Infill development on minds of all three River Heights-Fort Garry candidates

A trio of candidates will compete to become the first new city councillor in River Heights-Fort Garry since 2009.

Coun. John Orlikow, who won the seat in a byelection, is not running for another term.

Georgina Sabesky, who served as Orlikow’s executive assistant for 17 years, is now one of the candidates vying for the council seat.

Sabesky said that job gave her ample knowledge of the ward.

“Working directly with residents really does give you a heads-up because you have a better understanding of that particular area,” said Sabesky.

She listed easing heavy traffic, separating combined sewers and ensuring new development doesn’t disrupt, or clash with, existing neighbourhoods as key concerns.

An up to $757-million project to expand Kenaston Boulevard is needed to curb congestion and make the route safer, she said.

“Kenaston has failed, and what that means for residents in Linden Woods, as well as River Heights now, is that all of that extra traffic is flowing through the streets of our communities. We need to do the Kenaston project so we can suck the traffic out of those communities and calm those communities back down,” she said.

Sabesky said new rules for infill development, such as minimum yard sizes, could also help ensure new homes fit well in existing neighbourhoods.

Sabesky lives “just outside” River Heights-Fort Garry, but said she grew up in the area and has very strong ties to it.

Sara MacArthur would also bring some city hall experience to the role.

MacArthur, now the general manager for Camp Stephens, worked as a municipal policy adviser to the executive policy committee secretariat from 2004 to 2008.

“Having a city planning background is a really important piece (of my effort) to make our city more vibrant and healthy and thriving in the long term. I’ve spent my whole career engaging community, seeking out different voices and perspectives and coming up with plans and programs,” she said.

MacArthur grew up in the ward, where she continues to live.

She promises to convene a crime and safety forum, noting she’s heard many concerns about stolen bikes, garage break-ins and the city’s’s addictions and mental-health issues on the campaign trail.

The forum would include police, provincial officials, community safety organizations and residents, she said.

“We’re a stronger voice when we’re a united voice,” said MacArthur.

She would also review infill guidelines, following complaints some new construction leaves road, sidewalk and back lane damage behind.

“We can’t be having residents in the surrounding area suffering the ill effects long after infill is complete,” she said.

Her vision also calls for River Heights-Fort Garry to become the most dog-friendly ward in Winnipeg. She would support more canine spaces and pet-friendly housing to move toward that goal.

“Dogs do help to build community. They get people out on the street. The more we’re connecting with each other, the stronger off we’re going to be,” she said.

Jorge Requena Ramos, the artistic director of the West End Cultural Centre, is also competing for the council seat.

Requena Ramos said he became interested in city politics when he received an expropriation notice for his now-former home near Kenaston Boulevard. He plans to push city council to cancel the major road project.

“It’s fantastically expensive to do it. Kenaston is a highway running through the middle of a residential neighbourhood. That has severe consequences for the neighbours,” he said.

Requena Ramos, who grew up in Mexico City before moving to Winnipeg 23 years ago, now lives in East Fort Garry but said he remains closely tied to River Heights-Fort Garry.

He promised to work to make the area more vibrant.

“It means slowing down the speed in residential neighbourhoods. We also want to add to the density, carefully, with better regulations, to the neighbourhood without changing the character of the neighbourhood,” he said.

He supports a 30 km/h speed limit on residential streets and a 40 km/h limit on collector routes.

While the area needs more rental and affordable homes, the city must take measures to ensure new homes offer sufficient parking and quality construction, he said.

To prevent petty crime, he said the city should focus on tackling poverty, such as by ramping up investment in community programs that offer youth productive ways to spend their time.

Election day is Oct. 28.

joyanne.pursaga@winnipegfreepress.com

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