Dean Washington won the last spot on city council in the last election and is "fairly confident" he can retain his seat this month.
On the doorstep, the publisher is getting kudos for council's efforts to keep property taxes low, he said, and the first-term councillor believes he has brought a new perspective to city hall. "I've asked a lot of questions. I didn't wait for things to happen."
But more needs to happen. A former vice-chair of the downtown Business Improvement Association, Washington said he wants better lines of communication between the PoCo BIA and city hall. Downtown business issues are usually relayed through city staff and are "not a priority," he suggested.
Downtown retailers are competing against big box outlets in Dominion Triangle and a city strategy is needed to rejuvenate the area around Shaughnessy Street.
Washington said he would like to market the core to certain businesses and create a common plan for investors. He's not in favour of the current retail below/residential above concept as shops often sit empty. There's also the conundrum of affordability when older buildings are replaced.
At the city committee level, Washington chairs community safety and is the vice-chair of healthy community, which incorporates the arts and culture. He freely admits the arts are not his area of expertise but he has pressed for a plan for Leigh Square Community Arts Village. "Not a lot is happening there," he said.
On the policing front, Washington is against recruiting more Mounties at this time. "The crime rate is not going up and more growth doesn't necessarily mean you have to keep hiring."
As for the Fremont connector, Washington is mum. "I feel whatever the route it is, it's not going to be built for a long time," he said, adding Cedar Drive and Burns Road require immediate attention.
Website: deanwashington.ca
