Mayoral Candidate Narine Sookram's Platform
I believe our city needs a fresh vision based on our diversity and the creativity of our citizens. In Kitchener there are lots of great ideas from both citizens and city hall staff waiting to be developed. The good news is I have the passion and ability to engage our city and create a culture of innovation. I would like to lead a city-wide engagement strategy aimed at building stronger, more vibrant neighbourhoods. I also intend to make our city prosperous for all residents and an example for others to follow.
People First
Neighbourhoods First
Every Dollar Counts
Greener Kitchener
Arts
I believe our city needs a fresh vision based on our diversity and the creativity of our citizens. In Kitchener there are lots of great ideas from both citizens and city hall staff waiting to be developed. The good news is I have the passion and ability to engage our city and create a culture of innovation. I would like to lead a city-wide engagement strategy aimed at building stronger, more vibrant neighbourhoods. I also intend to make our city prosperous for all residents and an example for others to follow.
People First
- People and Neighbourhoods First: this is related to prioritizing people over cars, e.g. bike trails, safer biking facilities, etc
- Greater democratic engagement: use technology to enable people to suggest and vote on new ideas, neighbourhood and city issues as well as budgeting.
- Identify every opportunity to help create more subsidized and supportive housing, assist those living on the street and reduce the causes of homelessness
Neighbourhoods First
- Ensure a human scale to neighbourhood development and ensure full and transparent communication with neighbourhoods regarding consideration/implementation of any supportive services in their area.
- Assist any neighbourhoods that want to establish a website.
- Work with citizens to create a 1, 2, 3 kit to help neighbourhoods deal with the city and access resources to deal with difficult situations. It is not enough to help neighbourhoods celebrate, they need help when they have challenges.
- Have Council do a tour of each neighbourhood once per term prior to council meeting in the neighbourhood where neighbourhoods would have input in the agenda.
- Create strong partnerships between schools and recreation centers for family fitness and health.
Every Dollar Counts
- Emphasis on innovation, and no waste.
- Initiate a detailed investigation into our assets and liabilities, income, and expenditures as a first step
- Establish a Volunteer Financial Watchdog Team who will monitor Kitchener’s finances.
- Financial information needs to be open to the public and provided in a timely manner; ensure availability online in an easy to understand format.
Greener Kitchener
- Encourage the entire community to be involved in green decision-making
- Fund or co-fund citizen tree planting both in parks and on boulevards
- Land must be developed in a sustainable manner
- Encourage more community gardens, lawn gardens and boulevards
- Collaborate with Apartments and Condos to encourage greater recycling and green bin opportunities
- Review city fleets to ensure smaller and greener cars are purchased
Arts
- Commit to working with Arts organizations to create a structure for local artists to highlight their talents. Find ways to assist artists make a living from their talents by providing business training and knowhow to help jump start their businesses.
- Provide continuous support through ongoing training and participation on existing community events