Amarjeet Sohi, Edmonton Ward 6 Councillor

Toward a better fee structure for City rec centres

On Monday, Council’s Community Services Committee will look at a proposal to change the fee structure for using City rec centres. The new structure would make monthly and annual passes cheaper for most users, but would increase the single-visit cost by an average of about $1.

The goal is to lower costs for most users by making sure they’re not paying for more than they need. It’s a good principle, and I support it.

There are some bugs, though. The new proposal is good for most users, but people who use the Mill Woods Recreation Centre and not the Kinsmen will have to pay about $20 more for an annual pass. UPDATE (NOV. 2): We were able to adjust the proposal in committee today to resolve this issue. The new model will come to Council for final approval in December, and I think most users will be happy with it.
 

City to consider pilot speed limit reduction in neighbourhoods

At today’s Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting, Councillors passed a motion to prepare a pilot project to reduce speed limits in three to five neighbourhoods. The pilot will let us evaluate whether lower speed limits could reduce collisions and injuries citywide.

City staff will put together a proposal for the pilot, and Council will decide whether to implement it in March 2010.

I’m a strong supporter of reducing residential speed limits. In March, I attended the International Conference on Urban Traffic Safety, and learned from world experts about the danger posed by speed. If a pedestrian is struck at 50 km/h, the chance of fatality is 90%. At 30 km/h, the chance of fatality is 10%.

Today, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) showed Councillors the results of a survey they conducted throughout the city. Results were clear: many Edmontonians think 50 km/h on their neighbourhood streets is too fast.

Welcome to Sohi.ca!

Thanks for visiting the new Sohi.ca! A new website is part of my commitment to making it easier for you to get involved.

As an elected leader, involving citizens in Council decisions is a fundamental responsibility. A healthy democracy relies on citizens being informed and involved, but the onus is on leaders to be accessible and to make information available.

The ways that we’ve reached out to citizens in the past are positive, but they’re no longer enough.

In a changing society, not everyone can spend a day at a Public Hearing, so we need to be online and available. Not everyone reads a printed newspaper – we need to get information directly to you so it works for you. Not everyone has time to phone their Councillor, so we need to be open to online debate.

Above all, we need to respond to your needs.