By Louise Hayes
Word on the street is that traffic congestion and tax breaks are the top two municipal election issues.
Fifteen people were questioned in the Sparks Street Mall and on the corner of Elgin and MacLaren about their opinions on the upcoming election.
They were asked what they felt the main issue was in general for the election, then what the main issue was for downtown voters.
The top three answers to the first question were tax breaks, maintenance of services in the amalgamated city and school closures.
“I think making sure that all the services that we have in the City of Ottawa are maintained and that they make accessibility an issue as the bulk of the population ages will be important,” said Sue Pomroy, a Centretown resident.
Joe McCoy of Stittsville had the most popular answer: tax breaks.
“With the restructuring, people are looking for a reduction in their taxes. They’re going to have to take a hard look at the expenditures and make sure it comes into reality.”
“I’ll be most interested in the candidates’ views on the school closing,” said Laura Gunn of Centretown. “I know they are planning on closing down the Elgin school and that’s something of interest to me.”
Traffic, development and school closures topped the downtown priority list.
“Less congested streets, more opportunities for people to walk and less cars,” stated Sotos Petrides, also of Centretown.
Ian Robertson, another Centretown resident, was more concerned with school closures and development.
“Preserving the downtown as a living environment and keeping it open for a mix of things like business and living is important,” said Robertson.
Those surveyed who did not live downtown, mentioned the same issues.
“I guess with the growth they need to make sure it’s controlled and there’s an equal split between residents and businesses so it doesn’t become a dead core,” said McCoy.