I began this blog with a post highlighting why I chose to run. Today, in my final post before Monday’s election, I want to highlight my vision for my the ward and for the city. A large part of this vision is to see all of 118th Avenue restored from Abbotsfield all the way to NAIT (and, potentially, onto the airport lands) as a north side “main street” with vibrant shopping, arts and community districts, and smaller scale equivalents elsewhere in the ward.
To get there, we need to start in our communities. We have come a long way in the neighbourhoods that bound on 118th Avenue, after decades of neglect. Refreshed infrastructure including new sidewalks, roads and decorative features have made areas like Beverly and Alberta Avenue more walkable. New businesses, restaurants, festivals and other events such as farmers’ markets have started to coax residents from their home and onto the avenue. (continue reading…)
This blog post follows up on the campaign pledge announced in my recent video “The Car-Free Campaign.”
Transit, bicycling and walking are not only great ways to save the city money, but they’re great ways to save Edmontonians money – something I know from first hand experience. And so, as a car-free Edmontonian with no intention of changing should I be elected, I pledge to donate at least half of my vehicle allowance to charity. Councillors are allotted approximately $6,500 per year (or approx. $20,000 over a three year term based on current vehicle allowances). (continue reading…)
As a car-free Edmontonian, I often spend time thinking about the roles that walking, biking, and taking transit play in moving people around our city. My bike has been particularly helpful on the campaign trail: it’s an inexpensive, efficient, and reliable way to get around. I often use transit to fill the gaps, but we need to improve service: extend the LRT, overhaul the route network, increase frequency, and extend service hours.
As part of my commitment to keeping transit as accessible as possible to all Edmontonians, I pledge to donate at least half of my council vehicle allowance to the ETS Donate-a-Ride program and to other local groups to help fund their transportation needs. Find more on the campaign pledge contained in this video here.
Ward 7′s neighbourhoods are changing for the better, and we need to embrace and own that change to build communities that work for us. At the same time, we need to preserve what makes our part of the city special.
You can also find video from the candidate’s forum on Tuesday night posted on the city’s website. Brendan’s opening comments begin at the 25 minute mark.
As a proud resident of Alberta Avenue, I have had a front-row seat to Ward 7’s inspiring rebirth. As a board member of my community league, local social worker, regular volunteer at The Carrot, and transit advocate, I have worked with you to make our neighbourhood and city a better place to live.
We’ve come a long way, but to go further Ward 7 needs a councillor who lives in and understands our community – someone with a positive and proactive vision and the courage to move forward. On October 18, I hope you’ll lend me your vote.
[Ed: This is the third in our series of posts from campaign team members. Next is Bryan Saunders, Publicity & Media Coordinator. If you are interested in an interview with Brendan, contact Bryan at BSaunders@BrendanVanAlstine.ca]
When Brendan first told me that he would be running for city council, it hardly came as a surprise.
After all, I’ve known Brendan for about 3 years now, and have always been awed by the passion that he has for his community. (continue reading…)
As some might already know, I love my bike – cycling is one of my favourite activities. It’s also my main method of transportation for the better part of the year: it’s an inexpensive, effective and reliable way to get around the city and a great way to build physical activity into my day-to-day life.
Sometimes though, biking from one community meeting to another can be a little difficult and – depending on the destination – some trips can be outright nightmares. Simply put, there are many areas in the city where the cycling infrastructure is either poorly maintained, poorly connected or absent altogether. (continue reading…)
[Ed: This is the second in our series of posts from campaign team members. Next is Brian Gould, Online & Print Coordinator. Brian wants to remind you to request a lawn sign.]
Edmonton’s transit system tends to evoke a variety of emotions, but somewhere between frustration and helplessness I found an urge to try to make things better. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do with this energy, but thankfully Brendan had gotten there first and brought together a group of concerned citizens to found the Transit Riders’ Union of Edmonton. (continue reading…)
Brendan is pleased to add to his growing list of official endorsements with this campaign endorsement from Dave Cournoyer. He’d love to add your words of support to that list.
“Over the past three years, I have seen Brendan Van Alstine work tirelessly to improve the quality of public transit in Edmonton. His experiences as a community advocate at City Hall and in his neighborhood have given him a solid foundation to be a strong voice for positive change on City Council.”
City Council Candidate Brendan Van Alstine is pleased to announce an official endorsement of his campaign from current City Councillor Dave Thiele.
“I support Brendan because of his deep-rooted involvement in his community, his passion for this city, and his proven ability to lead positive and visible change.
I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Brendan on a number of issues including improved city transit, sustainable city development, and the role that these initiatives play in building safer, more vibrant communities. I am pleased to endorse him as a candidate.”
Dave Thiele, Current Edmonton City Councillor
Councillor Thiele participated in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the TRUE Transit Challenge, a week-long event created and organized by Brendan where city councillors give up their cars for a week to ride ETS.
Dave Cournoyer, Political Commentator