We asked our regular comments contributors and our readers what they would do if they had Sam Katz’s job. This is what they had to say.

Eight years gone

If I were the mayor of Winnipeg, before reclining into my down pillows and silk sheets, I would spend 15 minutes each night thinking about what kind of city I wanted to build, and how I could build it.

The tire-spinning that has defined Sam Katz’s two-and-a-half terms has, of course, had good and bad (and disastrous) outcomes, but what they have singularly lacked is a vision for Winnipeg’s future.

Without vision, what are we voting on in mayoral races? If the two (three, four or five) candidates refuse to define their hopes for the city beyond anemic talking points, what points are there for voters to distinguish them?

The mayor must have known he would have to raise property taxes, he must have known he would have to beg the province for more infrastructure money. He must have known that his transit dreams could only be realized by
an off-hand user-fee hike.

Why does he prefer acting like a toddler who wants more sweets when everyone must know he’s at least enough of a business man to figure his books three years into the future?

The last state of the city speech was a joke, empty of all policy proposals except for a coy suggestion that Katz intends to seek another term. Apparently he needs more time to complete his work. The questions that we as voters need answered are, “What work is that?” “What vision do you have?” and “Why did you fail to complete it in your first decade in office?”

Steve Currie blogs at http://alotoftinyrobots.blogspot.com.

Walkable Urbanity

If I were the mayor, I would strive to transform Winnipeg into a more sustainable city based on the concept of walkable urbanity. No longer would developers of suburban neighbourhoods get an immediate green light. Instead, development would shift to focus on brownfield development by filling in the empty holes of land dotted across the city and increase density.

Through a collaborative inter-governmental process, local residents would be involved in decisions that affect their communities. Ultimately, the creation of detailed neighbourhood plans would incorporate broader planning issues such as active transportation and climate change adaptation.

My first action as mayor would be to push for the immediate completion of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor to the University of Manitoba.

Additionally, other rapid transit lines would break ground before the end of my term.

To ensure a successful rapid transit network, transit-oriented development would play a significant role. The planning and building of residential and commercial enclaves that are designed to be fully accessible by public transit
would be key parts to the transit network. All of this would be financed through borrowing on future property tax increases (tax incremental financing) and a two-cent tax on gas.

I strongly feel that when well-planned neighbourhoods take advantage of rapid transit in order to spark a renewal of their community, a higher standard of living can be created for their inhabitants. As mayor, this is what I would try to accomplish.

Michael Rac is a University of Winnipeg graduate. In September, he will begin studying for a Master’s degree in City Planning.

Pragmatic and progressive

If I were the mayor of Winnipeg, I would consult the city’s diverse and knowledgeable community organizations, policy think tanks, business/labour groups and academics to develop innovative, grassroots and effective approaches to address our most pressing issues.

According to the latest results of the city-funded Probe Research Most Important Issue/Concern Facing Winnipeg, Consistent Top Issues, Winnipeggers’ top three issues are crime, infrastructure (roads) and poverty.

If I were the mayor, I would maximize existing police resources - focus on the effective Organized Crime Unit. I would establish an independent Civilian Review Agency.

I would invest in community centres and programming, increase staff and extend hours to give at-risk youth a positive environment.

I would assign social workers to community police officers to answer high-recidivist domestic violence incidences, helping families cope rather than splitting them apart.

I would create a comprehensive map of road conditions, and fix them in order of severity, providing internships to city planning and engineering students.

I would be innovative in testing and investing in new road surface technology, including mixing of pavement types for residential, sidewalks and high-traffic roads.

I would reign in urban sprawl, provide incentives for downtown development, eliminate surface parking lots, protect existing green space and modernize zoning.

I would develop a strategy to address the needs of Winnipeg’s aging population.

I would implement incremental inflationary tax increases over 3 years and optimize available resources, reducing inefficiencies.

I would develop a strong poverty reduction strategy for Winnipeg that includes targets, timelines and indicators of success. I would invest in subsidized and safe social housing in a variety of neighbourhoods across the city.

I would support community organizations, Community Economic Development projects and Neighbourhoods Alive! initiatives.

Finally, for fun (and tourism revenue), I would commission a Glenn Murray-style legacy project: a “Gateway to the North” monument, like St. Louis’s Gateway Arch, London’s Marble Arch or Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.

David Jacks was president of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association in 2007-2008, and is currently majoring in international development studies and rhetoric, writing and communication at the U of W.

Jennapeg: One Great City!

Not to be a complete narcissist, but if I were the mayor, my first order of business would be to change the name of Winnipeg to “Jennapeg.” Let’s be honest, as a television personality, I do have narcissistic tendencies - and it has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

I would change the full-time work format to a 10-hour day/four-day work week. Included in that amendment is a mandatory afternoon siesta and an alcohol optional daily Happy Hour, in which the additional two hours a day
would be spent. This would foster a well-rested, mentally healthy and socially connected workforce.

I’d introduce urban agriculture to Winnipeg with a Rooftop Garden Project. All new buildings could be outfitted with city-funded rooftop gardens to help us grow our own food, help in the absorption of carbon dioxide, reduce air pollution and reduce heating and cooling bills. They also look pretty.

As the city wraps up its first phase of bus rapid transit, I would take public transportation in a different direction.

I fell in love with the Underground in London, and think Jennapeg would benefit from a subway system. I have a lot of local music shows to get to and theatre to immerse myself in, and I want to get there fast!

Recorded subway announcements will, of course, be delivered in a British accent. Mind the gap, please!

And that’s only the beginning…

Please note: cost-effectiveness and feasibility have been ignored in my big plans for Jennapeg.

Jenna Khan is the weather and entertainment host for Breakfast Television on Citytv.

An end to malathion

If I were the mayor of Winnipeg, I would end malathion spraying, not only for the obvious environmental reasons but as a matter of principle. To use a biblical metaphor, which I think is apt since Winnipeg mosquitoes resemble a pre-exodus plague, stopping malathion spraying separates the wheat from the chaff.

Winnipeg was built by strong women and men who, for God only knows what reason, chose Winnipeg to hunt, fish, trap and later farm instead of much easier climes such as Tampa.

But those that came here stayed, collaborated and rebelled together. This spirit of mutual camaraderie and stoicism that comes with living in such a harsh but beautiful landscape still exists in this city despite societal pressure towards convenience. Yes, the summer is short, mosquitoes are a nuisance and the city thankfully is moving towards more biologically sensitive options.

But to continue to have malathion as a back-up seems like an affront to all that Winnipeg stands for. 

Winnipeg is full of innovative survivors. Not spraying for mosquitoes strengthens our resolve and our respect for fellow citizens. Those are two qualities that are good to be reminded of.

Lucas Redekop grew up in southern Ontario and has lived in Winnipeg for the past nine years. He currently lives in West Broadway and studies at the University of Winnipeg.

Supermodels and strong communities

As mayor, I will hire supermodels to serve free champagne on city buses, an idea I’d be borrowing from marketing guru Rory Sutherland. People will complain that the ride is too short and you’ll need bouncers at bus stops to make sure the lineup doesn’t get out of control.

Strong communities are the best security system, so I will sell the police helicopter and use the funds saved for a “Get To Know Your Neighbour” program including free supplies for block parties. The obnoxious clatter passing through our bedroom windows at 1:00 a.m., reminding us to believe we live in an incredibly dangerous place, will be replaced by joyous laughter.

To ensure more leisure time, incentives will be provided to businesses who consider four days to be a full work week.

Any car with an alarm blaring will be fair game for legalized graffiti. Gas sold within city limits will be taxed severely. The funds will go towards planting trees. We’ll be the forest city. Naturally, this will increase tourism dollars more than any museum can and we’ll use that tax revenue to subsidize local beer.

We can’t be everything to everyone. Let’s not bother trying to please those who want life to be drab or think it’s cool to wreck the Earth. Calgary already has that niche covered.
Instead, let’s make Winnipeg heaven for folks who want incredible and ethical lives. People will flock here.

Lyndon Froese, 26, is in his fourth year of semi-retirement. He is the co-founder of the House Party of Canada, the tiny political party stealing the tactics of the advertising industry to make a more kick-ass Canada. Visit www.thehouseparty.ca.

Party downtown

If I were the mayor, I would not extend parking metre hours or double their rates downtown. I would close Portage and Main this summer for a “Get Together Downtown” festival.

I would also get Jets games aired on the giant screen at Portage and Notre Dame.

I would also ride my bike or take a bus everywhere to promote this alternative to automobiles. The transit system would be reevaluated and revamped.

I would make the city better. 

Huy Nguyen is a student.

Social welfare resources key

If I were the mayor of Winnipeg, I would maintain a small budget to help provide funding to social welfare resources such as Osborne House, a safe shelter for women and children seeking refuge from domestic violence. Osborne House is an especially important resource that has been in the news as of late, as city council rejected their request for $450,000 in funding to make up for declining private donations.

The patrons of Osborne House are largely brought to the shelter by police responding to domestic assault calls.

The Winnipeg Sun recently reported that 17,000 domestic violence calls to police were made in 2010 and they outnumber other calls for service by two to one.

Through the shelter, the city’s women and children are offered a lifeline to escape from unstable situations that could erupt into deadly violence, as in the case of the March 24 murder of a woman in her Jefferson Avenue apartment by her domestic partner (who committed suicide).

The City has ostensibly pledged their support to human rights through providing the Canadian Museum for Human Rights with $20 million in funding, including a $5.1 million capital contribution.

My budget to provide funding for social welfare resources such as Osborne House would clearly illustrate to Winnipeggers that I am concerned about the human rights of our citizens in the here and now; by enabling resources to continue to provide for all members of our community, I would support the growth of a healthier, happier City of Winnipeg. 

Erika Miller is a student at the University of Manitoba.

From the grassroots up

While my Anabaptist convictions tend to make me ill at ease with the idea of holding public office, the question of what I would do as mayor of Winnipeg has crossed my mind on many occasions. Whenever I do so, I wrestle in the tension between pursuing my vision for our city with while still representing the expectations of Winnipegers, even when they might contradict my convictions.

Perhaps I am simply idealistic.

Many of the civil servants of Winnipeg, some of whom have served us for decades, not only possess great experience and wisdom, but also have the benefit of not having to worry about re-election. Among other things, this gives them insight into what the city needs in terms far greater than a few short years. I would give a great deal of attention and authority to people, from the Chief Administrative Officer down to every sanitation employee.

I would also work hard to nurture a city identity that is encompassing and not just a matter of good PR.

In other words, instead of claiming every high point as an achievement of our city, yet criticizing the crime of this neighbourhood or that, I would want every Winnipegger to genuinely have a sense of ownership of our whole city - both the good and the bad - regardless of where they live.

Then, I would do what I could to empower those residents to find creative ways to make our city a better place from the grassroots up.

Jamie Arpin-Ricci lives and works in the West End. He is a pastor and the author of The Cost of Community (IVPress/Likewise Books, 2011).

The kicker

If I were the mayor of Winnipeg, I’d spend most of my time in Phoenix and kick children in the head.

Jared Story is a freelance writer and comedian.

Cleaning up

If I were the mayor of Winnipeg, the first thing I would do is halt the redevelopment plan for Winnipeg’s city-owned golf courses.

My second order of business would be to make Winnipeg an environmental leader by implementing local food, clean air and greenhouse gas emissions initiatives. Along the same lines, I would also begin an active living initiative to make the city more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.

After that, I would explore the possibility of negotiating service contracts with academic institutions such as the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Red River College and Canadian Mennonite University so that students pay for transit passes through a modest student fee. The passes would be valid for the term in which the fees were paid and would guarantee funds for transit while providing students with a paid-for alternative to using a vehicle.

My final goal would be to clean up city hall. I would hire an integrity commissioner and conduct an administrative review to make city hall more accountable.

And on the seventh day I’d probably rest.

Britt Embry is the copy and style editor at The Uniter.

Published in Volume 66, Number 26 of The Uniter (April 5, 2012)