Rajni Agarwal- At Large Candidate
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.
The down town core of the south ward has been instrumental
in business and service from prior to Thunder Bay amalgamating. The
reduction to the vibrancy of the area can be overcome by adding more foot
patrol officers and having more clean up by Business (if debris is Business
related) and by the city if it is citizen based. We need a
cleaner presence to revitalize the south core. The by- laws are in place and
they should be enforced when required. The presence of the police
on patrol will make a safer presence. And most importantly ensure that the
SOS van be reinstated as a full time permanent service to help the
vulnerable. This will alleviate the challenge to police and
ems.
More community cameras which can be manned with vocal
responders. I know for my apartments I have cameras which I can review
the common areas. These are monitored with my phone. I can also
speak to the folks who are misbehaving right from the comfort of my home.
The camera has a recorder and a microphone. If they know big sister
or brother is watching then they may think twice for causing damage.
To have Business prosper we need to be sure have the
business’ safety in mind. Broken windows and crime cost a lot to
Business. Most of the time it is not worth going through insurance
as the fear is losing insurance in the future or rates increasing.
People want to start business and the south core has some
very affordable and flexible zoned properties to allow for the business to
locate there. As a community we need to take care of the streets
and what is happening there. Then the business will relocate there and
this will yield in extra revenue for our city. Various start up
start in the south core and are moving as soon as they are growing due to the
fact some consumers are not comfortable to walk around. Moving is
very expensive. We need to keep business in the south core.
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?
My personal belief is that south core has done a much better
job in getting activities down to the area. Events and community markets
are great to bring crowds together. The more people we bring down to see
what is available the better. Some may have not known of the shops and
services that exist.
For improvement we need to encourage folks to use the benefit
of the downtown improvement grants. There is up to $25,000 per business
available for improvement from our city. The application process and time
line for responses should be made quick. The present application process
requires 2 estimates (one should be sufficient as the owner should be able to
decide on whomever they wish to hire as they are paying 50% of the bill.
The application is a bit cumbersome for a small business to complete.
Small business has enough work in trying to run their business. We
should assist the owners with the application process and then maybe they can
get the work done within the short construction period we have.
3. With the
revitalization of 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?
The cost of maintaining such a covered structure as
Victoriaville is very high. Once the roadways are open again then
business will attract to the area. I would recommend outdoor
walkways with pop up markets. So street markets throughout the
summer. And then the patio restaurants to enjoy the area. People bring
people. And business only thrives with business.
For the winter months we should have a larger commercial
place converted into a community center area. There could be a business case
made to make the facility self- sufficient. By having hall rentals etc. it
would be something to think about.
We also need to remind ourselves of the great space available
at the Brodie St library. This facility is available to each of us as
citizens. The library has a hall space to use for everyone. This
is a very under underutilized space. We should revitalize the use
of our fabulous library.