Pagtakhan retains seat in Point Douglas

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This article was published 24/10/2014 (4376 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He might just be the mayor of Point Douglas.

Mike Pagtakhan will serve a fourth term as councillor of the northwest Winnipeg ward, holding on to his Point Douglas seat in last Wednesday’s civic election.

According to unofficial results, the incumbent councillor garnered 4,701 votes, or 46.1 per cent, putting him well ahead of runner-up Rebecca Chartrand and her 2,024 votes (19.86 per cent).

“It feels really good. It’s a real privilege to serve,” Pagtakhan told The Times the morning after the election.

“It’s an honour to serve in elected office. It’s a humbling experience to be elected. I was so nervous, because you never know what the outcome could be, but we campaigned hard and it paid off. I’m looking forward to accomplishing more and ushering in the best phase of Point Douglas.”

Pagtakhan, 44, who was elected to Point Douglas ward in 2002, said his first order of business in his fourth term is the issue of the Arlington Bridge. A city report from earlier this year stated that the 102-year-old bridge needs to be replaced or decommissioned by 2020.

“It’s a very significant structure in our city and it’s an important conduit for crossing over the rail tracks. We need to make sure that it remains a viable transportation link between the North End and downtown,” Pagtakhan said.

“We’ve got some money for the city to commission a community consultation along with a transportation and feasibility study looking at different routes. The city has to do its due diligence and understand there’s a case to be made for the Arlington Bridge, but I’m already convinced it needs to be done. I don’t need to see any more studies with regards to Slaw Rebchuk Bridge or widening the McPhillips Street underpass; I know the best route is Arlington.”

Pagtakhan said one option for the Arlington Bridge that’s being tossed around is the idea of closing it down to vehicular traffic and opening it up exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists.

“That’s a no-no. I think that’s a real safety hazard, because you couldn’t have proper patrolling up on the bridge,” Pagtakhan said. “We have to keep it open for both pedestrians and vehicles. When I was at the door campaigning, a lot of people were surprised that (closing the bridge to vehicular traffic) was an actual option. It’s not an option. It’s a significant route and we have to keep it open.”

Other upcoming projects for Pagtakhan include building a gymnasium at Tyndall Park Community Centre and a fitness trail in Rose Hill Park.
Pagtakhan said he’s also looking forward to working with the seven new councilors at city hall, along with the newly elected mayor Brian Bowman.  

“When I first got elected, I remember the huge learning curve in the first couple years, understanding the terminology and the process and everything,” Pagtakhan said. “I know what my new colleagues are going to go through so hopefully I can give them a hand on some things.”

Pagtakhan also defeated Anthony Ramos (1,871 votes, or 18.36 per cent), Dale White (1,165 votes, or 11.43 per cent) and Anne Thompson (429 votes, or 4.2 per cent) to retain his seat.