Mayoral Candidate Erik Gingles says that when choosing what his priorities would be there were over 60 ideas that came to mind. Since then, he managed to reduce those ideas to around 30 and categorize them under three pillars, community, accountability and sustainability.
According to Gingles, his want to run for mayor stemmed from his experience covering City Council for the news company he runs.
“I could see that there was a bit of discrepancy or disconnect between decisions that were made at city hall compared to the stories we were covering in the community,” he said.
Gingles believes that there are many opportunities that Moncton could take advantage of, especially with his platform.
Community
With hopes of developing Moncton’s sense of community, Gingles has highlighted public safety as an issue of high importance.
The City has encountered growing concerns over the safety of its downtown as well as affordable housing.
“I would like to see a lot more invested with front-line social services. I think a lot more needs to be done with youth mental health,” said Gingles, who believes it’s important to set a strong foundation and work from the ground up.
The city has made additions in terms of affordable housing units; however, finding long-term solutions for the issue still haven’t appeared to be solidified.
“I think we need to get the front-line service people involved with developers and say look if we can all mutually agree that this problem needs to be solved, then how can we get there,” said Gingles.
He acknowledged that developers have every right to charge premium rates.
In terms of helping Moncton continue to grow while combating some of the previously mentioned socioeconomic issues, Gingles believes it’s part of the process.
“You’re sort of a victim of your own success, that as you grow there becomes more issues.”
Accountability
As noted earlier, Gingles found his intent to run over the course of nights spent covering city council. He stated that he looks to bring more transparency to spending and explaining where taxpayers’ dollars end up.
The journalist drew attention to the recent discussions of a new RCMP facility, an addition he believes necessary but not without the right information.
“At public meetings, they said they would like to build the facility first and then figure out what was needed for policing services or to make the public safe. To me that’s the wrong way to go about it,” he said.
Instead, he would like to see the construction delayed until plans can properly accommodate the community for the right price.
Sustainability
Gingles took an untraditional approach with the term sustainability, focusing on aspects of the environment as well as economic recovery.
Moncton’s next mayor will be responsible for navigating the city through a pandemic recovery. Gingles says it could be a “grey area” over the coming years.
He has expressed interest in creating a blueprint for any unforeseen events and hopes to create a round-table that oversees the feasibility and
creation of a net-zero emission Petitcodiac Interpretive and Community Centre.
“For years we turned our back on it…I was talking to a woman who said she just wanted a space to go… well the riverbanks can go from halls creek to west main,” said Gingles who believes the river can help the community in a post-covid setting.
Adressing Concerns
When it comes to any political candidate, it’s the responsibility of residents to call attention to any red flags. In the case of Gingles, his presence in the community as a journalist could raise concerns over the same transparency he includes in his campaign.
Understanding the issues, it could create, Gingles says his media company would no longer cover stories in Moncton and potentially New Brunswick. Instead, he believes it would transition to covering news outside of the province.
Gingles also caused a stir on social media after liking a comment directed towards his opponent that was derogatory. Speaking on the matter Gingles called it “regrettable” and says he hopes he won’t be judged based on the poor decision.
Erik Gingles and Dawn Arnold will be the two choices on Monctonians ballots for election day.