Kasey Etreni
My name is Kasey (Taylor) Etreni, and I
am a candidate in the Councillor at Large race.
1.
Businesses
are frequently the targets of crime and on the front line dealing with societal
problems in the area; what steps do you think should be taken to ensure businesses
are protected and our community is safer to explore, shop, work, and play in.
I feel
that a safe and peaceful community starts with the people. In order to ensure that businesses are
protected, and the community is safe to explore, it is important to ensure that
the area is perceived as safe. Increased
police foot and bike patrol while businesses are open will help visitors to the
area feel safer and more protected.
Regular clean-up of the area makes the area more welcoming. In particular, the installation of garbage
receptacles on street corners may help with some of the litter, and
predetermined areas for safe needle disposal will keep the area clean and
welcoming. If feasible, I would like to
see some additional funding provided to businesses in the area to support
upgrades to their security systems (including a buzzer system to enter if
necessary) and to support regular clean-up of the area.
Having
safe places for people who are vulnerable to visit will reduce the amount of
time spent in business locations that are not meant to deal with the societal
problem. Customers need to feel safe
visiting the businesses for the area to flourish.
2. What is your impression of the Fort
William Business community? What is one thing that is done well and what is one thing
that needs to improve?
I think the Fort William Business
Community is a cohesive group with a common goal of growing the area,
encouraging future business development, and increasing safety for employees
and customers. The group seems very
determined in their wish to develop the area as the second downtown core in our
city. Many businesses in the area have
been in business for a very long time and seem quite committed to remaining in the
area. This is very positive!
In terms of what has been done well, I
think the businesses in the area are a community all on their own and greatly
support each other. Active business
owners try to maintain, beautify, and enhance their businesses. The BIA is a
strong voice that aims to advocate on behalf of the business community in the
area and works with the community and municipal partners to address safety and
the perception of safety in the area.
The businesses in the Fort William BIA appear to have a great rapport
and partnership with the City Police.
The new Vacant Building Bylaw might
present an opportunity for the BIA to work with the City to revitalize the area
by dealing with those businesses that are no longer taking care of their
property which leaves other businesses at risk for loitering, drug use, and
rodents. These vacant buildings will be
dealt with and will improve the area’s appearance.
In terms of areas for improvement, the
one thing I worry about is trying to do too much, too quickly. The process will be a slow one. The ideas presented at the 2021 AGM were
good. I appreciate that there was a
change in leadership in the BIA over the past year. Fresh ideas always help to clear the path for
growth. Due to Covid, many proposed
events were either not well attended, canceled, or required more
marketing. I suggest that it is now time
to re-examine those minutes and move forward with some of the ideas. Now is the time to act! About events, because of the perceived safety
concerns in the area, the events must be well timed, so they don’t compete with
other big events happening in the City. It is also important to ensure that
there is sufficient marketing to announce the event, what the event will
entail, and the safety protocols to be implemented. The BIA will want to ensure that the event
marketing is clear that the event is welcoming to all citizens and will be safe
for all to attend.
3. With the revitalization of the downtown
Fort William project underway there is no planned community center for the area
after the project is completed. Victoriaville provided an important and safe
gathering place. What vision do you have to recreate a similar environment for
community connectivity?
I think
the revitalization of the downtown Fort William project will give the city a
great opportunity to examine what can be provided in terms of a safe gathering
place. Given the proximity to the
Shelter House, this area is naturally a gathering place for many of the
vulnerable and inadequately housed members of the population. Rather than discourage it, I would support
the development of safe and inclusive meeting places. The Brodie Street library is convenient to
the area, and if it is feasible to do so, this could be a great safe place for
gathering. I would also like to explore
the options of increasing availability at Shelter House (through additional
funding provided by the city). There are
many churches nearby, and perhaps one of those could function as a safe
gathering place.
In
order to increase overall safety for the community (real and perceived), the
city needs to work with the BIA to come up with ideas to keep the vulnerable
safe, warm in the winter, cool in the summer and provided with shelter for all
inclement weather. I would be open to meeting with the BIA to come up with
ideas to provide gathering areas.
Kasey
Taylor Etreni – At Large