table with an alternative solution we will certainly look at it, but we need to address the future of transportation as part of this. We will fight for a bridge.
The civic election takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20.
SEE ALSO: 43 candidates running in Delta civic election
editor@northdeltareporter.com
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