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, Nicole Proseilo addresses your issues.

Council candidate Nicole Proseilo said the reason she wanted to get involved in municipal politics this election is to address Airdrie's growth.

Proseilo said Airdrie needs more infrastrucutre. She believes Airdrie's roads are at capacity due to growth, and the City needs to have a long term plan to sustain growth. She feels Airdrie has not had a long-term plan for growth, and that is something she'd like to address if elected to City Council next month.

For Proseilo, growth is inextricably related to traffic. Proseilo explained Airdrie needs better road systems, better timed lights, and underpasses at the railway to keep traffic moving.

"I think we also need to consider, when we make roads, will this support the people? Will this take us ten years down the line? I feel that Airdrie has not considered that as a long term plan."

Proseilo believes an improved transit system is also a way to address traffic problems in Airdrie. Besides being good for the environment, Proseilo thinks a better transit system would alleviate some of the congestion in the City. Proseilo would like to look at ways to make the transit system self-sustaining so that it doesn't fall completely on the shoulders of the taxpayer. She also would like to examine better ways to use transit to get residents into Calgary.

Another issue related to growth is the need for community facilities. As a figure skating coach, Proseilo is aware of the need for more ice in Airdrie, and in talking with Airdrie clubs she's found there is also a need for another swimming pool. Proseilo believes one way to address the need in Airdrie could be bringing in a local YMCA. That could address some of the leisure and recreation needs while the City works on addressing competitive needs. Ultimately, she believes a multiplex facility could address many of Airdrie's gaps.

"I think what we need to do is look at how can we do this in steps and stages. We can't do it all at once because that's expensive to everyone, and I don't think people want property taxes to increase. That's not what I'm here to do."

In regards to downtown, Proseilo said she looks at the question a little differently than her fellow candidates. Drawing on her background in conservation and museums, she believes the City needs to leverage what already exists on the way to making Airdrie's core vibrant.

"I think that we need to look at what we have. We have a lot of built history here. Whether it's built in the 80's or 90's, that's still built history of Airdrie, and I think we need to look at what we have and what we can do to conserve that and create a viable downtown."

Proseilo said downtown needs to be attractive to businesses and needs something unique to Airdrie that encompasses the city's identity. She's hopeful that downtown can incorporate some sort of space for the arts as well.

Proseilo is quick to acknowledge that healthcare is a provincial issue, but she still believes the City has a role to play. She believes Airdrie does need a hospital, and would make noise as a Councillor in the hopes that the Province will address some of the healthcare gaps in Airdrie.

 

 

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