After finally doing some deeper research on our slate of mayoral candidates, I've gotta say I'm really disappointed with the group as a whole. At a glance it would seem like we've got a competitive field with at least one or two good platforms, but I was sorely underwhelmed when I did a bit more digging.
I would consider Sohi, Watson, Oshry, and Krushell serious candidates (I'll ignore nickel for this, cuz what's the point). The common theme that ties them all together is an utter lack of vision for the city.
Watson may have the best vision of the four - her downtown vision is somewhat worthwhile, though limited - but she has far too many fatal flaws in the rest of her platform. Her views on the valley line west and how to deal with homelessness/affordable housing in the city are unforgivable. Plus her "chief accountability officer" idea is worthless imo.
Michael Oshry's platform is so incredibly uninspiring and I honestly struggle to understand why he decided to run. He seemed pretty unenthusiastic on his way out from his council seat last election - I am confused as to why he thinks being in the mayor's seat will be any better. His focus on small infrastructure projects is totally contradicted by the fact that he supports huge road expansions like the yellowhead. His "priority based budgeting" approach sounds like an absolute disaster waiting to happen. The only worthwhile platform point he has contributed is his promise to get the city out of the developer's chair at Blatchford.
Krushell's platform is similarly uninspiring. I absolutely cringe whenever I see something like "core services and maintenance" as a key element of someone's platform. It absolutely screams "I have no vision". As well, her stance on transportation issues is an absolute deal breaker. I think hers might be the least inspired of the four. Really disappointing.
Sohi - though a more personable and likeable individual than the other three - still does not have a particularly strong vision imo. Though I do appreciate his platform's emphasis on environmental issues, he's not really bringing anything new that the council hadn't already proposed on that front. Overall, his platform doesn't include many new or visionary ideas - just more of the same. My one positive for him is that his connection to the federal Liberals will hopefully help divert a bit more federal funding Edmonton's way.
Overall, I am just incredibly disappointed.
