KarenPrincipe

The city's priority on bike lanes has been a controversial and contentious issue for quite some time. The debate has been reignited recently around renewal plans for 132 Avenue and the possibility of creating two more bike lanes between 66th Street and 97th Street which would entail reducing car lanes from four to two. To those opposed to this possibility, "stay in your own lane" means leave the road system as is and don't gobble up more vehicle lanes for bike lanes.

"Stay in your own lane" took on another meaning when Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s transportation minister teamed up with Karen Principe to consider concerns regarding the new bike lanes along 132 Avenue. There are those who sense the province is overstepping their jurisdiction by getting involved in a city matter. Dreeshen counters that argument saying although the province supports bike lanes when they make sense, but does not support tax dollars being used to reduce road capacity needed to meet the growing demand all across the province.

The final rounds of discussion/debate of next year's budget are taking place and according to the Journal's Keith Gerein the final vote split along ideological lines. The four "no" votes came from the the four most conservative councillors; Sarah Hamilton, Jennifer Rice, Karen Principe and Tim Cartmell. The councillors on the winning side of the debate expressed irritation at the dissenters especially Jennifer Rice and mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell. who noted that even though next year’s hike was lowered to 6.1 per cent, this council's cumulative record still amounts to a nearly 22 per cent increase over four years.

It probably is not far fetched to think that the budget debate may be a preview of some councillor's platforms for next year's election.

A motion by Ward tastawiyiniwak Councillor Karen Principe to have candidates pay for criminal record checks conducted by the Edmonton Police Service was voted down 11-2 with Councillor Jennifer Rice being the other support vote. Principe thought the checks would provide public peace of mind and didn’t anticipate the backlash her motion received. Candidates for Provincial MLAs and/or Federal MPs aren't required to automatically hand over such information.

Councillors Aaron Paquette and Erin Rutherford voiced their concerns with the motion and Mayor Sohi said political parties backing candidates in future elections will probably be vetting those candidates.

Criminal checks have become common for many positions so its understandable why the motion was brought forward.

This story is very disturbing and makes me question for how many more things does the end justify the means and are done in secret? I think Edmonton voters should be concerned that only Councillors Sarah Hamilton, Tim Cartmell, Jennifer Rice and Karen Principe opposed the secret deal. What does this say about the integrity of the other Councillors?