Jump to content

Stephen Mandel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 129.128.184.5 (talk) at 21:33, 25 April 2013. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

His Worship
Stephen Mandel
34th Mayor of Edmonton
Assumed office
October 26, 2004
Preceded byBill Smith
Edmonton City Councilor Ward 1
In office
2001–2004
Preceded byLeroy Chahley
Succeeded byLinda Sloan
Personal details
Born (1945-07-18) July 18, 1945 (age 79)
Windsor, Ontario
SpouseLynn Mandel
ChildrenRachel Mandel
Adam Mandel
Alma materLincoln College
Miami University
University of Windsor
ProfessionBusinessman
Signature

Stephen Mandel (born July 18, 1945 in Windsor, Ontario) is a Canadian politician and the current mayor of Edmonton, Alberta.He was re-elected for his third term on October 18, 2010, with 55% of the vote.

Mandel received an Associate of Arts Degree from Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Miami University, and his Masters in Political Science from University of Windsor.

He moved to Edmonton in 1972 from Windsor, Ontario.[1]

Mandel is active with promoting the city's arts and festival scene. He is also an active volunteer with the city's local Heart and Stroke Foundation and with several local Jewish organizations. Mandel is married to Lynn Mandel. They have two children, Rachel and Adam.

Political career

Prior to being elected as Mayor, Mandel ran unsuccessfully for school trustee[2] He was first elected to the Edmonton City Council in 2001 as a Councillor for Ward 1. In 2004, he won an upset victory by defeating Edmonton's three-term mayor, Bill Smith.[1]

Mayoralty

Public Works

Mandel's city council was responsible for many infrastructural achievements: expansion of the LRT lines, the construction of a new arena for the Edmonton Oilers.[3]

After years of public consultations since 2008, the city approved a plan gradually decommission the City Centre airport by implementing the City Centre Redevelopment Plan. The City Centre Redevelopment Plan aims to mitigate urban sprawl by redeveloping the aging and costly City Center Airport [4] into a sustainable 300 acre inner city neighborhood anticipated to accommodate 30,000 residents.[5][6]

According to sporting organization 'SportAccord', the city has a Silver class partnership with the convention, enabling Edmonton to host many world classed events awarded during the Mandel administration.[7] The city will to host the 2015 FIFA Women's world cup.[8]

Edmonton Downtown Arena

Edmonton Oilers CEO Daryl Katz has entered into an agreement with the city of Edmonton to joint fiance the construction of new Arena for the hockey team which the city will own. The entertainment complex, arena and plaza along with neighborhood development, and adjacent Winter Garden LRT Station costing $35M has an estimated budget of $601 Million CND.[9]. The project will be financed between the city with a seed fund valued at $219M CND. Katz Group will contribute $143M and invest in the neighboring land development. The Albertan government won't fund the arena as Mandel anticipated however the provincial government inadvertently funded $170M through the Municipal Sustainability Initative.$125M will be raised through ticket surcharges. [10] [11] Before construction can commence, Mandel is challenged with securing an additional outstanding $117M to guarantee the financing loans, as the Albertan government won't fund the arena.

Social and Business initiatives

In 2011 Mandel commissioned the 'Community Sustainability Task Force', to address problems that mature Edmontonian neighborhoods faced. The organization reported on recommendations through the 'ELEVATE' report.[12][13]

Mandel negotiated with the county of Leduc to amalgamate, 15,600 Acres of land to be used to support Edmonton's anticipated growth, if approved it will be the first major growth since 1982.[14]

IBM granted 400,000 USD worth of expertise and advice to assist Edmontonian experts improve the lives of Edmontonians through the effective use of data and technology. The company has listed the city as one of "smarter cities" challenge.[15]

In 2012, Mandel embarked on a trade mission to meet business and municipal leaders from Asia, to assert Edmonton's place in global Energy and business trade.[16]

Events during Mayoralty

Gay rights

Mandel started the first Mayor Pride Brunch, in 2005. The event is a fund raiser to raise money for gay pride youth Camp fYrefly. Mandel proclaimed a week in April 2013 as Transgender Awareness week to bring awareness of the challenges Transgender Edmontonians face such as violence.[17][18]

In 2006–2011 the city administration has been criticized by some members of the local press on issues relating to infrastructure maintenance.

In September 2007, Mandel ordered the removal from city property of work by Edmonton sculptor Ryan McCourt, after receiving a 700-name petition that alleged McCourt's sculptures had "hurt Hindu religious sensibilities".

Mandel created the Mayor's Evening for the Arts held at the Francis Winspear Center, out of formerly a luncheon event to an annual festive evening gala. The event showcases the talents of Edmontonian performing artists in a grand spectacle and awards ceremony. In 2012, he celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this tradition. In 2013, Mandel created the 'Ambassador of the Arts Award' awarded at the gala. Honoring significant contributions by individuals or corporations who represented Edmonton artistically on the international or national stage.[19]

Mandel proclaimed the Edmonton Public Library's centennial anniversary to be 'Edmonton Public Library Day' issuing free library membership.[20][21]

City Charter

To address the challenges of evolving into metropolises Mandel together with Calgarian Mayor Naheed Nenshi negotiated a memorandum of understanding with the Albertan government.This motion will enable both mayors to work with the Albertan government to draft city charters in 2013. Effectively articulating the powers and responsibilities the municipalities have to deal with unique issues of development such as taxation.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b Jewish Independent, November 5, 2005
  2. ^ http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&coll=0&itm=256039&rt=1&bill=1
  3. ^ http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/01/23/edmonton-council-votes-to-revive-oilers-arena-deal
  4. ^ http://ottewell.gateway.ualberta.ca/articles/opinion/2010/09/16/city-centre-airport-finally-shot-down
  5. ^ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prosperity-allows-edmonton-to-chart-a-clean-green-future/article4426646/
  6. ^ http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2009/07/08/10069701.html
  7. ^ http://www.sportaccordconvention.com/#P754
  8. ^ http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2012/edmonton-named-as-host-city-for-womens-world-cup-canada-2015.aspx
  9. ^ http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id53795/--council-approves-funding-for-edmonton-arena
  10. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/03/08/edmonton-arena-funding-question-alberta-budget.htmlh
  11. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/01/23/edmonton-arena-new-funding-framework.html
  12. ^ http://www.gov.edmonton.ab.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/about-the-plan.aspx
  13. ^ http://www.actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org/index.php/news/66-news/955-edmontons-elevate-report-what-it-says-about-poverty-reduction
  14. ^ http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Edmonton+wants+annex+hectares+Leduc+County+including+airport/8052733/story.html
  15. ^ http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/13941/edmonton-wins-smarter-cities-challenge
  16. ^ http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2012/mayor-leads-china-mission.aspx
  17. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2013/03/31/calgary-trans-day-awareness.html
  18. ^ http://vueweekly.com/front/story/queermonton_the_first_weekend_of_pride/
  19. ^ http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2013/02/11/a-new-award-for-the-mayors-celebration-of-the-arts/
  20. ^ http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/edmonton+public+library+waives+12+fee+for+cards+during+its+centennial+year/6442826772/story.html
  21. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/03/12/edmonton-library-centennial-celebrations.html
  22. ^ http://alberta.ca/acn/201206/325290013C9D9-A64C-8BBD-52E800A0210B970E.html

Template:Persondata