The Feature

Prince George Don Zurowski 6 Lyn Hall

Grant Bachand
Team Member

The Prince George Municipal elections are
fast approaching. On November 15 will again
be faced with the question “Who will take
the big chair of mayor on City Council?”
Over the Edge, in partnership with Shaw TV,
had the opportunity to sit down, speak with
both mayoral candidates, and ask them
a series of questions relating to student
issues and why they think they deserve to

be the new Mayor of Prince George.

Over the Edge had an opportunity
to ask each candidate the

same questions at the

Shaw TV studio on
October 28,

Each

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candidate was asked to comment on
downtown development, an important

area in this election. Hall said he is open

to this idea, and he believes the municipal
government could help out in terms of

land. The city owns some property in the
downtown core, which they might be able to
offer to help get this project off the ground.

Zurowski also thinks that downtown
residences are a good idea, and would be
open to the contribution of land for the
project. However, as for actually funding this
project, neither Hall nor Zurowski believe
funding should come from the city. Zurowski
would like to see it come from the provincial
government, as they are responsible for
educational funding. Zurowski does not
believe that the funding should be the
burden of the institutions or the city.

Many citizens of Prince George are concerned
about safety, particularly downtown after
dark. We asked the candidates what they
would do to help remedy this problem.
Zurowski said that everything comes
down to the idea that not enough
people are on the streets.
An increase in people
walking around on at
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mitigating people’s worries. He went on to
speak of a story when he was in downtown
Vancouver walking around at night,
explaining that he felt comfortable and safe
because the streets were full of people.

Hall would prefer working with the RCMP.
His idea is to bring back foot patrols in

the downtown core. This, in his opinion,
will go a long way to help people feel like
they are safe downtown. Both men think
that people living downtown and spending
time downtown would go a long way to
help the downtown core feel safer.

We then looked at snow removal in Prince
George, focusing on last winter. People
said that it was a particularly bad winter
for snow removal, and it caused problems
all over town for people getting to school
and work. Both candidates acknowledged
the issues of last winter, and said that city
hall had all the resources they were going
to need to get the job done. Hall was more
focused on ways to work with the city crews
to help find the best means of clearing the
roads and sidewalks. Hall spoke of changes
which had been done to help improve
snow removal for this upcoming winter.

Zurowski’s position is that Prince George
has the equipment that the city needs to
make sure the job gets done, but must make
sure that the equipment is utilized and
employees are as efficient as possible.

One of the final points Over the Edge
talked about with the candidates was
public transit. The candidates
agreed with each other

on this issue: public
transit problems

are something
that the

province would have to handle. They were
clear that the city can get involved in helping
the process along, but does not have direct
control of the outcome. Hall spoke of working
with students to find a possible solution to
and vocalizing the issues to the province.

Zurowski reiterated his past record regarding
public transit; the bus routes in Prince
George were running very infrequently and
he took part in helping to upgrade them. The
candidates agree that if the problems with
public transit are to be remedied, the city
needs to work with the province to see the
most beneficial outcome for Prince George.

The 2014 municipal election will be an
interesting one; both of these men have
extensive experience in local government.
Zurowski seems to be more economically
libertarian--he thinks that with tax cuts,
Prince George can grow the population,
which will then grow the tax base.

Hall strikes a more moderated view on
economics. He too would like to see growth,
although sees it through communication
and leadership in government. Whichever
candidate wins, they will have a period of
population growth, due to the economic
development in BC’s mining operations
having a positive effect on the economy.

It is hard to say which candidate has a more
student friendly platform. In this election, we
need to be well informed about the current
issues and where the two candidates stand.

The complete interviews have been airing

on Shaw TV since November 8, and will
continue to air until November 13. Election
day is November 15, and we can only push for
more inclusion in government and a greater
voice in our city if we come out to vote.
Advanced voting polls will be open at UNBC
on November 13 in the Doug Little Lounge,

so there are lots of opportunities to vote!

Full articles at overtheedgenewpaper.ca