8/8/2019 Ward 4 - Goma

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Edmonton Journal Civic Election Candidate

QuestionnaireHafsa Goma, 51. Running for councillor, Ward 4

E-mail  gomahafsa@yahoo.com

Website not ready

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Facebook Hafsa Goma

What are the three biggest issues in your campaign?

Your number one issue, and why?

CRIME PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

My experience helping federal inmates and parolees reintegrate into the community has provided me with acute sense of awareness and experience on how to keep communities safe and that the only way this can be accomplished is by developing acollaborative approach to community safety. Edmonton receives the highest number of parolees in the country. All theseindividuals require assistance to reintegrate into the community and live as productive and law-abiding citizens. It is from thisexperience that I believe successful reintegration of offenders, continuum of care for female parolees and ex-offenders, especiallythose involved in prostitution is key to ensuring community safety.

The Work load of members of the Edmonton Police Service is enormous. The city has one police officer for every 546 people. Thisis unacceptable. We need to find innovative ways to attract recruits. In order to ensure safety and well being of police officers,some form if incentive will need to be provided. Alberta oil sands attract the majority of our youth where they earn more money.We will need to review police pay if we are to attract more youth to the service. EPS members are overworked and stretched tothe limit. Something has to change.

My passion is to serve the greater community sharing my desire to explore new ideas and contribute toward safe, secure andpeaceful communities. I deeply believe that community safety comes when using a collaborative approach in which communities,governments, families and individuals are involved in caring for their neighbourhoods, block by block.

Number two issue, and why?

INFRASTRUCTURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The City has invested enormous funds in the Northeast of Edmonton, especially in the Fort Road area. This investment will needto be matched with equal investment in social development and small business support programs. We must rebrand NortheastEdmonton, highlighting the hard work of community members and shake off the bad reputation.

It is about time to begin the work to expand the Clareview Recreation Centre. The Community needs a multi-purpose complex thatwill house a library, swimming pools, soccer centre, meeting rooms and banquet halls. Residents in the Northeast deserve such afacility. The Centre will provide jobs for our youth and a place for families to spend time and participate in recreational andeducational activities.

Number three issue, and why?

FAIR TAXATION POLICY

Property taxes provide the resources required for the development and maintenance of common services. Council will need toensure taxation policy that takes into consideration of those on fixed income and single income families. More people are payingmore than 30 percent of their income on shelter.

I believe that the City should find other sources of revenue other than relying exclusively on property tax. The City can do morewith less long term strategies are utilized as opposed to short term project initiatives. Phased development is preferred other thanhaving all the projects undertaken at once.

Which should be a higher spending priority for council, LRT construction or road construction, and why?

Roads City funds can be used on road contruction and rehabilitation. Most residential roads are in a state of disrepair and require

urgent attention.

A huge LRT project just got completed. Availability of LRT has provided a lot of Edmontonians astress free means of transportation. We can afford to take a break from LRT construction and turn our attention to the crumbling side walks and pothole filled roads. The City can always take the opportunity to seek other partnerships with surrounding communities to extend theLRT to those municipalities. If Edmonton wins the bid the EXPO 2017, more funds will be available for infrastructure development.

City council has turned down a motion to hold a non-binding plebiscite on keeping the City Centre Airport as a

general aviation facility. Should the new council reopen the airport issue?

.Yes I believe that the new council should reopenthe airport issue. City Council made the decision according to their mandateas decision makers on behalf of Edmontonians. What was lacking in this decision making process is the regulation or policy thatwould provide direction to Council. I believe that some form of regulation or policy must be introduced to address the following:

8/8/2019 Ward 4 - Goma

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1. Subsequent decision making following a plescbicite. I believe that if a decision is made via a plescbicite, it has to be undone or continued via the same method. The policy must state clearly if in-council decision can be made to undo a decision made throughaplescbicite.2. The timeline within which to complete a petition must be proportionate to the given number of people.

3. When and if Council makes an in-council decision following a plescbicite, a notice of such must be printed in the newspaper indication the deadline within which an appeal or petition must be recieved. Most decisions are appealable, why not City Council

decision?  Do you live in the ward where you're running?

Yes

How important is social media to your campaign?

4 out of 5

What is your favourite blog? n/a

What is the last book you read?

The Power Presenter 

What is the last piece of music you listened to?

Instrumental love songs

What is your favourite beer? Answer this question to humour Mark Suits, Edmonton Journal beer blogger

I am alergic to beer 

Favourite place in Edmonton, outside your home?

McKinney Park. The Park is unsafe at certain hours of the day and evenings - but it is a beautiful place.

Three fantasy guests you'd like to have dinner with, and why? Can be living, dead or fictional

George Klooney: I love his demeanor. You can never tell when he is serious happy or totally mad.

Bill Clinton: I like to have a quiet chat with him and listen to his coarse voice

Anderson Cooper: I want to know how he has been doing - covering news stories in those dangerous places. How he got to besuch a caring person.

What type of car do you drive? Make, model and year

BMW 328i 2008

What is the best advice you ever received To rewrite the script on my mind everytime I feel discouraged, in doubt or disappointed about something. It is essentially, positiveself-talk.