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ELECTION 2014: Candidate QandA with Rosemarie Bongers

Candidate QandA with councillor candidate Rosemarie Bongers in Sidney
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Rosemarie Biongers

Occupation:  Businesswoman, owner of Avalon Spa.

Background:

Twenty years in Sidney. Education with York University.

 

1.  Why are you running for council?

The taxpayers deserve good, sound, professional judgement.

I feel I need to be a presence in the decision-making process. I want transparency for all. It’s not about me, it’s about us.

 

2.  What are your top three issues to tackle, if elected?

1. Affordable, not subsidized, workforce housing.

2. Preparing for the impact on Sidney resulting from two proposed high-density malls.

3. Keeping to a quaint, seaside theme, unique and exciting for both residents and visitors.

 

3.  Is council’s relationship with the business community adequate and what would you change if elected?

The current council is not sympathetic to the business community.

It is vital that a council be in place to reduce excessive taxes. It is my opinion that decision-makers during a recession not increase, but decrease, taxes. Once the other malls come, they will entice businesses and employees away from Sidney, leaving a ghost town with a nice walking path along the ocean.

 

4.  What sort of balance should Sidney seek to achieve on its waterfront land?

The waterfront land is leased to the Marker Development Group. Do the taxpayers want to see two more Pier Hotels obstructing the waterfront? Do we want a cosmopolitan theme for Sidney, or seaside quaint?

 

5.  How would you contribute to people’s enjoyment in living, working and playing in Sidney?

I have many ideas but ideas cost. We do need a three-tier parking facility. We need to increase parking zone time. We need the police to be more forgiving.

Both Iroquois Park and Tulista Park are under utilized and forgotten even by the BIA. I would like to see more functions in that area of town.