As you know, I’m running for Mayor of Saanich and gearing up for elections that are coming up fast. It’s a big undertaking and I need your help to get there!
For more information or to find out how to get involved, please visit my campaign website! www.cubbs4mayor.ca
I’m running for Mayor because I think Saanich needs a leader who recognizes that our quality of life depends on how well we shape growth and manage our mobility.
We need to diversify our mobility choices, but instead we see a growing disconnect between land use and transportation. At our largest commercial development ever, situated on a key transit corridor at the region’s hub, transit was left out entirely. Clearly we missed a key opportunity. I believe we have to do better.
Having served as a Councilor and Saanich MLA, I’m strongly connected to this community and I share its desire to grow more sustainably. Saanich has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint, and endorsed a vision for growth based on mixed-use centres served by quality transit, cycling and walking corridors. Yet this vision seems mostly lost in translation. As your Mayor, I will work to reconnect our vision to concrete actions consistent with our growth management strategy.
While Saanich is progressive in many areas – like providing parks and playing fields – the walking environment isn’t one of them. Sidewalks are often rudimentary or non-existent, even on major roads and around some schools. Our community plans speak of priority improvements, but Saanich has been slow to move on them. As traffic congestion builds and our community ages, the need for safe, attractive walking environments only grows. I think we can do better.
Traffic and transit issues will always be prominent in Saanich, as much of the region moves through our community daily. We have no choice but to be leaders in managing impacts and diversifying choice, but too often we seem to shy away from challenges. Whether it’s safety at Sayward Road, congestion at McKenzie/Admirals, or moving forward on a rapid transit system that gives commuters an attractive choice, we seem to want to put our heads in the sand. There’s no magic bullet for transportation issues – but there are opportunities to build partnerships with senior governments to invest in alternatives that get us moving while shrinking our carbon footprint. I think we should be seizing those opportunities when they appear. I’m convinced that we can do much better!
I’m asking for your support for Saanich Mayor this November. I believe it’s time for a change, and I’m hoping you’ll agree. My campaign website is here: www.cubbs4mayor.ca
Thank you,
David
David Cubberley
David
David Cubberley
