*Note: I've updated this post to include recent Facebook comments by citizens and by-election candidates.
Tom Dishlevoy's original post:"Hi all Comox Candidates: How about some comment on the following:
1. A third crossing of the Courtenay River?
2. Approval of low speed electric vehicles in Comox?
3. Daylighting of historic Comox creeks burried in the last 30 years?
4. A continuous waterfront walkway through Town?
5. 4 storey buildings in the downtown core?"
I've expanded this post to include some recent Facebook comments.
Tom Dishlevoy (29.12.2010)
"Here is a question for Pat [McKenna] specifically and the others as well. Do you see any big box stores in the future of Comox? Have you read the Smal-Mart Revolution?"
Brian Charlton (29.12.2010)
"What is their position on the Regional Growth Strategy?
On recording votes of councillers at Council meetings?
For starters."
Derek Bouchard (31.12.2010) Hi Tom, thanks for the questions... Some quick and unrefined answers... 1. Yes, but for pedestrians and cyclists. (more on this further down) 2. Yes. And other electric vehicles and hybrids. And dedicated parking spots in the downtown core to encourage their use. 3. This sounds good hypothetically, but I could see a lot of costs and possible problems involved. I would need to see a lot more details on what's involved. 4. Absolutely, linking up with the Courtenay Riverway Walkway. This would involve the third crossing I mentioned in answer 1. If we build an alternative away from regular traffic (Dyke Road), I think a lot more people would use that route, and leave the cars at home. 5. Only on the north side. While I support the principle of densification, I would hate to see streets where the sun never shined. I like how the condos on Comox Ave. are set back from the street, but for commercial on the bottom floor, businesses would want to front onto the sidewalk. I would hate to see the street have the feeling of entering a tunnel. |
Nico TeWinkel (01.01.2011) Hi Tom, sorry I just noticed your questions now. For future discussions, if you could tag my facebook page directly I'll be sure to comment sooner (facebook.com/NicoForComox). I'm happy to see that I have a lot of these answers in common with Derek! 1. I'm not sure if a river crossing is the best way to solve the problem of traffic. Streets are like storage areas that way - traffic will fill whatever space becomes available, and you'll be faced with problems again in the near future. Congestion of cars does, however, encourage people to use alternative means of transportation. The problem is that the bridges are pretty scary places for cyclists and pedestrians. So my suggestion is to add a dedicated cyclist and pedestrian crossing, as well as safe cyclist and pedestrian routes linking up to it. 2. Absolutely. We also need Courtenay and Area B to sign up to make it work. And we need to put some pressure on the provincial and federal governments (and transport Canada) to allow low-speed electric vehicles to travel at 60 km/hr rather than the current discouraging 40. They claim safety as the reason, but scooters are limited to 60 and are less safe. 3. This is a great idea where-ever possible. Streams are important to wildlife, clean the air, and add a sense of serenity to the surrounding areas. 4. Yes of course. I would also want to see more safe, dedicated cycling and pedestrian routes in general. 5. I'm not a big fan of taller buildings, as they really don't fit Comox as the tourism and retirement destination it currently is. I would vote against them, unless the specific setting happens to be perfectly suited for it. 6. Big box stores do not suit Comox, I will vote against them. 7. Regional Growth Strategy - I'm not sure what the question is, which may mean that I haven't been closely enough involved. In general I feel that growth should be planned for the Valley as a whole, rather than each city and area doing its own thing. Ultimately growth must be planned to make us less, rather than more, dependant on outside resources. 8. Yes - all council actions should be public information, especially the way each councillor is voting, as that's the only way they are really accountable to their voters. The "slightly more democratic" part of my platform is for exactly that reason - use the internet to keep the public informed and involved. |
Open Invitation
I invite all candidates to comment here. I also encourage readers and non-candidates to pose their own questions about the future of the Town of Comox, the larger Comox Valley region and how the Town works towards sustainability and better quality of life.
hanspetermeyer
2 January 2011
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