8/8/2019 Ward 4 - Backs

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Edmonton Journal Civic Election Candidate

QuestionnaireDan Backs, 56. Running for Councillor, Ward 4

E-mail  d.backs@shaw.ca

Website www.danbacks.com

Twitter Facebook 

What are the three biggest issues in your campaign?

Your number one issue, and why?

Ehe City Centre Airport should be revitalized and remain open. Our City Centre Airport was one of the most successful airports inCanada before the airports authority took it over and started strangling it. Charter crew flights to the oilsands have vastlyincreased in recent years(86,500 seats in 2008 and far more now) and most have been forced to fly from the International. Crewand other regional flights should fly from the Muni, Our labour market would be more efficient and create more jobs with the Muniopen.

Number two issue, and why?

Community recreation, especially for children and seniors. We must look to creating more community activity in neighbourhoods.

Affordable business models for community leagues to create fabric covered rinks with artificial ice must be developed. 40 days of ice time with open rinks does not compare to 120+ with covered rinks that could be used for many other activities. We need morethan the big arenas.

Number three issue, and why?

The City must concentrate far more on it's core services. Police, Fire, Transportation, Recreation and snow removal must be doneefficiently with quality service. We must ensure proper staffing levels and quality service delivery and plan forward to deal with thedemographic timebomb of the retirement of the baby boomers.

Which should be a higher spending priority for council, LRT construction or road construction, and why?

Roads Although LRT is important, road travel is necessary for most Edmontonians. Many tens of thousands work outside the cityand the LRT is not accessible for most Edmontonian's jobs and other activities. Most of us will never see the day where roads arenot the most important way if getting around.

City council has turned down a motion to hold a non-binding plebiscite on keeping the City Centre Airport as a

general aviation facility. Should the new council reopen the airport issue?

.Yes Prepare a clearly worded plebiscite question that gives a clear choice between operating an efficient modern regionalairport with larger propeller aircraft servicing scheduled regional destinations, charter crew flights, aerospace research andmanufacturing, cargo and other keyfunctions for our economy or the alternative of closing the airport. In the meantime, ask theairports Athority to actually promote the Muni and restore key service levels. if this does not happen quickly, approach theprovince to create a separate authority for the City Centre Airport not affected by the present authorities clear bias to pulling

everything away from Edmonton to the International Airport near Leduc.  Do you live in the ward where you're running?

Yes

How important is social media to your campaign?

3 .

What is your favourite blog? danbacks.com

What is the last book you read?

Millenium

What is the last piece of music you listened to?

Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying too close too the Ground"

What is your favourite beer? Answer this question to humour Mark Suits, Edmonton Journal beer blogger

Canadian

8/8/2019 Ward 4 - Backs

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Favourite place in Edmonton, outside your home?

A walk in the quiet neighbourhoods of NR Edmonton

Three fantasy guests you'd like to have dinner with, and why? Can be living, dead or fictional

Marilyn Monroe, to see if she could really sing.Winston Churchill, to see him sip a few, smoke a cigar and tell the story of the Battle of Britain.

Wilfred Laurier, to tellhis story how he made the (correct) decision to make Edmonton Alberta's capital city.

What type of car do you drive? Make, model and year

GMC Sierra, 2007

What is the best advice you ever received Never forget your family, community and those you live and work with; they are a part of you