Incumbent since 2002
Mike Pagtakhan incumbent
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Email: pagtakhan2010@gmail.com
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Election Questionnaire
Why did you decide to run in the 2010 Winnipeg election?
Since being elected in 2002, I have worked alongside so many awesome citizens to help propel the civic ward of Point Douglas into a place that has new homes being built in its older areas, dilapidated playgrounds are being replaced with new play structures, where a new regional recreation facility at 90 Sinclair has been built, a new Sinclair Park Community Centre is currently being constructed and where Main Street is seeing a rebirth with the completion of the new WRHA building, the soon to be completed United Way building at Main & Pacific and the construction of the new Youth Centre for Excellence at Main & Higgins. I am running again, because there is still more homes that need to be built in the inner city, our community centres need major upgrades and renovations, we need more recreational programming for children in our comunity, the rapid transit network needs to be expanded into Northwest Winnipeg, and I would like to establish McPhillips Street as a Business Improvement Zone.
What experience will you bring to complement your role as councillor?
The path from idea to reality is a long winding path, that requires perseverance, ingenuity, and creativity. I know how to stick handle issues thru City Hall and have an advanced understanding of procedure. My experience with Chairing several committees of Council such as the Standing Policy Committee on Protection & Community Services, the Citizens Equity Committee, the Winnipeg Housing & Rehabilitation Corporation, and being a member of several community organizations such as the Exchange District Business Improvement Zone, the Winnipeg Public Library Board, the Fred Douglas Foundation, and the Winnipeg Arts Council, have provided me with diverse and indepth avenues to demonstrate that I have a proven track record of making things happen: more books and computers in all Winnipeg Libraries, new homes being built in the inner city, the redevelopment of Old Market Square park, creating youth intern opportunities at City Hall, keeping our Arts & Culture fully funded, and investing in our community centres.
What are the major issues you would like to stand for and why did you choose these issues?
In the older areas of Pt. Douglas, stabalizing those neighbourhoods is a critical issue that is in part achieved with creating good housing stock, and upgrading our community centres with meaningful recreational infrastructure such as a skateboard park amenities, outdoor basketball courts, augmented with more recreational programming. Keeping our neighbourhoods safe is another key issue. Establishing a visible foot patrol presence in neighbourhoods is a strategy I will work with our Winnipeg Police Service to implement in neighbourhoods with higher incidents of crime.
Is there anything in particular you would like to change in our city? In your ward?
I want to see Northwest Winnipeg become more connected to both the UofW and UofM. I see this occuring with the expansion of the Rapid Transit network along McPhillips. This is a medium to long range vision, but advocacy needs to start now so that planning can take place to make this vision a reality!
Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?
Both mayoral candidates are discussing new revenues for our City, and this topic will continue to be discussed even more so after the election on Wed. Oct. 27th. I strongly believe that our Provincial and Federal governments have a responsibility to provide growth income sharing with Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba. Capital cities afterall are the growth engines of our country! I will continue to be a strong advocate and call upon the area MLA's and MP's to champion growth revenue sharing for Winnipeg. At the same time, I believe Winnipeggers desire to see more public investments in their communities and are likely ready for some form of affordable tax increase. I also know that being accountable and keeping citizen confidence for such a plan requires meaningful public consultation that I will fight to ensure takes place.