Kris Samraj Kris Samraj

The Role of Mayor

Understanding the legislated powers of mayors and councillors in Alberta helps set expectations for how municipal councils are intended to function. Alberta’s municipal governance model prioritizes collective decision making. This model has benefits, but requires high level teamwork skills from mayors and councillors.

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Political reform Kris Samraj Political reform Kris Samraj

Political reform #2: Pay police commission members

City council needs help. Paying library board and police commission members would strengthen those boards and acknowledge the power of these independent boards. Serving on these boards develops the same types of skills required for serving on city council. We need be intentional about developing strong council candidates. Leaders are created, not born.

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Political reform Kris Samraj Political reform Kris Samraj

Political reform #1: Neighbourhood decision making

City council needs help. The unresponsiveness of city council is due to the concentration of decision making power. This causes a bottleneck. Divesting some decisions to the neighbourhood level would alleviate some of this burden. It helps everyone and engages more people in politics. But we need a neighbourhood proof-of-concept first. This is a big thing I'll be working on off council, starting in my own backyard—the SE Hill.

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Medicine Hat politics, Economy Kris Samraj Medicine Hat politics, Economy Kris Samraj

Why downtown warrants special attention

Most people don't live near downtown. Many have little reason to visit downtown. But there are good reasons why this neighbourhood deserves special attention.

It is the centre of local tourism, but also suffers from the highest rates of social disorder. It borders a beautiful river, but access is cut off by River Road. It has the most history of any neighbourhood, but many of the buildings are empty or derelict.

This is our oldest neighbourhood. The problems we see here will eventually play out in every neighbourhood. What we learn in helping downtown we'll be able to use to revitalize other areas.

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