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Ano ang say ng Mayor mo tungkol sa North End?Kilalanin sina Michel Fillion at Robert Ouellette |
By Noel Lapuz
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Michel Fillion: “The quality of life reflects community, family unity, and culture. The three are very apparent and strong in this section of the city and is continuing to be strong.” |
Robert Ouellette: “I would ensure that there is an office connected to a community centre that is a place people can go and access city services. I would be found at the Wind Mill Restaurant enjoying a good burger.” |
Noong nakaraang isyu ay nabasa n’yo ang pananaw nina Paula Havixbeck at Mike Vogiatzakis tungkol sa North End. Ngayon naman ay tunghayan natin ang tugon nina Michel Fillion at Robert Ouellette.
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa darating na election, bisitahin ang website ng City of Winnipeg sa: www.winnipeg.ca/clerks/election/election2014
Ang North End ayon kay Michel Fillion at Robert Ouellette:
1. What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say,
“North End” and why do you say that?
Michel Fillion: The first thing that comes into my mind when I say “North End” is the word “mixture.” In my mind, it is the section of the city that has the most amount of nationalities per capita in the city. This mixture of people is what makes this section of the city the most vibrant. It’s like a stew, you have different ingredients but at the end, makes a delicious meal.
Robert Ouellette: I see Aboriginal people, Filipinos, newcomers in a place that has seen waves of newcomers for generations. I see a poor, but proud area of the city. I also see an area of the city that too many politicians have paid lip service to and ignored when it comes to offering real services to make the North End a great place to live.
2. What are your specific infrastructure projects that would benefit the North End area?
Michel Fillion: The specific infrastructure projects that would benefit the North End is basically, to fix or construct new replacement roads and sewer lines. This has been ignored for far too long in the past few years, and if we do not address it immediately, the cost will continue to climb at an alarming rate for the deterioration worsens with the years. Let’s do it now.
Robert Ouellette: I believe that the city needs to actually listen to the people who live there and gain an understanding about what they really want and the solutions that they feel should be put in place. Too often high thinkers and politicians propose solutions without actually having talked to the people before hand. My campaign is a about city planning, about who we plan this city for and thinking long-term. So I have no specific measures for the North End because many of the issues that are faced in the North End are across Winnipeg.
3. In terms of doing business in the North End,
how likely would you consider its potential to compete with other areas of the city?
Michel Fillion: The North End, in my eyes, has always been of its own entity. It always comes out with these extremely unique ideas, resulting from the nature of its people. Usually, these ideas are not displayed in other sections of the city, for they do not fall into the same needs as a whole, but do as a partial. Therefore the North End then competes with the other areas of the city.
Robert Ouellette: There is no need to compete because the North End businesses should be about serving the residents who live there. Economies function well when they are local and have a level of mixed housing between rich, poor, condo, social housing, duplexes, single family dwellings – so that a variety of business can be supported. Business can only thrive when there is good city planning, which ensures that the local neighbourhood is able have enough customer traffic to support those businesses. The city has been very negligent for decades in good city planning that considers these issues. We have allowed new neighbourhoods to develop at the expense of historic communities like the Norht End, which prevents long-term positive growth of local small businesses.
4. There have been negative impressions about living in the North End and raising your kids here, how would you change that?
Michel Fillion: I have seen in just these past years tremendous improvement in the North End. These negative impressions in my eyes are archaic. Remember, the “quality of life” never reflects money. The quality of life reflects community, family unity, and culture. The three are very apparent and strong in this section of the city and are continuing to be strong.
Robert Ouellette: You need to make it a priority. I know people in the suburbs who will never go there and when I bring my students from the University of Manitoba they become scared that something might happen. When you talk to people from across the city they all share the same dreams and desires. They want a better future for themselves, their children and grandchildren. You change perceptions by bringing people into the streets, by inviting people from across the city to festivals that should occur in the North End. You ensure that you are there everyday and are ready to be a participating member of the the North End and city. I would like to have a city council that holds its meetings in different parts of the city and the the North End would certainly be a destination of choice.
The city needs to ensure that civic administration is responsible – that they pick-up the garbage, remove those mattresses and old couches for free, that liveability by-laws are enforced, and make sure that the streets are cleaned and have colour and decoration to make it an inviting place for people who live there.
5. What is your favourite part of the North End? Why?
Michel Fillion: My favourite part of the North End is the revival of the historical houses and buildings. I am a history buff myself, and I do admire people and organizations that have a deep respect for its past. Remember, it is by learning and respecting your past that will lead you into your future.
Robert Ouellette: I love the people of the North End, because they are more important than the places. They are what make communities interesting. I would like to see greater support for community centres and ensure that different cultures that live there can create the neighbourhoods that they want.
6. If you win this Mayoral race, would you consider having a satellite Mayor’s office in the North End?
Michel Fillion: I do not know if there is a budget for this, but if there is, well then, why not? To be more accessible to the people is always beneficial for any politician for we see and hear the needs first-hand.
Robert Ouellette: There are too many politicians who have satellite offices but with no staff. I will be there so often [that] there will be no need for a mayor’s satellite office. I would ensure that there is an office connected to a community centre that is a place people can go and access city services. I would be found at the Wind Mill Restaurant enjoying a good burger.
7. What is your message to the residents of North End?
Michel Fillion: The message from me is, “You are not forgotten.” When it comes to elections, money is always a factor. Politicians play with this. My business has recently been attacked on this notion. The expression is out there – “poor people do not vote,” therefore politicians tend to veer to the more wealthy parts of the city to get their votes. I grew up on a farm, and by no means were there any luxuries. My partner grew up in the North End, and he grew in a very challenging way also. We are very familiar with the term “money” in both in its positive and negative connotations. I say “you are not forgotten” because you are just like us, Rick and I, and you will always be part of us.
Robert Ouellette: My message is that I know what it means to not have enough food, to grow up without the basic necessities. I care and will be there to listen but also to find the resources from all levels of government to ensure that my fellow citizens will reach their full potential and that our children will fulfill their destiny.
Sa susunod na isyu ng BNE ay abangan n’yo ang pananaw nina mayoral candidates Gord Steeves at Judy Wasylycia-Leis.
Si Noel Lapuz ay dating OFW sa Middle East (Dubai at Qatar). Nagtrabaho nang sampung taon sa City Hall ng Taguig bilang Human Resource Management Officer. Naging bahagi ng Bata-Batuta Productions bilang manunulat, entertainment host at stage actor. Nagtatag ng Kulturang Alyansa ng Taguig. Kasapi ng Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP).