Public Transit to the SE? You bet!

Transportation seems to be the most important thing on anybody’s mind in Calgary these days and with good reason. The ability to move around with ease is the key to any vibrant, exciting City. As Calgary grows, it is important we ensure Calgarians continue to be able to move about the City easily, be it by car, public transit, walking or cycling. Currently, the most important scheduled project for ensuring this is the SE LRT.

The SE LRT is such an important project for many reasons. Its’ proposed route will pass through major employment centres like the Foothills Industrial Park, as well as future employment centres at the new South Hospital. In addition, the route will provide residences in the fastest growing part of the City with a viable alternative to the car for getting to work and play. As far as residents of Ward 14 are concerned, the construction of the SE LRT will provide much needed relief to the already congested South line. With both lines running, commuting will be easier and faster for everybody, regardless of which transportation mode they choose.

The first step of the route has been completed, with initial studies having been done, and most of the route being finalized. Secondly, the initial funding has been put in place, when City Council agreed to put $800 million from the Province toward the project. However, there is still a lot that needs be done, and it is another example of the problems with the current City Council.

When the construction of the West LRT began, it almost seemed as if Council decided it could now rest as there was a major project underway. Unfortunately, in a City so far behind in its’ infrastructure like Calgary, we cannot afford to stop building. As soon as a construction began on the West LRT, the City should have begun its’ work on the SE line. Now is the time plans should be finalized for the project. Exact routes need to be determined, cost estimates need to be established, funding needs to be arranged, and most importantly, a timeline for the project needs to be established. We cannot simply rest on our laurels.

As Alderman, I plan to make this project one of my priorities. Nearly $2 billion will be needed to see it to completion, so it will be important to work with the Province and Federal Governments to arrange for their share of the money, as well as making sure the City itself is making the project a priority in its’ spending. This is the highest impact project Calgary will see in the next ten years, affecting not only the residents of Ward 14, but also the City at large. We need to see its construction started as soon as possible.


- The Butcher

www.billythebutcher.com
www.twitter.com/billtummonds

Who's Looking After the Money?

One of the more important issues in the upcoming election is that of ‘fiscal responsibility.’ Basically, it is important to Calgarians that their tax money is being spent wisely and efficiently; or more to the point, that their money is being spent properly. Calgarians understand that taxes are inevitable. Governments need money to build infrastructure, run programs and to keep the City running. But, most people are not happy with how their money is being spent. Are the right projects being built? Are they being built properly, and are they following the right procedures? Unfortunately the answer isn’t always yes.

Recent things in Calgary that haven’t followed this line of reasoning include ‘pre-approving’ the Police budget, and everybody’s favourite topic, the sole-sourcing of the Peace Bridge. In both these instances, it seems nobody was looking out for the lowly taxpayer in the process. The Police are obviously a very important part of the municipal government, and a necessary expenditure. However, this does not mean they should be given carte-blanche in their budgeting. Like every department, the Police need to look at how they can become more efficient in their spending, to ensure Calgarians are getting the biggest bang for their buck.

With the Peace Bridge, we need to look at the process of how infrastructure projects are being done. While I can understand the desire to build a ‘nice’ piece of architecture, as a work of art, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have been a more competitive process. Having an open bid would have allowed for perhaps a better price on the design, and would have offered a myriad of design options for Council to choose from. Just as you wouldn’t go to one dealership, to look at one model of car before buying, this bridge shouldn’t have had only one option.

To fix this problem, we need to look at two different things. First off, we need to fix the auditor situation. After the firing of the City’s internal auditor last year, people really started to take notice of possible wrong-doings at City Hall. It is apparent now, that the City needs to have its’ books looked at every year, by an external auditor. An external auditor, who doesn’t answer to the Mayor or Aldermen would be a start to ensuring Council takes responsibility for its use of taxpayer dollars, and makes sure the right projects are being done properly.

Secondly, we need to start using zero-based budgeting, where each City department would have to justify its’ expenditures to Council each year. Those departments that are running an effective and efficient operation would perhaps be in line for more funding, while those that are the opposite would need to re-look at how they do things, if that are to continue being funded at the same rate. Simply, we need to stop throwing good money after bad. Having to justify their budgets each year would lead to more accountability within every City department and give Calgarians the ‘bargain’ they’re looking for.

The City will always have projects that need building and programs that need funding, so let’s make sure our tax dollars are being spent in everybody’s best interests and are being spent as efficiently as possible. Council needs to have a transparent budgeting process, and right now the tools to make that a reality aren’t in place.


-The Butcher

www.billythebutcher.com
www.twitter.com/billtummonds

Green Means Go

For far too long, Calgary has been behind the times when it comes to green programs such as recycling. The City has a goal of recycling 80% of our waste, leaving only 20% in landfills, which is obviously very important. However, there doesn’t seem to be enough action on reaching this goal, as every step to do so seems to get bogged down in City Council proceedings. We need to move Calgary from behind the times on green programs to become the leader of the pack. With a firm plan in place, we can make this a reality.

Recycling is obviously important for many reasons. To begin with, there are the environmental reasons, reducing our waste is simply a good idea to protect our natural environment. Secondly, recycling can benefit the City financially, with the potential of saving millions of dollars currently being spent dealing with garbage.

Recently, Calgary started its recycling program, one of the last cities in Canada to do so, and it has been a success story so far. However, the program still falls short and needs to be brought up to speed. Currently, apartments, condos and townhouses are not included in the program, meaning over 20% of houses in the City are excluded from recycling. If we are ever to meet the 80/20 goal, we need to be including everybody in recycling. Expansion of the program wouldn’t be very difficult. Other cities in Canada have been able to provide this service for years, yet in Calgary, there always seem to be resistance to what should be an easy decision. This is another symptom of what is wrong at City Hall. There never seems to be any action on anything! It’s always only talk. What should be easy, often takes years and years.

Once Calgary has included all housing types in its recycling efforts, we need to start looking at more innovative ways to reduce waste. Composting programs, which have again been successful in other large cities, needs to be explored. It is estimated that 30% of all household waste is organic material. Imagine having 30% less garbage each week to lug out to the curb. This can have a huge impact on the amount of waste going into our landfills. A successful composting program not only limits landfill use, but also provides the City with environmentally safe fertilizers which can be used to grow more trees, more lawns and more gardens; all with a minimal impact on the environment.

Let’s take Calgary into the 21st century when it comes to waste management, and get these important programs off the ground.

-The Butcher

www.billythebutcher.com
www.twiiter.com/billtummonds

Transportation Plan for Ward 14

In an effort to keep Ward 14 and the City moving, there needs to be a plan in place. Currently, it seems projects in Calgary are done on an ad hoc basis, as money become available, or the need becomes too great. But very few projects are ever done as part of a long-range plan with timelines and budgets. I want to create a plan for Ward 14 that lists the necessary projects, their projected costs and a timeline to have each project completed.

The two main components of my plan are of course roadways and public transit, both of which are vital to the success and accessibility of the area. Roadway projects for Ward 14 include interchanges at Lake Fraser Gate and 162nd Avenue with MacLeod Trail, creating a lengthy stretch of free flow travel on one of Calgary’s busiest roads. The next road improvements necessary, would be the completion of the SE leg of the Ring Road. A Provincial project already under construction, the Ring Road is currently only going to be built to Sun Valley Blvd, not West through MacLeod Trail. This is simply unacceptable to the residents of Ward 14 and all Calgarians. The Province needs to know how important this piece of infrastructure is to Calgary and ensure that it is completed along with the rest of the SE Ring Road.

The most important transit projects are the extension of all LRT platforms to allow four-car trains and the building of the SE LRT. Expansion to four-car trains will allow the City to increase LRT capacity by 33% in a quick and cost-efficient fashion. The project, which currently has a five year timeline, is estimated to cost around $60 million dollars. Meanwhile, the SE LRT, which has a rough plan in place, hasn’t really had any progress made, other than Council committing $800 million; less than half of the estimated cost.

As Alderman, I would propose we put an end to this hap-hazard approach to important infrastructure projects, with a firm plan.


Interchange at MacLeod Trail/Lake Fraser Gate SE
- estimated cost of $25 million
- Completion date of 2014

Interchange at MacLeod Trail/162nd Avenue SE
- estimated cost of $50 million
- completion date of 2014

Expansion of LRT system to four-car trains
- estimated cost of $60 million
- completion date of 2014

Construction of SE LRT line
- estimated cost of $2 billion
- begin construction by the end of 2012

We need to ensure that the City of Calgary continues to grow and prosper, and the ability to move about is so important. Let’s start to get these projects done.

-The Butcher

www.billythebutcher.com
www.twitter.com/billtummonds

Four-Car Platforms

Anybody who uses the LRT system on a regular basis can tell you what it’s like taking the train during rush hour in this city; it’s not unlike being pressed into a sardine can. Simply put, the trains in Calgary are over-crowded. The demand for the system is there, but the capacity is not.

One plan to ease this crunch is the eventual extension of all platforms to accommodate four car trains, instead of the existing three car system. This is a worthwhile project that with a minimum investment can increase the capacity of our current system by 33%. Many of the newer stations, those built after 2002, have already been built to this standard, as are those currently being built on the WLRT line. As well, most downtown platforms have been upgraded or are currently being upgraded to make this a reality. However, once the downtown corridor is complete, there will still be 22 stations in need of an extension, and while Council has been supportive, they have yet to make it a reality.

Currently, the only stations with actual timelines are Whitehorn on the NE line and Brentwood on the NW line. Whitehorn is being completely renovated and is expected to be completed by this time next year, while Brentwood lists a completion of ‘Late 2014.’ This is a project that needs to be done now, not five years from now, and I don’t understand why Council and Calgary Transit have been dragging their feet on this issue.

The total cost of expanding all stations to accommodate four car trains is around $80 million. This is an affordable cost, which has the blessing of Council, but yet isn’t being done. It’s great that people on Council have said they support this measure, but one of the things Calgarians expect from their City Council is action. So far, on the issue of four-car platforms, there has been very little.

The project was begun in 2005, when downtown stations began to receive their renovations, not simply extending the platform, but completely re-building them, creating a much more enjoyable pedestrian experience downtown. Five years later, a total of five stations have been completed and two are currently under construction. At this pace, it may take twenty years to see any progress on this important initiative. The WLRT is scheduled to be completed by December of 2012. That will be roughly two and a half years from its’ start. Why can an entire line be built in less than three years, but simple platform extensions are scheduled to take over ten years? It doesn’t add up.

Like so many projects in our city, Council needs to take more action to ensure things get done; not simply talk about how they support them, and hope they are eventually completed.

-The Butcher
www.billythebutcher.com
www.twitter.com/billtummonds
www.facebook.com/billtummonds