Talus Dome, Lucy, Climate Change and more: Twitter questions meriting longer answers

June 29th, 2013 in 2013 Campaign, A beautiful city, A fair city, An environmentally responsible city, Arts & Culture

I’ve received a number of inquiries through Twitter since I announced my candidacy, many of which I was able to reply to within the 140 character limit; however, the staccato format really doesn’t honour the complexity of some questions. So I thought this might work better.

 

We’ve learned a few things from the public’s mixed reaction to the Talus Dome. Personally I like it, but that’s because I’ve seen it from below on the Fort Edmonton road, where it’s quite striking. It’s not as impressive from the freeway at 80kph. I think what the Edmonton Arts Council (which manages public art on behalf of the City) learned specifically was that we should avoid single large public art commissions, especially next to roads. Council agrees too. Instead, the 1% for art program works much better when we commission a few pieces, like the lovely collection at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre (see here and here for some pics and background). Then people can like one or another. Divvying up the budget to smaller but still significant projects also allows more chances for local artists to successfully compete for the projects. That’s the post-Talus Dome direction for the public art program and I support it.

 

Overall, the Charter for New Urbanism has good design principles. However, I think each city has its own context of history, politics, economics — its own inheritance — so I’d rather explore how these principles apply in an Edmonton context than try to fit Edmonton to a generic charter. That said, the points on the necessity of good regional planning are especially relevant to us. The Capital Region is very fractured, which makes it hard to singlehandedly improve design – ideally there is a regional standard we would all aspire to. It’s a good set of principles, but no City could achieve this vision in one step — we have to be realistic about that.

 

This one wasn’t necessarily directed at me, but for the record I do believe the science is settled, that climate change is real, and human activity is part of the cause. It’s hardly a radical idea these days. But it’s why I pushed for unequivocal language and hard targets around greenhouse gas emissions in the City’s Environmental Strategic Plan. It’s the only strategic plan Council’s approved that didn’t pass unanimously — which to my mind means it tested Council’s comfort zone, which we should do from time to time. (You can see the minutes of who voted for and against here — click on item 6.14.)

 

Changing this would require amendments to the provincial Municipal Government Act, so strictly speaking it’s not the City’s decision. In any case, the city grants exemptions for all kinds of community functions, from community leagues to affordable housing. Religious assembly is a not-for-profit community activity, and many of these organizations provide space for day care, scouting, music and drama performance. I support maintaining the exemption.

 

In short, I remain confident that her caregivers and their physicians are acting in her best interests. My position on this is unchanged from when I wrote about this in 2009. I do not see cause to politicize Lucy’s veterinary support with a to-and-fro of duelling experts.

 

I included this one even though I’ve already replied because it was a very interesting question, and I continue to reflect on it. There are duelling expectations out there: firm resolve is important, but it is also true that things do change. This is one of those “you can’t please all of the people all of the time” questions that crop up in politics. In fact, politics exists to deal with the tough questions that divide us. Leadership is about knowing when to make the case for the potentially unpopular course, including a change in course. But for leadership to occur, people need to be open to persuasion. That requires trust — which is a delicate commodity in this business. The point is, democracy is a two-way street — which is why all of these questions are important.

I’ll do this again from time to time. I can’t promise to answer every tweet that comes my way, but I’ll try to get to as many as I can to address a wide range of issues. I’m glad to see the engagement — I’m always happy to talk and exchange ideas.

16 thoughts on “Talus Dome, Lucy, Climate Change and more: Twitter questions meriting longer answers”

  2. Adam, he responded in more detail to questions he received on Twitter. If you have something you feel is more relevant that you’d like an answer to, either read his positions on his webpage or pose a question of your own.

  4. Don,

    Edmonton’s wayfinding system is disjointed, disconnected, and dissuading. I challenge you to spend one hour in the pedway tunnels below the library and observe all the lost pedestrians.

    If you become mayor, will you put real money behind a wayfinding project, such as those in London, NYC, or heck, even Calgary?

  5. @Laura Kidding! Religion, animal rights, and pricey public art are NOT easy topics. Don’s faith in reasoned dialogue is courageous.

  7. Councillor Iveson:

    Canada (the second largest country in the world) as a whole contributes just 2% of green house gas emissions. The City of Edmonton’s emissions would seem to be much lower. Isn’t your stance that some councillors’s rejection of the City’s Environmental Strategic Plan.is a result of ‘testing comfort zone’ an undeserving derision?

    Your contention that “..firm resolve is important, but it is also true that things do change..” is an excuse to flip-flop your position to serve your interests and not those of the citizens. To believe your justification means that anything you promise or commit during the current mayoral campaign is not necessarily your final position, after the election IF you are elected Mayor..

    Care to expand further on your thinking?

  8. During our current Mayor’s time in office, we’ve seen Edmonton make:

    *exceptional improvements in public transit
    *moved ahead with important capital programs (new Walterdale bridge and the arena)
    *seen vast improvements in downtown
    *cooperation amongst the cities & towns in metro Edmonton

    I sure hope we don’t elect a regressive mayor and step back into the dark ages!

  9. I’m looking forward to a more progressive Council and I’m confident that you have the right approach and vision, Don. However, your response re Lucy is disappointing. What we need is for a Mayor and Council to not reiterate what they have been told to be true, but instead to have the courage to examine the other side of the story.

    Lucy suffers from arthritis, obesity, chronic foot ailments, and upper-respiratory problems—all of which are further aggravated by Edmonton’s frigid climate, which is ill-suited to an Asian elephant. Lucy has also been alone for more than 30 years, spends most of her time in a small, barren barn, and exhibits behaviour that indicates severe psychological distress. Elephant experts who have reviewed medical records obtained by the groups have stated that Lucy’s health will continue to deteriorate if she is not moved to a sanctuary, where she would enjoy a suitable climate, ample space, and the companionship of other elephants.

    The Valley Zoo has failed to properly diagnose and treat Lucy and continues to deny independent experts access to examine her.

    CBC recently covered this in a documentary “The Elephant in the Room” which summarizes the issue very clearly. And, quite frankly, paints our zoo in a very poor light.

    http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2012-2013/2012/11/theelephantintheroom.html

  10. mr. iveson, where do you stand with respect to the millions of dollars that have been spent on the capitol city clean up (including extremely expensive advertising on multiple radio, tv and print outlets) specifically on the eradication of street art in this so called ‘city of the arts’?

  11. Hi Don,
    I don’t think much of the new bicycle lanes on 40 Ave between 122 St and 106 St. I believe they are confusing, dangerous, and have converted a four lane corridor into a two lane corridor deleting a bus lane.
    I don’t think any future on street bike lanes should be marked until there is a complete evaluation of the existing lanes. Separated off street designated bike lanes are more much safer.
    Cheers

  12. With the election drawing near I’m closing in on a decision re: my vote for mayor. While I like the majority of what I see from Don Iveson, I have to say I also am disappointed with his stance on Lucy the Elephant. I watched the fifth estate documentary: The Elephant in the Room and have done a bit of research on my and am quite frankly just embarrassed that this city continues to turn a blind eye to a situation that is obviously not in the elephants best interest. Relying solely on the opinions of the very people in whose best interest it is to keep her locked up here seems baffling to me, and the result is we have an international embarrassment on our hands. I would strongly support any candidate who would agree to a third party unbiased assessment of the situation, it seems to me this issue has gone on long enough to at least warrant that.

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