Election 2013 questionnaire response: Rob Pasay, Ward 1

[We sent your questions to all the Election 2013 candidates. We are posting their unedited responses in the order that they’re received. – Ed.]

1. In the context of our City’s growth, how will you support the development of existing communities as opposed to new neighbourhoods?
	My platform at www.robpasay.com calls specifically to roll back the annexation of the land north of Leduc, and stop as much as possible the development of new lands outside of the Henday in favor of existing neighbourhoods inside of it.
2. How will you support and promote independent locally-owned businesses in Edmonton?
	With more people living inside the henday, more people will be walking about instead of driving. As Whyte Avenue demonstrates, a vibrant walking community helps support small business in immense ways. As a small business owner myself I know that things like a lowering of corporate taxes has little to no real effect unless its drastic. Creating a general environment that is friendly to small business instead? Now were talking!
3. How will you support local food and urban agriculture in Edmonton?
	My enhancing any already existing support for farmers markets, and finding a prominent location for a very large community garden. I could also encourage the establishment of some sort of recognition for restaurants that use local-grown sources of food.
4. How will you address Indigenous Edmontonians’ history and needs?
	While the celebration of culture among the individual should be and is protected. I think the city would be better served by encouraging integration rather than the gentle support of separation that seems to occur whenever large groups of different cultures live together in the same space. So for instance, instead of funding some sort of massive weekend festival to celebrate the native culture, I would rather see more Indigenous representation in our city, from the government level all the way down to more table space at the farmers markets. A native Councillor would be nice to see.
5. How do you envision the public transit system evolution?
	As something we need, want, will love it when its done and regret how we chose to pay for it when its over. The LRT system needs to be built yes, but this whole idea that we are in a hurry is nonsense. We’ve waited years, we don’t need to get into a P3 and a bunch of debt just to finish it. Lets pay as we go, and own it when its finished. I would like to see a massive increase in help for our bus network – I don’t see it as being under stress, but I would like to make Public transit so accessible that using a car becomes an option instead of a requirement. We need more people inside the city to make that feasible however, thankfully my platform takes that into consideration.
6. What will you do to better engage post-secondary research / students / faculty with the rest of the community?
	Support home grown research to solve home grown problems. The university can be an incredible tool for the city in helping with planning and problem solving. Whatever we are doing in that area now I don’t know, but we need to increase it. I would rather see local professors informing us about how to solve our problems then hire someone stateside to do the same thing.
7. Councillor candidates: What is the biggest challenge your Ward faces? What solutions would you seek?
	My ward is dominated by industrial space. The urban sprawl is stretching out further to the west, and a ton of wasted space exists inside the Henday itself. Stony plain is being redone, and the gentrification that may ensue as a result of it might cause problems, since currently it is one of the central places for people of limited means to be. The presence of West Edmonton Mall makes the ward a Hub for traffic – the LRT when it eventually arrives will be a boon for the area. Stony plain could use some police presence on foot like Whyte ave has, and maybe some day-work places and other support for the people there. Stop the sprawl, and spend money inside the Henday.
8. How can our readers learn more about your platform, contact you with questions or concerns, or get involved in your campaign?
	Website and Platform: www.robpasay.com Facebook: facebook.com/pasay2013 Twitter: @RobPasay

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