Meet the Candidates: John Radl

John Radl wants to see municipal taxation brought under control.

“It’s not only the high taxes you get every year but it’s the hidden taxes. You’re paying for water, you’re paying a sewage tax on top of that,” he said.

“That’s concerning many seniors who say their water bill has gone from $100 to $300 and they say they’re not using any extra water and they’re very concerned.”

Radl, who is married with three children and five grandchildren, will be taking his second shot at unseating incumbent Joe Virdiramo in Westfort on Oct. 27, after finishing second in 2010.

He doesn’t view a new event centre as being worth the cost to taxpayers. Radl said he doesn’t think the expected spinoff economic benefits to nearby businesses will happen.

Building the proposed facility in the selected north downtown core location has too many unnecessary costs, he said.

“Right now, as it stands, I am not for the project,” he said. “Building (downtown) we’re tearing down the bus depot, moving parking lots and buying land for more parking lots while all of that is there at Innova Park.”

Now retired, the former police officer would instead rather see the next council focus their efforts on cleaning up the city, starting with committing to putting more officers on the front lines and more funding into crime prevention programs.

“You need the police and public to work together,” Radl said.

Drawing on his background as a traffic officer, Radl wants to see improvements with road design and traffic calming measures.

“I’ve noticed in Westfort our roads have gotten a lot worse and there are problems with sidewalks,” Radl said. “I’m looking to see if I can get on council to assist in helping that.”

As the grandfather of a wheelchair bound young girl, Radl would also like to see the city work to improve accessibility throughout the community.