Lack of sidewalks, ditch infilling issues in Ward 9

Four candidates hear concerns at the door that council is not paying attention to outlying areas of Charlottetown

Gladys Stewart has been asking city council for a sidewalk on her street for the last 10 years.

“It’s really the most important thing to me,” she said.

“When you’re out walking the dog or just out going for a walk, with increased traffic in the area, I’d just feel safer with a sidewalk,” she said.

It’s an issue all four of the candidates running for Charlottetown city council have heard on the doorsteps of Ward 9 Stonepark, which takes in part of Sherwood and East Royalty.

“There’s a lot of little children in this area now, which for a long time there wasn’t,” said Gordon Gay, one of the four candidates vying for the Ward 9 seat.

“The lighting needs to be definitely improved along with the lack of sidewalks.”

Missing sidewalks and lighting in this ward has left some residents feeling a little overlooked by city council.

“People don’t see that they’re getting their fair share,” said Helen Flynn, another candidate.

“Several people have told me that being beyond the downtown, they feel like they’re forgotten.”

Candidate Thane Arsenault said he too has heard from residents who felt their concerns are not being heard. That’s why his campaign promises include holding town hall meetings every year.

“There’s seven different (neighbourhoods) in Ward 9, so it would be nice to try to do a four or fiveyear plan to spread the financial obligation out and to make sure every voice in Ward 9 is heard,” he said. Another big issue in this ward is ditch in-filling. Many homeowners in this area have ditches bordering their properties and want them filled.

In 2003, Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee promised to fill every ditch in the city, but Philip Brown, who is challenging Lee for mayor, has criticized the $16 million spent filling ditches while more pressing infrastructure projects have been on hold. Stewart got her ditch filled about five years ago. She says it was a safety concern.

Her car slid into the ditch next to her driveway one winter. In the spring and summer, it’s difficult to mow the lawn.

“I was scared of falling and cutting or injuring myself,” she said. “It was a safety issue.”

Melissa Hilton, the incumbent councillor, says these issues, as well as a proposed major development in the area, are just some the many concerns she has heard going door to door.

“I don’t feel Ward 9 has been neglected,” Hilton said.

“There have been

improvements on sidewalks and ditch infilling, it is a very large ward, and there’s a lot of different needs and wants and every issue and concern is important.”

Ward 9 is also the only one in the whole city with any female candidates. And since they are running against one another, there exists only the possibility for one of them to be elected.

Hilton says she does not know why more women aren’t running for municipal office, but says she hopes to be a role model for others and her two daughters by doing so herself.