In the run up to the 2017 election, we asked our readers and listeners what issues matter most to them. Every day, we ask candidates for their thoughts on healthcare, growth, traffic, city facilities, downtown, and the other issues important to their campaign. Today, Fred Burley addresses your issues.

Mayoral candidate Fred Burley says, if elected, he'll bring an attitude of openness and respect to the position. That is a key value and it's the foundation on which he would build his tenure.

"For me, respect is how you should live your life. Treat everyone equally, embrace our differences, and bottom line, be nice. Canada is a melting pot, welcoming of all cultures, races and nationalities. Whenever I make a decision, I try to look at the topic from every angle, listen to all views, hear the opposing comments, and then make what is hopefully the best decision based upon that."

Diving into the issues facing Airdrie, Burley believes a lot of what Airdrie is facing is related to growth. There are pluses and minuses to growth. He's happy to see amazing new people call the city home, but there are also stresses on infrastructure. Burley believes City Staff have done an amazing job trying to keep up to borderline unmanagable growth over the last few years, and if elected mayor, he'd continue to support a lot of the plans already in place. He says a planned fire department in the north east corner of Airdrie will help with emergency services.

One facility that Burley sees a huge need for is an expanded library.

"What I want to see though is, when we build the new library, let's make it multi-use. Let's add in, and these are just some possible options, a youth cafe. The Over Fifty Club, they're bursting at the seams, they need a new location. Maybe a teaching and crafting art studio. More meeting rooms for the residents. Brownies and Cubs, they all need these room spaces."

A new recreation facility is also something that is part of the ten year plan, and he would continue to work toward completing that project. He says that project is planned to start consultations on that project in 2020, with construction beginning in the next few years.

Burley said his role as mayor would mean addressing healthcare needs by continuing to work with the provincial government, as that is their responsibility. Getting a hospital is the ultimate goal, but that is a stretch in his opinion. As a Councillor, Burley said he made the tough choice to support the Airdrie and Area Health Benefits Cooperative. While initially unsure of investing in a private organization, he eventually decided that any healthcare benefits added to Airdrie are a good investment. As mayor, he would continue to support that project.

Traffic is another area that Burley would work with the provincial government if elected mayor. He says there's a huge need for a highway overpass at 40th Avenue, which would help alleviate traffic. He also supports plans for a rail underpass at Yankee Valley, and thinks more underpasses are needed in the future as well. One other item that would keep traffic moving is light synchronization. Burley said part of the problem was out of date controllers on the traffic signals, which are now being upgraded and should help to keep traffic moving. Going forward, Burley believes the City needs to plan better for how road networks will be impacted by new developments.

When it comes to downtown, Burley has a grand vision.

"I envision a walkable destination. I see eclectic little shops, art galleries, the library. I see buildings fronting the street rather than parking lots. I see the parkades maybe two or three blocks out of downtown so you park there and then you walk in."

Burley thinks downtown redevelopment is important, citing a study that showed cities with revitalized downtowns on average have a return on investment of $4 to $1.

Burley thinks the current council made a mistake rolling out the Airdrie Main Street Square project the way they did, and takes responsibility for his part in that. He does still think the plan was good and would have benefited downtown. He also thinks most residents want to see some kind of improvement to the core. Ultimately, Burley said he wants Airdronians to stay in Airdrie on the weekends, rather than going to surrounding communities like Cochrane. Even better would be attracting visitors from outside of the city. That could be done with a vital downtown.

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com