New councillor wants airport plebiscite
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 | 8:19 PM MT
CBC News
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Kerry Diotte is shown here at his campaign launch in June. Diotte was elected Monday as the councillor for Ward 11. (CBC)The newly-elected councillor for Ward 11, Kerry Diotte, said Tuesday he may push the city to hold a public vote on the future of the City Centre Airport.
"People felt very cheated that they didn't get a voice on the airport issue as far a plebiscite [was concerned]," he said.
"I heard that constantly at the doors and I heard it from people who weren't pro-airport. I heard it from people that they wanted a voice and they're frustrated and they have told me that they would love to see a plebiscite; they are demanding it."
In September, the city of Edmonton rejected a petition calling for a plebiscite that was circulated by pro-airport group Envision Edmonton, for missing a deadline and for lacking the required amount of valid signatures.
Council also rejected the idea of putting a non-binding question on the Oct. 18 ballot.
Voters want to move forward: Krushell
Envision Edmonton attempted to make the airport an election issue and backed a number of candidates for council, including mayoral contender David Dorward, who came in second to Stephen Mandel in Monday's vote.
Coun. Kim Krushell, who was re-elected in Ward 2 which includes the airport, faced a challenge from an Envision Edmonton candidate, Don Koziak.
Krushell said Edmontonians sent a strong message about their feelings on the airport closure by re-electing Mandel and all the members of the last council.
"This vote last night was a decision for our citizens to move forward," she said. "It was for our city council to continue to show leadership and you know, we have to work hard.
"I definitely need to work hard on explaining I think a lot of the misinformation that's out there on the airport, which I will do. And no, I will not be in support of another go-around on the airport. When are we ever going to put this issue to bed?"
But Diotte said he knocked on 8,000 doors during his campaign and residents of the ward said they want a plebiscite
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