On Transit:
First, I believe that we need to elect people that can see to true value of Public transit. The benefit public transit is to transit users and non-users a like. Public transit reduces congestion in local traffic, and creates a healthier, cleaner city for everyone to live in. Public transit reduces pollution. We need to address the duplicity of service and the inefficiency. To fix metro transit, I believe that we need to reverse the ferry cuts. Increase the corridor model that was introduced on August 27,2012 in the Portland Street Area: shorter routes and higher frequencies. Also, build our public transit model on including the harbour ferries, the buses and active transportation routes. All three parts should be working as a seamless system to help move residents across our city.
On renewing Downtown Dartmouth:
We need to encourage development, however it needs to be smart development. New Developments should be complimentary to the neighbourhood they will be built in. Yes, I support re-focusing growth into the Downtown Dartmouth, but there are many ways to increase density. Tall buildings are one way, but taller developments I feel need to compliment an area. They are ways with design that one can make it visually appealing and something beautiful. Also, it is a question of what does density for Dartmouth mean. I feel we need to re-visit this question. As we grow, it is important that development not cater to just one group and that we maintain a variety of demographics in the downtown. As with other candidates, I agree that mixed used development such as Founder's Corner is a good example of smart development.
On the commercial front, as a local government we need to look at the approval process for new businesses going into Downtown Dartmouth. The property taxes for downtown need to re-visited. A review of how the property assessments are calculated, and to ensure true Market Value is applied. Offering a tax break to downtown is another option I want to explore. Finally, to help downtown we need to ensure it is inviting and accessible for all. I have heard from residents how they do not go to Dartmouth Crossing due to transportation issues, and also accessibility concerns related to mobility (ie using a wheelchair, walker) If we can address that and make downtown more accessible for all consumers, that will help to support a renewed downtown as well.
My campaign is built on Social, Economic and Environmental Sustainability
You can learn more at www.bryndartcentre.ca
Bryn Jones-Vaillancourt
Candidate Dartmouth Centre - District 5
Recent Comments
First, I believe that we need to elect people that can see to true value of Public transit. The benefit public transit is to transit users and non-users a like. Public transit reduces congestion in local traffic, and creates a healthier, cleaner city for everyone to live in. Public transit reduces pollution. We need to address the duplicity of service and the inefficiency. To fix metro transit, I believe that we need to reverse the ferry cuts. Increase the corridor model that was introduced on August 27,2012 in the Portland Street Area: shorter routes and higher frequencies. Also, build our public transit model on including the harbour ferries, the buses and active transportation routes. All three parts should be working as a seamless system to help move residents across our city.
On renewing Downtown Dartmouth:
We need to encourage development, however it needs to be smart development. New Developments should be complimentary to the neighbourhood they will be built in. Yes, I support re-focusing growth into the Downtown Dartmouth, but there are many ways to increase density. Tall buildings are one way, but taller developments I feel need to compliment an area. They are ways with design that one can make it visually appealing and something beautiful. Also, it is a question of what does density for Dartmouth mean. I feel we need to re-visit this question. As we grow, it is important that development not cater to just one group and that we maintain a variety of demographics in the downtown. As with other candidates, I agree that mixed used development such as Founder's Corner is a good example of smart development.
On the commercial front, as a local government we need to look at the approval process for new businesses going into Downtown Dartmouth. The property taxes for downtown need to re-visited. A review of how the property assessments are calculated, and to ensure true Market Value is applied. Offering a tax break to downtown is another option I want to explore. Finally, to help downtown we need to ensure it is inviting and accessible for all. I have heard from residents how they do not go to Dartmouth Crossing due to transportation issues, and also accessibility concerns related to mobility (ie using a wheelchair, walker) If we can address that and make downtown more accessible for all consumers, that will help to support a renewed downtown as well.
My campaign is built on Social, Economic and Environmental Sustainability
You can learn more at www.bryndartcentre.ca
Bryn Jones-Vaillancourt
Candidate Dartmouth Centre - District 5