Incumbent on offensive during mayors debate
Clifford Lee defends decision to fill ditches in Charlottetown
Incumbent Clifford Lee fired back at his ditch infilling detractors Wednesday morning.
In the most interesting exchange at the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast mayoral debate, Lee defended the decision to spend up to $18 million over the past decade on filling ditches.
Lee took part in the debate with fellow mayoral candidates Philip Brown and Keith Kennedy.
When moderator Alan Duncan took questions from the floor, Frank MacEachern, a candidate in Ward 3 (Brighton), asked the mayor how he could justify spending that kind of money when there are so many other priorities.
MacEachern said Lee might as well have gone up in a helicopter and thrown the money out.
Lee shot back “it’s great for someone who wants to represent a district in Charlottetown that doesn’t have any open ditch systems’’ to be critical.
Lee explained that it’s part of an important storm water management system that provides an equal level of service for all citizens since everyone, from Winsloe to the downtown core, pays the same tax rate.
Lee said seniors complain about getting in and out of deep ditches with lawnmowers and the danger of those ditches filled with water when children are around.
And, Lee said without the infrastructure from underground storm pipes the city can’t give residents sidewalks on top of the ground.
“We want senior citizens to be able to stay in their homes as long as they possibly can. I’m sorry but seniors can’t climb in and out of ditches with lawnmowers,’’ Lee said.
Brown said he’s not
against filling ditches but it shouldn’t be a free-for-all. He spoke about the need for specific criteria.
Beyond that exchange, the three candidates stuck pretty much to script, trotting out the same message they have since the campaign began.
Brown said he wants to improve accountability and transparency and bring the city into the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation (FOIPP).
Kennedy hit on a couple of his promises more than once — to bring free Wi-fi to the city and provide low income bus passes, both initiatives that would stimulate the economy by putting more money into people’s pockets.
On broadening the city’s tax base, Kennedy hit on the Wi-fi issue again while Lee pointed to success being made in that area now — Invesco is expanding, the old Sam the Record Man building and the old Sally Shop on Grafton Street.
Brown said people need to be able to invest in their homes and business, promising a five per cent commercial and residential property tax cut.
In another question from the floor, businesswoman Jennifer Evans spoke about concerns about safety between the Atlantic Technology Centre on University Avenue and City Hall, referring to possible criminal activity.
Brown and Kennedy talked about improving the lighting while Lee said the answer lies in tackling the bigger issue, things like mental addictions, and working with the police department. Kennedy also promises to increase the police budget by 25 per cent.
The line of the day, perhaps, came from Kennedy who ended the event by commending Lee for doing a great job as mayor over the last decade as he gets ready to hand over the keys to the mayor’s office to him. Mayor Lee laughed and said he has no intention of handing over the keys.