WEBSITE: www.alanburke.ca

EMAIL: alan@alanburke.ca

PHONE: 416-699-ALAN (2526)

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I have extensive experience in working in the Beach community to solve problems, assist residents, and small business owners. Earlier this year, I was approached by residents on Blantyre Avenue and Courcelette Road to assist them with an OMB appeal on a three storey house which was not appropriate and posed privacy issues for residents. I worked with the residents several nights, and presented their case at the OMB, and won. I have extensive experience in working with government and other public agencies, and know how to get it done, and have the tenacity to see it through.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
More focus on involving parents in board decisions. Look at sharing resources with the other school boards in Toronto. Work with other publicly funded organizations to benefit from group purchasing; i.e. natural gas, text books, etc. Aggressively move into solar hot water and solar generated electricity to reduce utility costs, and sell excess power back to Toronto Hydro. Work cooperatively with other school boards and the TTC to pool resources to reduce transportation costs. Reduce the disadvantage schools in lower income neighbourhood face, since their School Councils can’t raise the same amount of money as schools in higher income neighbourhoods.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
We should avoid selling off schools since demographics change; we may need the school in the future. Schools are community assets, it is important to keep the school for the community. We can work cooperatively with other groups, and government agencies to turn schools into one stop community hubs for residents. We could put day cares into vacant schools, and put government offices into them; as well as provided space for non-profit groups, small businesses, artists, and other cultural groups. If you make schools too large students feel disconnected, and this leads to problems in the school.

4. Do you support the province’s decision to try to negotiate two-year, no wage increase contracts with the school board’s unionized employees when existing agreements expire?
Due to the large deficit the provincial government has run up during the recession, the province must reign in spending over the next five to ten years. The other dynamic the government must deal with is the slow recovery of tax revenues. Now is not the time to raise taxes for either the public or businesses. I support the province in trying to negotiate a public sector wage freeze. Many in the private sector (including myself – I own and run a small business) have had to weather tough times; the public sector should also help out in this regard.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
I am a self-employed business owner; running a company providing phone systems, cabling, and consulting services in telecommunications. I hold a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Concordia University, certificates from Humber College in LAN Administration, and a Telecommunications Certificate from Ryerson University. My community experience is extensive; I am president of the East Beach Community Association, and I have previously served on the Toronto City Cycling Committee. I am married with one daughter (Katherine) who is currently a student at Bowmore Public School. My wife Janet is a family physician in Toronto.