Broken windows, theft, property crime top of mind for River Heights-Fort Garry voters
Words and Photos by Tyler Hodgson
Located in central Winnipeg, River Heights-Fort Garry is a collection of suburban neighbourhoods within Wellington Crescent to the north, Stafford Street and Pembina Highway to the east, McGillivray Boulevard west of Waverley Street and Abinojii Mikanah to the south, and Kenaston Boulevard and Waverley to the west.
Its current city councillor, John Orlikow, is retiring after 17 consecutive years. There are currently three nominated candidates running: Georgina Sabesky, Sara MacArthur, and Jorge Requena Ramos.
The average household living in this ward is middle to upper-middle class (earning an income of $52,875-$141,000) along with a prominent section of residents who are upper class (earning an income of $141,000+).
Crime in the ward is low relative to the rest of the city. Of the crime reported in the area, property crime accounts for most of the crime and compared to the other wards in the city, River Heights-Fort Garry has the lowest violent crime rate proportionate to its total crime numbers.
Nancy Ryan-Arbez, 67, Retired university professor
Time living in ward: three years.
What’s life like in the ward?
It’s been very satisfying for a number of reasons. Number one, greater sense of community than when I was in the suburbs before. Number two, central location. So many things are within walking distance. Number three, the environment having mature trees. It’s wonderful.
What are some local needs that you notice?
I find it hard talk about my personal safety when I live in River Heights. It’s an affluent area, we all have a home to live in. I worry more about the safety of those people who do not have a home and who have to walk into River Heights and try to carve out a safe place to live. That is to me a much bigger issue. I know they’ve built some affordable housing in the area but much more need built. We need to build up multifamily dwellings and not give into developers.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I know that the current councillor is stepping down and that there’s a bunch of new people running, but I still need to sit down a look at who’s running what they want to do. I do know who I’m not voting for, I have to decide who I will vote for.
Ernest Cholakis, 63, owner of Broadway Florists
The business has been in the ward for 15 years
What’s life like in the ward?
It’s been positive, it’s a nice area. As a commercial and residential area, it’s a nice place.
What are some local needs that you notice?
The traffic on our street, when they close Wellington Crescent, is a little overwhelming. I don’t think they realize the amount of traffic comes down this street during rush hour. It’s pretty dangerous. We see the odd accident every other day, because there’s just too many cars. [Academy Road] I don’t think is built for that amount of traffic, especially all the traffic that comes down from Route 90. Right over the bridge and then back this way. So that’s a bit of a concern. And then, yeah, so it’s like a safety kind of more of a safety issue because you can’t get across the street.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I’m pretty engaged. I think it’s a duty and a privilege to vote. Yeah.
And, uh, if you’re gonna criticize, you might as well you should be voting. Yeah, as opposed to complaining if you don’t vote. So, um, you know, I think people should get involved through the municipal area, then mayor and provincially and federally.I think it’s an important thing to know what’s going on in your community. So when the time comes, I will be voting.
Dave Burpee, 51, Radio show host
Has lived in RHFG for 13 years
What’s life like in the ward?
Life in River Heights is pretty chill and close to everything. I guess if you asked others they would say there’s a sizeable smashed windows/break in problem. I haven’t been affected by it personally but I know a bunch of people who have.
What are some local needs that you notice?
I guess in general, I rarely vote on my own needs. I think of what others need and how they can be lifted up and vote that way. I’m also a dreamer so I gravitate to big and bold ideas.
If there was one thing – there’s no set dog park which is a no-brainer.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I haven’t decided who I’m voting for yet, but I’ve never missed a civic, provincial or federal vote since I turned 18.
Peter Herget, 37, sales associate at the Salvation Army
Has lived in the ward for 21 years
What’s life like in the ward?
I enjoy it. I’ve seen the area change a lot since I’ve been here, but I still notice things that need changing.
What are some local needs that you notice?
Accessibility. There needs to be more focus on making things more accessible like bathrooms. And more areas that are accessible.
But accessibility is for not just disabled people, but for everyone like making sure sidewalks are cleared in the winter and that they put sand on them too.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I didn’t know that Orlikow was stepping down. I don’t know any of the people who are running either, so I don’t know who I’m voting for.
Matthew TenBruggencate, 44, Communication specialist at the Winnipeg Civic Employees Benefits Program
Has lived in the ward for 3 years.
What’s life like in the ward?
I moved here because the neighbourhood that I was previously in had a very vibrant community, but also a lot of issues with crime which made my partner feel unsafe.
It’s a very privileged (area), the income level is incredibly different. The people who are living here are dealing with, different issues, it is a very different experience. My partner is much more comfortable.
What are some local needs that you notice?
I would love to see a candidate in this ward take a stand on mixed housing. There’s a lot of resistance in River Heights-Fort Garry to housing that doesn’t fit the neighbourhood.
That bleeds into affordability issue and the rising cost of living […] for seniors who are looking to downsize without leaving the community, […] for children who have grown up in this neighbourhood who want to be able to buy into this neighbourhood. What are they going do, buy a 500, 600, $700,000 home?
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
People should be following this election. This is going to shape how a number of wards, and the people who are elected navigate the civil service as a bunch of the people who figured that out and get stuff done at city hall are going to be gone.
For information on how to vote and where, head to the official City of Winnipeg election website.
The staff of Winnipeg Better can be reached by email at jmajorrrc@gmail.com