Thanks! and let's have a meeting
As a candidate in the recent St John’s municipal election, I call upon the city to hold a public meeting on the electoral system. With the controversies surrounding campaign signage and voter lists there is a need to discuss these issues while recent experiences are fresh in the minds of candidates and public. The agenda should also include campaign funding and the postal ballot system.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Ward 3 who voted for me in the recent St John’s municipal elections. I can assure them, their support is greatly appreciated.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sunday, September 04, 2005
WHAT DOES IT COST TO RUN ST JOHN’S?
St John’s Ward 3 candidate, Lionel West, asks that the upcoming Mayoral debate include the question “What does it cost to run St John’s?”
The city of St John’s has an annual budget of approximately $145 million. Is this adequate to cover the fiscal responsibilities of the city? City council has acknowledged that $5 million per year is required to maintain city streets. Currently the city spends approximately $2 million per year on streets, creating an annual shortfall of $3 million. This contributes to the disrepair of many city streets. City sidewalks are also neglected. For the fiscal year 2005/06 $1.3 million dollars has been allocated to sidewalks. Patently insufficient, city council agreed to redirect some of the savings that may be found in capital expenditure to sidewalks.
These two examples indicate that the city lacks the necessary funds to meet acceptable standards of services and infrastructure.
So what does it cost to run St John’s? What sum of money is required to ensure the city of St John’s is able to maintain acceptable levels of infrastructure and service?
What are the city’s options? Is there a way of raising additional revenues without increasing taxes? Will city priorities have to change to ensure infrastructure items such as streets receive sufficient funding?
Let’s hear public debate on this crucial issue!
Issued by: Lionel West, candidate, Ward 3 Councillor, St John’s
St John’s Ward 3 candidate, Lionel West, asks that the upcoming Mayoral debate include the question “What does it cost to run St John’s?”
The city of St John’s has an annual budget of approximately $145 million. Is this adequate to cover the fiscal responsibilities of the city? City council has acknowledged that $5 million per year is required to maintain city streets. Currently the city spends approximately $2 million per year on streets, creating an annual shortfall of $3 million. This contributes to the disrepair of many city streets. City sidewalks are also neglected. For the fiscal year 2005/06 $1.3 million dollars has been allocated to sidewalks. Patently insufficient, city council agreed to redirect some of the savings that may be found in capital expenditure to sidewalks.
These two examples indicate that the city lacks the necessary funds to meet acceptable standards of services and infrastructure.
So what does it cost to run St John’s? What sum of money is required to ensure the city of St John’s is able to maintain acceptable levels of infrastructure and service?
What are the city’s options? Is there a way of raising additional revenues without increasing taxes? Will city priorities have to change to ensure infrastructure items such as streets receive sufficient funding?
Let’s hear public debate on this crucial issue!
Issued by: Lionel West, candidate, Ward 3 Councillor, St John’s
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