Jeromy Farkas, one of the 27 candidates running for Calgary’s mayoral seat, says he hopes to bring “real change” to city hall if elected..The Western Standard Editorial Board sat down with Farkas this week and spoke at length about his focus on change..“I’m running for mayor to bring about real change. I think after the last 10 years, we’ve seen our city struggle with lack of opportunity, we’ve witnesses the economy crumble, we’ve seen overspending at city hall, increasing tax bills, we’ve seen the city hall establishment become out of touch, and I think I offer something that the other candidates don’t,” Farkas said..Calling his plan “realistic and achievable” Farkas points to his experience gained in serving as Ward 11 councillor since 2017 and his humble upbringing in SE Calgary by his immigrant parents..“The reason why I’m running for mayor is economic opportunity,” Farkas said..“A lot of doors were closed to my father and my mother, but they worked their butts off to make sure those doors were open to me.”.Farkas shared his three points of focus – financial responsibility, transparency, and support for our essential services — police officers, firefighters – and those that work at city hall..When asked what he hears at the doors on the campaign trail, Farkas said Calgarians are “sick and tired of the overspending, entitlement, and secrecy at city hall.”.In comparing his platform to that of his toughest opponent, Farkas said he and Jyoti Gondek “have very different visions for the city.”.“One a is big-spending, big-government, entitled approach,” while he proposes giving the “power back to the people and to get city hall working for Calgarians again,” adding his plan is to get spending and taxes under control in Calgary..When asked whether he felt Nenshi would come forward with support for Gondek, Farkas replied that he wishes Nenshi well but believes “his policies and decisions have been bad for Calgarians.”.“We can’t afford four more years of the same.”.Farkas voiced concerns over union support for Gondek and said he believes the unions are looking to go “all out on a plan to take over city council and buy the mayor’s chair.”.He affirmed he “can’t be bought” and said he repeatedly “stood up to Nenshi and his free-spending ways.”.When discussing the unions’ push back against Farkas as mayor, he said he believes there’s a big difference between the “backroom-big-money” union bosses and the “everyday folks” who are doing the work at city hall..“Many people who work at the city have reached out to me to say they disagree with their wages going to fund attack ads against me or funding my opponent (Gondek) and they’ve actually written cheques and donations of support because they want to help level the playing field.”.On the challenge of cleaning up the city’s downtown and getting more people into the core, Farkas said his first plan is bring the police back downtown stating, “Calgary is the only major north American city without a downtown station.”.He also plans to invest in more preventative, proactive measures around mental health, addiction and social supports, focusing on recovery and treatment..“I think it’s about being thoughtful and strategic, and actually giving that investment to the boots on the ground, but, to be clear, not to give a blank cheque to the police and make sure they are held accountable and spending money wisely.”.Revitalizing the downtown comes down to “city hall creating an environment for business and people to succeed,” said Farkas, highlighting the need for people to feel safe, for flood mitigation as well as creating affordability for businesses citing high operating costs, property taxes and parking fees..Farkas is also advocating for a rail-link connecting downtown to the Calgary International Airport making the downtown “more accessible.”.When asked where he would find fiscal savings at city hall, Farkas said he is looking at a four-year tax freeze he believes it’s “achievable and realistic.”.Farkas also looks to target cuts to certain “non-essential” areas such as arts and communications, as well as looking to do away with the “big spend” on pension and benefits liabilities..“Over the last 10-years there has been a 60% increase on that pension and benefit line item and that’s why I led by example,” Farkas said of his decision to turn down his “golden” pension when he became councillor four years ago and committed to do so again if elected Calgary’s next mayor..“I’d like to see them (pensions) eliminated for councillors and a more reasonably-defined contribution model brought in.”.He also plans to hold the line on wage increases at city hall, pointing out a 4% increase in the past 10 years..When asked how he plans to work with Kenney and the provincial government, Farkas said, “I don’t answer to Nenshi, I don’t answer to Kenney, I don’t answer to Trudeau, I don’t answer to the Queen of England. I answer to the people who voted for me.”.Farkas credits his “flexibility as an independent not running on any party label” and said he would support the provincial government when “I think they get it right” and will oppose them when he thinks they don’t. He added he won’t be “beholden” to any establishment and said he represents the people who voted for him..Whether dealing with a Kenney government or potentially a Notley government in two years, Farkas says he plans to hold the line and “seek to find common ground with the provincial government.”.When asked whether he would reverse the current mandatory vaccine policy at city hall, Farkas said “I think city hall needs to stay in its lane,” confirming he was against the mandates to begin with..“That’s why I didn’t support the city implementing its own vaccine passport system, because it further confused and convoluted the issue.”.He informed the editorial board of a motion he brought forward that was unsuccessful in reversing the mandate, but if elected plans to work with the new council to revisit the topic. He also pointed out the mandate has a “sunset clause” that would see the bylaw end December 31..Although some critics say Farkas can be overly oppositional, he rejected the claim and says his record has been consistent, “advocating for financial responsibility, for transparency and for economic opportunity.”.Farkas said his “no” vote isn’t because he is trying to be contrarian, but said he wasn’t about to “aid and abet a city council and administration whose agenda is so extreme and out of touch with everyday Calgarians.”.He also has no plans to explore adding wards or additional staff and said he believes it would add to the “overspending, divisiveness, waste and secrecy” and suggested an independent citizen committee that overlooked wards and elections would be in the “best interest” of taxpayers..Although stating he was opposed to some of the terms of the Green Line and the arena project, Farkas plans to move forward with the deals already in place..“In this town, a handshake means something. We’re now in a position where we’re locked in to these projects and the train has left the station, so it becomes about executing what has been agreed to,” Farkas said..On the development front, Farkas compared Calgary to Edmonton saying our neighbours to the north work together better, are more “strategic” and look at their developments as if “a rising tide lifts all boats,” and suggested Calgary needs to take a similar approach..The editorial board asked Farkas for his thoughts on high voter turnout at advance-polls. He acknowledged he knows it’s a close race but feels voters are looking for change and based on what he’s hearing, people are “sick and tired of the overspending and secrecy.”.“I happen to think this election is about change verses more of the same and I’m ready to bring this to city hall.”.Calgary’s municipal election is Monday October 18. Click here to find out when, where and how to vote..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
