Wiebe presses for public engagement

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This article was published 20/09/2018 (2038 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For Steinbach city council candidate Alan Wiebe, it comes down to giving voice to the community.

The long-time Steinbach resident is convinced that the path towards the city’s success will be achieved through public engagement and has produced a comprehensive policy document that delves into many areas of Steinbach life.

The document, referred to as The newMillennial Movement and available on his website alanwiebe.com, is just a starting point says Wiebe for collaboration yet to come.

“This movement, this campaign, is for anybody that is interested in gaining momentum on progressive policies that are relevant for today,” Wiebe said.

“I feel like people are waiting for an exciting, dynamic candidate in Steinbach who has a vision.”

The 34-year-old Seine Rat River Conservation District staff member has seen in his work the strength that comes when municipalities collaborate on projects.

“If we can establish a model for public engagement, I think the rest will kind of fall into place from there,” he said noting that public engagement offices are common in major cities across the country.

Youth engagement is important to Wiebe, who says he would advocate for the creation of a youth council or non-voting youth member.

Part of his vision is planning for Steinbach’s future and acknowledging growth projection that estimates the city will have population of over 100,000 people. Tied to that is an idea that other candidates have not presented: the need for climate adaptive resilience.

“It’s about building resilience…making sure our community can absorb social, economic and environmental shocks to our community,” he says.

Wiebe uses the example of storm water retention ponds to slow the flow of water and mitigate flooding from extreme precipitation events.

Such ideas could be incorporated into city planning, he said.

The candidate is mindful too of solutions that eye the city’s short term, not just long term needs.

Wiebe said he believes an affordable housing strategy would be a good move to consider in the near future.

“When people can afford to live in their home, they don’t have to worry about making decisions such as buying groceries or paying the rent…we don’t want to be priced out of our own community.”

References to recreation and culture are also within Wiebe’s policy document, with a focus on taking action in the city’s downtown to invigorate and stimulate economic growth.

“I feel like we can get creative and find ways to make it happen,” he said, when asked how to move past years of inaction.

He suggested that the Niverville Heritage Centre provides a great model for Steinbach to follow.

“It’s a place that really inspires what a community can do when we dream big for the things that count.”

Some might say that Sunday shopping is a bit of a dream too but Wiebe has staked out ground in support of such a change.

“I think it is a popular enough idea that I thought I’d create a position on it. I believe that individuals and business owners can make their own choices about participating in the market economy on Sundays…why not have that choice available to people.”

Wiebe is also championing business and economic growth through suggestions like Steinbach’s need to hire a community economic development officer.

He also advocates for an expanded view of public safety, suggesting that community members work at developing public safety priorities beyond policing to encompass strategies that reduce risk factors at home, in neighbourhoods, and for mental and physical well-being.

“I feel like my campaign is about the sustainability of our livelihoods. It’s about who we are and what we can do together,” he said.