Today’s guest on the EdmontonPolitics.com #yegvote Hangout was Councillor Don Iveson. As you know he’s running for mayor this time, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to grill him on a number of subjects. Here’s the archived video:
We look forward to chatting with the other mayoral candidates in upcoming episodes!
Here’s my latest election news roundup:
- Mayoral candidate Curtis Penner dropped out of the race yesterday. “I have decided that I can better pursue my passion and serve the Edmonton community by focusing my efforts solely on the fight to retain our rights to our parkland,” he said.
- Check out Dave’s list of declared candidates, last updated today. Councillor Ed Gibbons now has a challenger in Ward 4 as Sam Hachem has declared his intention to run. Still no challengers for councillors Henderson, Anderson, and Sohi.
- The first major mayoral forum took place on Tuesday night! Hosted by the Urban Development Institute and the local chapter of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, the forum had some particularly memorable moments. Kerry Diotte declared: “I don’t believe there is any real form of urban sprawl here.” Karen Leibovici took a similar stance: “I don’t believe we’re an example of urban sprawl. We’re an example of responsible urban growth.” Both candidates were roasted on Twitter for the statements, and in the blogosphere too. CBC has a Storify of all the action here.
- One of the things Karen Leibovici announced during the forum was her Red Tape Elimination Commission, intended to “clean up unnecessary and costly barriers” for developers. She also talked about a Mayor’s Development Forum.
- Though it’s extremely unlikely he’ll lose his seat, Amarjeet Sohi is going to be campaigning just the same. He launched @VoteSohi on Twitter this week.
- Don Iveson wrote a surprisingly hopeful entry about LRT expansion, urging transit advocates “not to lose heart”.
- Here is Paula’s take on the LRT decision Council made this week (to continue lobbying the feds and province for money). I don’t think there will be a lack of discussion about the LRT during this election, but Paula’s right – the problem isn’t with our municipal representatives. We need to find a way to get the other orders of government on board and contributing their share.
- Kerry Diotte wrote about fixing Edmonton’s drainage systems this week. “City Hall has to better address core services such as drainage and the terrible condition of our streets,” he wrote.
- See, ActivatED aren’t the only ones making endorsements! Kathleen Smith, better known as KikkiPlanet, announced on Sunday that she’ll be supporting Karen Leibovici for mayor. “I truly believe she is the only candidate that can both build AND safeguard our future,” Kathleen wrote.
- ActivatED has announced they are not endorsing Bryan Anderson in Ward 9 because he does not meet the group’s definition of progressive. They did endorse Dan St. Pierre in Ward 5, however.
- Could the new Council reverse course on some contentious issues? Sure, but it’s highly unlikely in my opinion. Our next mayor is almost certainly going to be one of the three current councillors who are running, which will make it difficult for a rookie councillor to steer the group in another direction.
- Do you think it’s easy to make priorities? Ryan Hastman tackles that question in a recent post. He’s also got new profiles: Heather MacKenzie in Ward 6 and Ted Grand in Ward 2.
- Here’s a new post from Ward 10 candidate Michael Walters on Fairness for Edmonton.
- There are new candidate responses to The Local Good’s questionnaire! Here they are: Ted Grand in Ward 2, Ed Gibbons in Ward 4, Dan St. Pierre in Ward 5, Dan Johnstone in Ward 10, Bryan Anderson in Ward 9, Dexx Williams in Ward 6, and Andrew Knack in Ward 1.
- Check out the Edmonton Wayfinding Project’s challenge for mayoral candidates.
- I’m not really sure why she chose a Facebook event to do so, but Linda Sloan has decommissioned her public Facebook account.
- Like many others, I was unhappy with the decision Council made this week on the old Molson Brewery site. Jamie captured it well. “Don’t be afraid, current and future Councillors, to say ‘no’ once and awhile, and show them that the risk they perceive, might just be a great development that a community wholeheartedly wants.”
You can follow Edmonton Election news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegvote and you can see my coverage here.
What have I missed? Let me know!
Disclosure: I’m actively volunteering for Don Iveson’s mayoral campaign.
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