8/8/2019 Ward 7 - Van Alstine

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Edmonton Journal Civic Election Candidate

QuestionnaireBrendan Van Alstine, 26. Running for Councillor, Ward 7

E-mail  Brendan@BrendanVanAlstine.ca

Website www.BrendanVanAlstine.ca

Twitter @BVanAlstine

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=83389679368

What are the three biggest issues in your campaign?

Your number one issue, and why?

1-Community Revitalization

As a resident of the Alberta Avenue community, I have been a first hand witness to the incredible renaissance taking place along118th Avenue. I believe the city must continue to work with and support communities to become engaged in solving the issuesthat they face going forward. Only when community members come together and become engaged can we truly hope to begin tosolve the many issues facing both Ward 7 & Edmonton.

Number two issue, and why?

2-Transportation/Transit

While LRT has received a great deal of attention in recent years, the vast majority of bus routes, with the exception of a fewpiece-meal adjustments, date back to a service-reduction in the mid-1990s - the idea of improved bus route frequencies hasreceived little attention, ward 7 had more buses running in 1982 than it does today. The idea of extending transit hours andrunning 24 hour transit has also received minimal attention - every major Canadian city with a population larger than that of London, ON (a city half Edmonton's size) operates later service than Edmonton.

Number three issue, and why?

3-Safety

In many ways improved safety goes hand in hand with things such as community revitalization and improved urban form. Byrefreshing neglected infrastructure and making communities more walkable, as well as supporting local business and festivals andgiving people a reason to get out of their homes, we end up with more eyes on the street and an overall safer environment.

Of course improved policing must also play a role in making our communities safer. More beat officers and geographic policing aretwo strategies for which I cannot offer enough praise - beat officers can be even more effective when on foot or bicycle, beingmore in tune with their surroundings and having a more open and visible presence. Not only are these officers out in thecommunity, getting to know the strengths and problem areas, but community members, seeing these police, often get to know

them and consider them part of the community. People are far more likely to feel comfortable approaching the police with an issueif they have met some of the great officers out there.

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

LRT construction As far as infrastructural investments go, with the current model of LRT being used, we can accommodatean approximate maximum of 500-600 people per 4-car train. For me, this choice boils down to savings - 500 people riding onetrain will inevitably lead to less wear and tear on roads than several hundred cars on the road - the more transit ridership we canencourage, the less we will have to spend on maintaining and repairing roadways.

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?

.No  Do you live in the ward where you're running?

Yes

How important is social media to your campaign?

3 out of 5

What is your favourite blog? Daveberta.ca

What is the last book you read?

usually read newspapers - probably the Rat Creek Press was the last one

8/8/2019 Ward 7 - Van Alstine

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What is the last piece of music you listened to?

Sam Roberts - No Sleep

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

Grasshopper 

Favourite place in Edmonton, outside your home?

118th Avenue (and it's fabulous selection of eateries) - though since I live half a block off of 118th I'm not sure if this counts

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

Tommy Douglas, Matthew McCauley & Dom Helder Camara - just to pick their brains.

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

Rocky Mountain Soul (Bicycle), otherwise I use the bus/LRT

What is the best advice you ever received In politics, never say never (from Michael Phair)