THUNDER BAY – Alan Corbett says change can’t come soon enough at city hall.
It’s the No. 1 reason why he’s put his name forward to run in the Westfort Ward, wanting to be part of a new-look city council over the next four years.
“I honestly believe that we can’t go forward without better work with our police department, better work on the street with our raging social issues. I’m not saying that council did not do anything, but I do feel like it’s time for us to have some new voices, some renewed effort,” said Corbett, owner of Kontrol Media Studios, a multimedia start-up, as well as being a parent and entertainer.
A lifelong Westfort resident, Corbett said the problems facing Thunder Bay run deep, starting with law enforcement.
“We have a major situation with our police department, as everybody knows. And until we fix some of these issues, I don’t think we can have a safe community or a community that’s working toward the future, really.”
As for Westfort itself, Corbett said the neighbourhood deserves a little more attention for the politicians circling the table on Donald Street.
It’s been left to its own devices for far too long, he said.
“I feel like there’s a lot of things that take place over here in terms of maintenance that wouldn’t be an issue if it was near the waterfront,” Corbett said. “I’m all for the waterfront, but I know a lot of the residents down here are disappointed in that.”
Corbett added he believes most of the same social issues facing the rest of the city are also prevalent in Westfort. Until they are handled, progress will likely elude both the ward and the city as a whole.
It starts with social issues, like homelessness, mental health and addiction.
“We’ve got to really pay better attention. Things like the SOS program has been shuttered and we absolutely need outreach on the street. I don’t necessarily have all the solutions, but I think it starts with zoning bylaw changes, in terms of families taking care of their own.”
He’s also intrigued by the idea of building tiny homes to help address the homeless issue.
“We definitely need to find a home for these people.”
When it comes to major infrastructure projects, in particular the indoor turf facility, like many candidates, Corbett said he’s all for the idea, but not at any cost.
“My only thing is the city has major cash flow issues. I know we have in the area of a $30-million infrastructure deficit. So I think until we manage some of these other issues that we [do] not necessarily need to cancel the turf facility – I do feel there’s a value to it – but maybe look at how we’re approaching it and maybe go with a lower-cost facility,” Corbett said.
“But we definitely need to put it on hold for the time being.”
