Regina Civic Politics

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by yveseluj

Does she have a website or anything with stated policy positions?

This is my main point of concern with her. And certainly as the campaign goes on it might change. But from her announcement, all I saw were broad platitudes, I struggle to see how she is different from Fougere at all other than a "fresh face".

She wants to revitalize downtown, ok, how would you do that? She wants to bring in new businesses, great, how do you want to do that? Provide value for tax dollars, cool, what will you support cutting or changing?

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by yveseluj

Does she have a website or anything with stated policy positions?

sandraformayor.ca

[jigglysquishy]

Her website has zero details.

All in all, very low quality field of candidates.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Her website has zero details.

All in all, very low quality field of candidates.

Still feeling change is needed for the mayors office.

[LittleBoy]

Originally Posted by Kegger

This is my main point of concern with her. And certainly as the campaign goes on it might change. But from her announcement, all I saw were broad platitudes, I struggle to see how she is different from Fougere at all other than a "fresh face".

She wants to revitalize downtown, ok, how would you do that? She wants to bring in new businesses, great, how do you want to do that? Provide value for tax dollars, cool, what will you support cutting or changing?

Agreed, this might be a bit of a red flag. I agree with her platform on the surface but the absence of any details and how she'll achieve her goals is concerning. Plus the fact she is announcing her candidacy so late makes me think she hasn't fully fleshed out a strategy that is actually achievable.

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by LittleBoy

Agreed, this might be a bit of a red flag. I agree with her platform on the surface but the absence of any details and how she'll achieve her goals is concerning. Plus the fact she is announcing her candidacy so late makes me think she hasn't fully fleshed out a strategy that is actually achievable.

Again, my opinion on this can certainly change a lot if more information comes out. But the slickness of the website and announcements, contrasted with no detail and priorities that seem to appeal to everyone, gives me the impression this is just a chance for her to raise her public profile before jumping to another level of politics.

If she starts adding more details, and discusses how she would vote or vote differently on city issues, I might change my mind.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

The simple fact that she didn't say she would try to freeze property taxes and Fougere did is reason enough.

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

The simple fact that she didn't say she would try to freeze property taxes and Fougere did is reason enough.

I agree with your sentiment there. My issue is she DIDN"T say anything about property taxes, just.... we will get you value for money (whatever that means). At least I know where Fougere stands on the issue.

[CCF]

Election is coming up fast....
Masters seems to be the most likely to unseat Fougere - but what is the likelihood that this might actually happen? It's always tough to beat an incumbent...

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by CCF

Election is coming up fast....
Masters seems to be the most likely to unseat Fougere - but what is the likelihood that this might actually happen? It's always tough to beat an incumbent...

Always tough to say, especially when turnout is so low. Last election was 20% I think? I would guess this election will be 15% or lower. If the city made it easy to vote by mail, I think it would be higher, but their process is still ridiculous.

[Kegger]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/fougere-campaign-event-regina-mayoral-1.5770088

As someone who used to take the bus every day, and still takes it downtown regularly. This seems like an ok idea, waiting on 11th avenue for a bus is not great and people walking on the sidewalk are often stuck behind people waiting for a bus... however, I am undecided if the Lorne street plan will improve anything. Anyone else have thoughts on the matter.

The walkway to the stadium seems like a no-brainer as it was supposed to be built anyway.

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by Kegger

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/fougere-campaign-event-regina-mayoral-1.5770088

As someone who used to take the bus every day, and still takes it downtown regularly. This seems like an ok idea, waiting on 11th avenue for a bus is not great and people walking on the sidewalk are often stuck behind people waiting for a bus... however, I am undecided if the Lorne street plan will improve anything. Anyone else have thoughts on the matter.

The walkway to the stadium seems like a no-brainer as it was supposed to be built anyway.

I'm like you, Kegger. I used to take the bus to work - in fact, two buses to get there and two buses to get back home. I still take the bus to downtown three times a week, as well as to get to other locations as need be.

I actually think the transit stops along 11th Avenue works very well, and am against them being moved to Lorne Street. To me, that would be an awful change. First of all, why are merchants wanting it moved? Most likely because their customers complain that they can't pull up to the door of their business? What a load of crap! Having the buses stop along 11th Avenue brings a lot of business to these merchants. If I have to do a transfer, I can easily wait 30 minutes for the next bus and run into a store in the Cornwall Centre, and then head back to my bus. There is no way that this would happen if I had to walk two or three blocks each way.

Fougere seems to think buses block traffic and people crossing the street(!)
First of all, buses do not stop in the middle of a pedestrian crossing. The only time it might seem like they do is when there is an idiot ahead of them blocking the lane or pedestrians jay-walking. Having the buses stop along 11th Avenue also brings a sense of security to many people ...safety in numbers, so to speak. And Fougere also stated in this article that it is "simply just around the corner, just half a block away". What nonsense! The buses line the street from Scarth Street Mall all the way to Lorne Street. That's two blocks. There is also more shelter from the buildings along 11th Avenue, and places you can duck into if the weather is bad.

Anyway, I think this is a bad idea and will be calling Mayor Fougere's Speak Out line to let him know my feelings.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by CCF

Election is coming up fast....
Masters seems to be the most likely to unseat Fougere - but what is the likelihood that this might actually happen? It's always tough to beat an incumbent...

Rumor has it she is doing well.

[yveseluj]

It'll be a two-horse race between Masters and Fougere, I imagine.

As for removing buses from 11th Ave., I'd rather they go in the exact opposite direction and make it bus only with super wide sidewalks that are partially covered at points. Lean in to making it a hub.

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

That would have been feasible if the city didn’t screw up 12th Ave.

I agree 100%

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by Kegger

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/fougere-campaign-event-regina-mayoral-1.5770088

As someone who used to take the bus every day, and still takes it downtown regularly. This seems like an ok idea, waiting on 11th avenue for a bus is not great and people walking on the sidewalk are often stuck behind people waiting for a bus... however, I am undecided if the Lorne street plan will improve anything. Anyone else have thoughts on the matter.

The walkway to the stadium seems like a no-brainer as it was supposed to be built anyway.

I find the panhandlers between Hamilton and Scarth create more congestion than the few people waiting for the bus.

Fougere says half a block, but for those that catch the bus in front of Hamilton/11th then it's more like three blocks and it is a crazy cold wind many days.

For the most part, I don't find it that bad. There's not much pedestrian traffic East/West on 11th anyway, most is North/South down Scarth and Cornwall to the park. They would probably need to realign Lorne as bi-directional again. Not sure it really buys them anything at all. More traffic by the library and park instead of the Cornwall which gives take out places like Tims a lot of traffic. I know I stop in to the Cornwall on the way home to grab something from Shoppers quite often. Would probably just hit the drug store closer to home if I'm pressed with an extra few minutes walk to Lorne.

It isn't going to stop me riding the bus, but I don't think it is that big a problem for the thirty minute rush in the morning and after work that there is any significant amount of people waiting for a bus.

My summary: waste of time and money for a problem that isn't really there.

[StealthGirl]

Moving buses off 11th is just one more step to pushing people off the buses entirely. I'm not sure that's in the city's best interests.

[Kegger]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I find the panhandlers between Hamilton and Scarth create more congestion than the few people waiting for the bus.

Fougere says half a block, but for those that catch the bus in front of Hamilton/11th then it's more like three blocks and it is a crazy cold wind many days.

For the most part, I don't find it that bad. There's not much pedestrian traffic East/West on 11th anyway, most is North/South down Scarth and Cornwall to the park. They would probably need to realign Lorne as bi-directional again. Not sure it really buys them anything at all. More traffic by the library and park instead of the Cornwall which gives take out places like Tims a lot of traffic. I know I stop in to the Cornwall on the way home to grab something from Shoppers quite often. Would probably just hit the drug store closer to home if I'm pressed with an extra few minutes walk to Lorne.

It isn't going to stop me riding the bus, but I don't think it is that big a problem for the thirty minute rush in the morning and after work that there is any significant amount of people waiting for a bus.

My summary: waste of time and money for a problem that isn't really there.

So I guess my perception is different because I already get on the bus close to Lorne and 11th, so the idea of a better waiting area on Lorne is attractive to me, as it doesn't really impact me negatively. I find the current waiting areas are often full, and of course in the cold of winter they are ok, but could be a lot better protection.

I find the congestion, and I notice this a lot, is right at 11th and Cornwall west of the Transit Office. There is congestion on the other side of the street but less so. However, the other side of the street highlights the issues with having 11th as the waiting area as I notice a lot of people have no where to sit in that area. I am undecided if the idea is a waste of money, however, I do somewhat disagree that there isn't a problem at all. I feel a better waiting area with protection from the weather would be an improvement.

[HomeInMyShoes]

@Kegger: agreed that the interest is probably based on where you work and where you catch the bus. That will be the case for users. You are right, depending on which side of the street you are on can make a difference on perceived traffic as well.

But, moving it isn't going to make the waiting areas any better. Right now, people that know schedules can pop into the Cornwall for 5 minutes.

They just put in new shelters on 11th. Those weren't cheap and I can't imagine moving them is cost free. I just don't see moving it addressing a problem that exists outside of very limited times.

I suppose my snarky comment would be: heaven forbid that we have pedestrian traffic on a downtown street.

[cityboy]

I think it makes sense to move the buses. If the city wants to help foster a retail district on 11th with available on street parking, then the buses don't make a ton of sense there. It's kind of cross purposes. The life at street level has slowly picked up on 11th, especially on the West end. Lorne Street would possibly offer a chance to use the supposed federal infrastructure money to build a purpose built hub and information kiosk with shelters repurposed from 11th. It wouldn't mean you can't have stops on 11th, just move the main transfer points. I think they could maintain the stops 11th and Cornwall and 11th and Hamilton with perhaps only strategic routes passing there, like the express routes. Future use could have them loop around to Sask Drive which would facilitate BRT routes that connected to Lewvan and Arcola. Just my two sense. We really need a proper hub and info kiosk. I'm thinking something similar to what Winnipeg has in their downtown. Just my two cents.