1. Candidate Bio:
Being a proud resident of Brampton since I came to Canada 25+ years ago, I have witness & experience an Excellent growth & transformation of this fantastic City, which we called as “Flower City of Canada”. A family oriented person living with wife, my mom and two sons who are raised very well with an in-depth understanding of family values and schooling system. Community Involvement and volunteerism is my passion and has done wholeheartedly from the day I landed in the Brampton and that gives immerse pleasure & understanding of “BRAMPTONIAN’s and their needs.
I will be your Unique and Diverse Voice at City Hall to make our Ward 1 & 5 requirements to present, be heard and work along with All the Councillors for a Better Brampton together. My Bachelor Graduation and my study of POLICE Foundation course from Sheridan college, has given me immerse knowledge & huge understanding about our diverse culture in Peel region. Also being involved Actively for so many years as Committee member and a Volunteer in the several prominent Organizations like Habitat for Humanity Brampton HFHB , Meals on Wheels, United Way, Carabram, Brampton Seniors Group, Peel School Council’s, Clean City Committee Brampton, Crime Stoppers and various ethnic and local organizations have taught me lot more about family values, safety of children, and caringness in community.
2. What are your three top priorities for Brampton?
Looking at the growth & development of the city, Bramptonian’s are facing lots of day to day challenges and in my opinion top 3 are Traffic Gridlock, Safety of neighbourhood and Healthcare services (not in any particular order).
I’m pretty sure that City officials, Peel Police and healthcare providers have looked and done fantastic job on ongoing basis and doing so. If elected, I will be considering on this top priorities and work diligently with the appropriate officials to ensure of fast and efficient process. Bringing local jobs by attracting Multinational companies while provide best incentives and taxation benefits city can offer, which in turn reduce traffic for residents going out of cities for their daily work and reduces commute.
Working with youth, centres like YMCA and other educational organizations, community policing, etc, can keep our keep our neighbourhood safe and feel secure. Municipalities have their limitations regarding health care, but as city officials, we sure can lobby and work with Provincial Govt and other health care organizations to bring the best and prompt health and senior care services in cities. Expansion and upgrades of current Brampton hospitals are much required based on growth of City of Brampton.
3. What is one major council decision from the previous (2014-2018) term that you agree with?
One of the best and wholly agreed by All the Council members was Brampton 2040 Vision. With Massive involvement of People through social media, workshops, roundtables, community events, comment cards, the Bright Ideas platform online, and much more, it was an Unanimous decision by council will give Bramptonians a World best living community, But will require lots of hard work and commitment to keep the Process on track.
4. What is one major council decision from the previous (2014-2018) term that you disagree with?
City council decision to Purchase Riverstone Golf Course for some whopping $11M+ amount was not worth while at all and will cost taxpayer annually a big amount to maintain that facility. I believe, rather the amount would have use and spend appropriately to build a Senior’s facility.
5. Are there any other ideas from other cities that you would like to see replicated in Brampton?
As the ninth largest city in Canada, Brampton as its own unique requirements. Looking around the world and our surrounding cities itself provides us the best ideas and projects to implement and incorporate into our city.
6. What are your top transportation priorities to ease congestion and gridlock in the city of Brampton and connections to other communities?
I would say typically we have only two seasons here – construction and winter. So road maintenance and infrastructure is bit challenging to implement without causing any major disruptions. However, bringing and attracting large corporations, manufacturing units, warehouses into the cities, of course with proper zoning development, creates lot more local jobs which in turn reduces the traffic gridlock. Frequent and efficient local transits systems (ie: Zum services) connected to adjusting cities which allows more and more residents to take the advantage of door steps transits services, in effect reduces congestion and gridlock.
7. What are your thoughts on the Brampton 2040 Vision and how should the city proceed with the vision?
Thousands of people and lots of firm has put tremendous efforts via social media, workshops, roundtables, community events, comment cards, the Bright Ideas platform online, and much more. If elected, I will work diligently on Brampton 2040 vision with other council members to put the proper foundation on this 22 years long project. It’s an excellent way to transform Brampton into a visionary, family-oriented liveable city and set the example for other cities in world.
8. What is your position on the city’s finances and how would you tackle demands for services and infrastructure renewal?
Bramptonian’s deserve the utmost value of their property taxes and their contributed amount to the city. It is very important to look at city finances with officials and re-balance the budgeting to distribute and provide the best services to residents. As stated earlier that having more and more big companies into city can compensate the residents taxes through the business taxation system.
9. What are your thoughts on how the city/region should handle the alleged uptick of spontaneous youth violence and crime in the city?
Ongoing community outreach, youth involvement and sports facilities, Neighbourhood Watch organizations in conjunctions with Peel community policing can surely bring the stop to this up-rush. Youth are vulnerable without proper education and outreach programs, and as such creates unnecessary activities among them. Peel police and other centres like YMCA has an excellent supporting programs to keep all ages of people occupied on positive city growth. Early establishment of Brampton University will also contribute huge support to educate our youth within city.
10. Why should voters vote for you?
Simple reason Simple Person. I’m going to work for my ward constituents, keeping the Best process for the city in mind. It’s not just about one person’s thoughts or requirements as any decision affects the whole city, neighbourhood and families. As a Brampton resident for 25+ years, raising a family here and being involved in so many reputable organizations as a committee member and volunteer, I have gained a huge people’s skill and deep understanding for Brampton residents. I will be their “Loud and clear Voice” into the city, to work on the best possible outcome without wasting resources to make my fellow Bramptonians’ lives safe, secure and livable in our beautiful Flower city. I will be their voice, their choice to work along with other Councillors as a team, putting any personal beliefs aside and only for the growth and best for Bramptonians.
Candidate contact info:
Phone: 416-988-0850
Email: info@donpatel.ca
Website: Link here
