Doug Wilson - Passion and Collaboration


How does being Mayor of Morden prepare you for being Mayor of Winnipeg?  Quite well, according to Doug Wilson.  Winnipeg has a lot to learn from small cities in Manitoba like Morden.  Like many small communities, population was declining, businesses were leaving and the future seemed bleak.  That is when many small cities became passionate and collaborative in their fight for growth.  He points to Winkler/Morden who were often in competition came together and now have a health centre that has become a centre of excellence.  No one had all the answers but everyone working together the answers came together.  Barriers had to be removed to inspire people, mostly youth, to open businesses and give them the tools to help them shine. 

Winnipeg has been described as the ultimate big small town.  Get more people working together.  Wilson feels we have a meth crisis in Winnipeg and many are scared and don't know what to do.  He acknowledges that a lot of people are scared but that is why we have to figure out what to do.  There are some people working in pockets doing things and all of these efforts need to be coordinated and figure out a grander scheme.  He thinks the reason people are scared is because they are scared of making a mistake.  Not doing is increasing the risk.  We are all scared but we have to put that aside and take action. 

He likes rival Tim Diack because he is not afraid to talk about the crisis.  Fixing the city is a matter of collaboration and giving the talented people who are employees of the city the right tools to do their jobs.  311 and 911 are stressed to the maximum and the systems aren't working properly.  Morale is low and this includes the 1408 police force.  We can't expect them to solve problems without giving them the proper tools.  Winnipeg Police would have a lot more time if they weren't so occupied with CFS calls.  Again, if we could inspire and support youth, that problem would also be resolved. 

There is too much bureaucracy in Winnipeg.  It takes too long to get a licence to open up a store front business.  He would better like the city to remove those barriers and also help small business with strategic success plans to succeed. 

Winnipegers have a lot of "over the top" plans which often end in disappointment.  We would be better off supporting small business.  Small business creates big business which drives the enconomy and then our "over the top" expectations can be achieved.  City Hall is currently operating on a "industrial style system" when we would be better served with a "lifestyle system".  Less bureaucracy.  More common sense and individualized solutions. 

Doug Wilson is truly in love with the city that he was born in.  He has lived other places but he is passionate about Winnipeg and its future.  He thinks by being the quiet passionate that this will propel him to being the future former Mayor of Winnipeg in addition to being the former Mayor of Morden. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One of my saddest days in Winnipeg

Image
I felt compelled to attend an information meeting of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  Compelled because it will be, not in my neighbourhood, but in my City Ward.  Compelled after reading Bruce's story and his family's wish to make this recovery centre his legacy.  Compelled because of the opposition to this centre.  I wanted my voice to be a positive one. Since the land has already been rezoned, the BORC is going to happen and the meeting was to update the community on progress and get input on a few minor details.   I didn't realize that it would be one of the saddest days I have experienced in Winnipeg.   When I arrived, I experienced the "white people". They were people dressed in white who were there to oppose the Centre.  In order to get in to the community centre, I had to pass two "white people" who were at the door with placards in opposition.  It was intimidating.  They didn't deter anyone from entering but th...
Read more

There's Something from Jenny - Part 2

Image
I am trying to evolve as a blogger.  One of my friends told me that I needed to start adding my pictures to my blog so that people would know who they are communicating with.  So, good, bad, or ugly, I am adding my picture as much as I can.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  Not as vulnerable as I would feel if I was running for Mayor of a major Canadian city. I can't imagine how vulnerable I would feel, having every move and every word analyzed and taken out of context.  Perspective always defines your reality.  For example, I could tell you that I witnessed a murder by the Superstore last week.  That might bring up some powerful images in your mind.  Then, there would be those who know that a group of crows is called a murder.  That gives my previous statement have a whole different image in your mind.  So, when I spent an hour with Jenny Motkaluk that was my biggest impression.  She doesn't mind being vulnerable.  She just w...
Read more

Seriously? Opposition to BORC opening at old Vimy Arena Site

Image
I decided to go for a walk today.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  My quest was to understand the home owner's opposition to having the closed arena site being converted to a much needed addiction treatment facility.  I took some pictures on my phone and want to explain what I found out.  The first picture was taken while I was standing on the immense green space at the back of the old Vimy Arena.  You can see in the background what is the closest residential development.  It is a town house complex.  In order for someone who was participating in treatment at BORC to interact with someone living in the complex, they would have to walk and then cross a creek, and then get through the trees.  I would think the residents living in that complex would be more worried about the drainage pipe that leads on the creek.  I would be concerned about a wandering child being trapped in there.  The second pic...
Read more