Christopher Wood says infrastructure key issue

We asked all city council candidates to fill out a questionnaire so you may get to know them a little better. We will be running their answers between now and election day.

Christopher Wood

Tell us about your background.

As a father of two boys and a loving husband, I have worked for the past 20 years in the IT industry for various firms such as IBM and Northern Health. I have worked together with firms including State Farm Insurance, and JP Morgan Chase on contracts totalling 5 Billion Dollars. I have united with the payroll department at Northern Health to participate in their 200 million a year payroll. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from UVIC, and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from UNBC.

Why are you running for council?

To serve and protect…

What do you think is the most important issue facing the City of Prince George today? Why?

Infrastructure upgrading. The Trans Mountain pipeline has leaked 82 times since 1961. The pipeline was built to stricter rules than our sewers and water were. How many pools of raw sewage are buried in our streets?

Please rank the importance of the following issues facing the city (1 being the most important).

Infrastructure
Snow Removal
Economic Development
Maintenance
Safety
Crime
Downtown Revitalization
Transit
Social housing
Recreation (pools, arenas etc.)
Parks
City Image
Population Growth

Do you support the policy that pays senior exempt staff overtime? Why, or why not?

No, they should take time off in lieu.

What do you believe is the role of a city councillor as it pertains to the day-to-day operations of city hall?

To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the City

Council recently set the business licence fee for cannabis retailers and producers at $1,000. Do you think this fee is too high, too low, about right and will you support a cannabis retail store application that meets city requirements?

About right, liquor store licenses should be increased to match.

The city is currently reviewing the hours to keep Masich Place Stadium open. Do you agree with the current hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., pending scheduled usage and, if so should those hours be maintained?

I support the current hours of usage, regardless of what the review states is a result. We did not spend money to upgrade the stadium, only to look at it from outside a fence.

We often hear about government being open and transparent. What does that mean to you? Once again, be specific.

Open and transparent means providing information to the public so they can form their own opinion or solution and contact a council member to discuss or become further educated on the details. I would like to see a list of all employees that earn $75k or more in a year listed on the website, just like Northern Health does. If the information is available via a freedom of information request, it should be available for download to the public.

Why should people vote for you?

People should vote Wood for Council if they believe infrastructure improvements controlled by a property tax increased at a fixed 2% + referendum result costs property tax appeals to them. Let’s control our spending and ensure another child does not go hungry, or a senior looses their house because property tax increases.

If you could accomplish one thing over the next term, what would that be?

A shovel in the ground for a Performing Arts Centre.

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