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 Team Delta candidate Kim Kendall 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’m running for council because I’m passionate about our community centres, sporting fields and tracks. I will advocate for more transit, speak up for our treasured farmland and well as work with all stakeholder to ensure that we implement thoughtful and responsible development.
2) What in your opinion are the top issues facing the City of Delta and how do you plan to address them?
Parks and rec facilities are close to my heart and are for the enjoyment of our entire community. We need to improve our sports fields, both artificial and grass, to make them safe for year-round use by our community. Delta needs to focus our efforts on replacing our tracks rather than pointing fingers and pushing off the responsibility to others.
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?
Housing affordability is at a crisis, young people and seniors have been priced out of our beloved community. Attention and care must be paid to existing neighbourhoods and community plans, but they must not be detrimental handcuffs. To address the issues that we are facing today, council must be open to all ideas. We need to become creative and ready to tackle the problem. Team Delta has committed that within 100 days of being elected we will sit down with academics, economists, community and housing activists, developers, leading Delta residents and others and hold a housing summit to enact new municipal policies to take effect in the early spring.
4) What is your stance on cannabis production and retail sales in Delta?
As of Oct. 17, this is a reality. Although it’s a federal government decision, retail sale of non-medical cannabis needs to be regulated carefully to protect children and others who may be at risk. I will fight to protect our farmland for food production as I believe cannabis should only be grown in industrial facilities.
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?
South Delta Rec Centre needs accessible washrooms. Artificial turf fields need replacing at Holly Park and Winskill, as well as twinning at Mackie Park. Track replacement at North Delta and South Delta secondary schools. Funding for these projects should come from the budget surplus.
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?
When elected, Team Delta has committed to use casino revenues to attract more general practitioners to Delta as well as create scholarships, bursaries and grants to be made available to young Delta residents who pursue health related studies in post-secondary.
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 am not opposed to an end-of-service benefit, however I am totally opposed to any backdating of 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?
I am in support of the bridge option due to safety concerns as well as getting more improved public transit. I believe the bridge would have less impact on our farmland than any tunnel options.
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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