Oshawa mayoral candidates lay out downtown cleanup plans

With the municipal election on Oct. 26, Oshawa This Week asked all nine candidates for mayor to outline their plans for downtown safety, cleanliness and livability in 100 words each; seven responded, according to reporting by Matt Slevin published on DurhamRegion.com. Candidates Jim Lee and Joseph Tomlins did not respond.

Proposals vary widely. Sherland Chhangur opposes downtown safe-injection sites and wants a treatment and rehabilitation facility built with all levels of government, plus a dramatically larger police budget. Michael Coons would review the practice of fining businesses for nuisance activity they don't control, push for more visible policing in repeat-incident areas, and create a dedicated place for people experiencing homelessness or addiction to go.

Derek Giberson centres his plan on converting one-way roads back to slower, friendlier two-way streets and improving the pedestrian environment. Jeremy Large proposes two new facilities — a homeless rehabilitation facility and hotel-like social safety net housing — plus a public-option housing goal of 10,000 people living downtown. Tito-Dante Marimpietri backs well-maintained public spaces, lighting, visible crime response, and outreach for homelessness, mental health and addiction, plus a four-pillar plan for housing, post-secondary presence, entertainment and employment. Henry Onwuachu pledges 'compassion and accountability' with expanded transitional housing and treatment, enforcement against public disorder, and a review of funding for programs that don't produce measurable results. Dave Westlake, citing a national safety ranking, says he would consider declaring a state of emergency and would form a task force to deliver a comprehensive plan within 60 days.