Dear Cambridge Citizens, As many readers are aware, the local media has not provided full or fair coverage of the mayoral debate, one-on-one interviews, or the candidates’ platforms. As a result, I am writing to you directly to highlight my platform and action plan. My platform is based on resolving the 6 main issues facing Cambridge today. These core issues are to: 1.Expand affordable housing; 2.Create a vibrant downtown cores; 3.Create opportunity for youth and skilled trades; 4.Encourage business activity in industrial parks; 5.Improve public transit and commence Go service to Milton-Toronto direct; and 6.Improve traffic flows. What makes me a suited candidate for Mayor? First, I have 40 years international experience of running manufacturing businesses, along with commercial land development, real estate trading, and mortgage brokerage experience, which allows me to view the City in a perspective that is different and unique from a career politician, or an academic. Second, because of my past experience, I have a long list of established contacts of investors, developers and builders, educational and political leaders who can be called on or partnered with to tackle the issues that plague our City in a timely manner. Third, my involvement on various community and social groups have groomed me with the social skills and diplomacy needed to work with city council to restore Cambridge to her the former glory, and propel her the to next phase of prosperity. In regards to my platform issues, I have real time solutions that can be applied. Affordable housing: 1.I commit to NOT implementing a municipal land transfer tax 2.I will review the Citys current decision to take over the collection of water billing from hydro, which has caused undue hardship to many families via over-billing, and has discouraged investment in multifamily dwelling; if necessary, water billing will revert back to the way it was. 3.I will work with the Citys planning department to make minor adjustment to zoning bylaws and density requirement without compromising safety to lower construction cost 4.I will work with council to streamline the building permit process to cut expensive delays in start up of new housing project. 5.I will look for creative way to help the developers of Brownfield properties in an effort to help revitalize areas currently neglected by many developers. 6.I will explore the how not-for-profit corporation in partnerships with the private sector may be able to quickly create a large stock of affordable housing. Vibrant downtown core with diverse sector of services. 1.I will initiate a face lift program for the downtown cores to improve the street view of old buildings by offering monetary and non-monetary incentive in an effort to making downtown a viable option of businesses. 2.I propose to merge the 3 separate Business Improvement Associations (BIA) into one umbrella BIA to begin about a real and final amalgamation of Galt, Preston and Hespeler communities. The purpose of amalgamated BIA will remain to promote and excel local businesses. Opportunities for youth and skilled trades 1.I will work with the appropriate partners to create programs for students to interact with business leaders so students may gain working knowledge of the business work and improve their confidence. 2.I aim to design trades and shop training programs that are run by the city, which would fill the void in our education system without interfering with the School Board. 3.In keeping with the concept that the City is a large business in of itself, I will work with city council to create programs that would showcase the various disciplines within City Hall, such as planning, designing, building, construction, electric, and plumbing that would provide students the opportunities to better pick a suitable career path. Business activity 1.I propose to build an Expo/Convention center coupled with Multiple sports complex at one suitable location. This will be 3P works: Public-Private-Partnership project; requiring little or no money from the city coffers. From the beginning of this project, several hundred jobs will be created in the construction industry, and related services and supplies. This will be a magnet to attract other businesses from large centers to locate here and create more local jobs; the creation of a sports facility will allow our youth to excel and keep fit. User fees for local students will be geared to family income for greater access to all students. Public transportation in Cambridge and connect to Ayr 1.As your Mayor, I will demand Cambridge has better representation on the regional council in regards to issues involving public transportation. 2.I will negotiate with Grand River Transit Authority to link Cambridge and Ayr by regularly scheduled bus service; a needed service given the number of youths from Ayr who attend school and work in Cambridge. 3.I will work with all partners to put the idle railway station on Malcolm St. back in to service to accommodate a direct commuter train to Union station, Toronto, via Milton. Traffic flow 1.My immediate task will be to improve our relationship with the regional council; convince them to stop building any more roundabouts; and widen existing ones. Some may need to be taken out and revert back to 4 way stop or lights, due to the space limitations. 2.I will bring a common sense approach to local planning. For example, my first directive to our traffic division will be to find any re-routing possibilities of our current roadways. One way traffic at certain areas is another possible way to smooth the traffic flow. In addition to my main platform ideas, other areas that I intend to focus on include youth engagement and quality of life and the environment. In regards to youth engagement, under my leadership I intend to create a committee to work with social service agencies in the city. The mandate of this committee will be to address social issues and complaints under one roof. Here I see an excellent opportunity to engage youth. This committee will have one board member from local high schools. All schools will choose that one representative on a rotation method, once every year. After experimenting with one social segment, we can expand this program in to other areas such as safety, security, public health departments, for larger engagement of youth in municipal government. As to preserving the quality of life and environmental integrity of our city, all new development be required to go through rigorous environment impact studies to justify its purpose. Preference will be given to developers of “Brownfield’ and infill properties. In addition, new housing development will require to have a pre-set ratio of affordable housing. A fund will be established to maintain equipment of public parks and playgrounds. I propose bike lanes along non-commuters routes, policy to ensure all neighbourhoods have sidewalks and safe crosswalk to encourage walking and outdoor play. And finally, I will also bring forward the motion to adopt a car share program to encourage carpooling and decrease the number of households with two or more primary vehicles. We are now very close to choosing our next council and mayor. Before you head to the polls think about the future of our youth, of our unemployed skilled trades workers, and the long commute many of you face on daily basis. I have proposed you solution to most of these issues. As any of my past business associates will tell you, I work long 18 hour days on any project I start until it is completed with satisfaction. I want to see all our vacant business and industrial areas humming during my tenure of Mayor. It is your right and responsibility to vote. The choice is yours to make. But I assure you if you vote BHOGAL you will be voting for Better Cambridge and a Brighter Future for you and our future generation. Thank you and best regards, Sardool Bhogal Candidate for Mayor of Cambridge
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:34:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015