Age: 52
Education:
I have graduated from St John's High School and I have completed several industrial courses required for the different levels of business that our group of companies provide service for.
About You
Have you ever previously run for or held office?
A lifetime ago I ran for the Federal Reform Party as I was intrigued by the process. The party policy that most impressed me was the MP was accountable to the voter of the ward that they represented first, and the party second. In our Federal party system this was unheard of, but it captured my attention. When the Reform party joined with the Alliance party the policy that attracted me to politics was abandoned and me along with it. If you can't help your neighbourhood first in a elected office, then leave the party and just make it better while living in it.
Have you ever been a member of a political party?
I was a member in the Federal Reform Party. It was an exciting time and the experience of concerned, like minded individuals working for a common goal reminded me of the parents at my local community center. All working together for a common goal, maybe not all agreeing on how to obtain the results but still working together.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I have always been a person to get involved when asked to help, so when a group of business owners and local residents asked if I would consider putting my name in the "hat" I obliged them. I have witnessed our ward get farther down the list of importance at the council table. Our current councilor has a reputation for being difficult with the ward residents and the other council members. We require a councilor who will work with cooperation in mind in order to progress our ward concerns. I have 30 years of private sector business experience and the one thing I am very sure of is in order to progress our ward concerns you have to work well with others.
What are the biggest issues facing your community?
In our ward we have an ever shrinking business tax base which puts more pressure on residents. We need to have a business friendly environment at city hall to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in our ward and city.
Our infrastructure has been neglected for 25 years and now we have to focus on the required investment and repair of our systems. Brown drinking water, sewage systems that "spill" into our river, aging civic buildings and property that have been "patched" for 30 years has to be addressed.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
As a child I was sent to live with my grandparents on the farm for a couple of years while my parents dealt with their alcohol and drug addictions. I never let my situation taint my personality and I used this life lesson to make me stronger as a person. I am a glass half full individual, I have a saying that "It can always be worse". I know this for a fact! Sometimes adversity can be the mechanism that makes you strive to be a better person.
I really get pleasure from planting flowers as well.
About your platforms and policies
What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?
I will be voting NO, on this issue. The reason why is we are sending a message to the business owners who are paying taxes in the concourse that they are not a concern to the city. If the city limits the foot traffic to the underground will it also decrease the amount of taxes to these business owners when this project is implemented? I believe we shouldn't "fix" something that is working.
What actions should the city take to progress toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians?
This city stood too quiet while the negotiation for the old Kapyong Barracks was underway. I grew up in North End Winnipeg and I consider myself fortunate to be able to experience the wide array of culture that the North End had to offer. The city had an opportunity to extend their water service to other municipalities for financial compensation but didn't because they didn't want to pay water royalties to the First Nations Band where Winnipeg gets it's water supply from. This was a missed opportunity to be inclusive in life and business with First Nations. I would not have passed on that opportunity. If future opportunities present I would encourage city council to embrace these chances.
How can the city tackle growing problems with drug addiction?
The municipality of Winnipeg lacks the legal authority to create our "own " set of rules that I feel are unique to our city. The Federal and Provincial Government hold all the power and control over this issue. These levels of government are in control of Public Health and the Judicial system which I feel that drug addiction fall under. These levels of governance must properly fund our police department so we may provide the tools required to address this issue. The federal government is going to legalize marijuana and offload the responsibility to the Province and they in turn are going to do the same to the city. This will put ever pressure on our first res ponders but will Ottawa provide the required funding to the city to meet the fiscal requirements for continued manpower and training?
Tell us about something you’ve seen in another city that Winnipeggers should consider implementing here.
I have had the pleasure in travelling for my business and I have witnessed public transportation systems that are designed to stimulate use. Most large cities have invested in transit that moves people without the demand of the automobile. In some cities it can actually cost more to use a personnel automobile for commuting.
Find out more about Micheal Wiens:
http://mike4mynarski.wixsite.com/mysite
https://www.facebook.com/Mike4Mynarski-2024375427602220/
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