Edmonton, I’d like to introduce you to Wade Sorochan. Though chances are you’ve already met. After 30 years interviewing city residents, celebs and politicians on Edmonton’s airwaves, Wade’s become a respected voice and passionate spokesperson for being informed and getting involved in civic affairs.

That’s why we’re happy to welcome him as the new host of Edmonton This Week, our weekly radio show and podcast which starts its new season this Saturday, September 10, on 630 CHED (7:30 am and 6 pm).

I sat down with Wade to chat about his time as a broadcaster in Edmonton and why he thinks Edmonton this Week is an important way for people to stay informed and get involved.

Tell me a little about your time as a broadcaster in Edmonton.

Well, I was born and raised in Edmonton so have been fortunate to spend my whole career here. I started in radio back in 1980 when got my first break on CJCA’s Bill & Bill Show, which was then the top rated talk show in Alberta. I worked for a while behind the scenes then became a feature on the program, nicknamed “The Tone Arm” because of my knowledge of music and how I used music to enhance the show, which at the time was not really done in the talk show industry in North America.

I love talk and information radio and I eventually hosted my own talk show on CJCA called Life Talk With Wade Sorochan, which was similar to The Bill & Bill show in that it was really a two and a half hour free-for-all. We had guests like celebrities and experts, but I really just wanted to let Albertans talk about whatever they wanted to talk about. In the end, the show became very successful as one of Edmonton’s most interactive radio shows.

What are the ingredients for a great interview?

First it comes down to what makes a good interviewer: Someone who is a good listener, who is very inquisitive and knows the subject inside and out. If you have those qualities, your guest  will  feel comfortable responding to the questions and you’ll be prepared for a line of questioning that may arise that you didn’t plan on. You have to always be thinking about what the listener might want to know and try to provide that information through the interview.

What drew you to the City’s Edmonton this Week radio show on CHED?

I’ve always thought the show was a great vehicle for people to learn what’s going on in the city and about the programs and initiatives the City is constantly working to provide.

People don’t get a lot of opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and hear from the people who actually work to make Edmonton a world class city. There’s so much amazing work being done all the time and I think the more people learn, the more they will be proud of their city and the more they’ll get involved.

What do you hope listeners take away from the new season of Edmonton this Week?

They should take away the fact that this city is not stagnant. Especially these days you can almost feel it moving forward like a freight train; moving to be a leader in so many different areas – technology, transportation, economic revitalization. And when you hear that you think: ‘Wow, the City is really doing something for me here.’

When people get complacent I believe it’s because of a lack of knowledge. This show gives you that knowledge of what the City is doing and then hopefully you’ll understand that they’re doing it for you. To make your life better in the city that you live in. I hope we can really get to that this season.

One addition I’m excited for this season is a new chance to provide feedback on topics and suggestions for the show through email. People can get in touch with the show at etw[at]edmonton.ca (replace [at] with @) and let us know what they want to hear more of on the show. We really want the show to be timely with what’s happening this week. Hence, the title “Edmonton this Week” I guess (laughs).

What keeps you living and working in Edmonton after all these years?

I just love this city. Like everyone I gripe about the weather, but you know what? I have so much to be thankful for in Edmonton. My roots are here, my family, and when I look around at the growth and really feel the rhythms of the city there’s amazing things happening all around.

The more I stay informed, the more I really delve into what’s going on in the city, the more I’m invested in it. It becomes more than just a city. It becomes my city. And that’s an important feeling to have. I hope that I can bring some of that passion to my time as the host of Edmonton this Week.

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, or email the show at etw[at]edmonton.ca

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, our host, Marvin Polis of the City of Edmonton’s Communications team, takes us inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen to the entire show:

Listen to an interview:

• Bike Month 2011
• Downtown Arena update with City Manager Simon Farbrother
• New home insulation rebate program
• Summer storms flood prevention

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

I have great neighbours. They invite us for dinner, watch our home while we’re away – they are always there to help.

In my neighbourhood, we are big car users. The shops are far away so it’s not typical to use our bike or walk to run errands. But that might change! A new pharmacy just opened close to home, and it was quite exciting for my 3-year-old and myself to bike to get there last Sunday.

On our way there, my caring neighbours saw us at an intersection and asked us, looking concerned:

“Are you guys ok?”

They looked rather surprised when we explained that we were crossing this 4-lane road to go to the pharmacy.

I think my neighbours are the perfect example of how, as Edmontonians, we rely on cars. So much that it surprises us to see our friends walking or biking for “functional” trips.

Thankfully, the City has a plan. To encourage us walk, bike, carpool and use transit. A plan to provide transportation options and make it easier for us to choose sustainable options. This plan is called “The Way We Move”. I invite you to take a glimpse into what a future Edmonton can be.

http://www.edmonton.ca/thewaywemove

The City and the Katz Group have approved an agreement framework to build a new downtown arena in Edmonton. While the two organizations still need to develop and agree on a final Master Agreement, this marks a crucial next step.

The agreed-upon terms reflect what the City has heard from residents in Edmonton, and substantially meet Council’s conditions from April. The framework puts a cap on the building cost, identifies that the City will own the building and land and guarantees that the Edmonton Oilers will stay in Edmonton for at least 35 years.

The agreement framework includes:

• The price for the  arena building is set at $450M
• The City’s contribution to the building is $125M
• The Katz Group will contribute $100M
• $125M will come from a user-pay facility fee
• The City will own the building and land
• The Katz Group will operate the building and be responsible for all maintenance, upgrades, operating and capital expense costs

So, what’s next in the Arena saga?

Next up will be the negotiation of a final Master Agreement between the City and the Katz Group. This agreement will more clearly define the obligations and responsibilities of each partner and will advance the project to the next stage. Also next – design of the project will start, including discussions with Edmontonians.

For more information on the downtown arena project visit:
http://www.edmonton.ca/downtownarena

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, our host, Marvin Polis of the City of Edmonton’s Communications team, takes us inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen to the entire show:

Listen to an interview:

• Aging in Place project
• Big Bin 2011
• Building Great Neighbourhoods
• Community Murals 2011

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, our host, Marvin Polis of the City of Edmonton’s Communications team, takes us inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen to the entire show:

Listen to an interview:

• Get Ready in the Park
• Compost Awareness Week
• REEL Waste Film Fest
• Connections 2011

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, our host, Marvin Polis of the City of Edmonton’s Communications team, takes us inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen to the entire show:

Listen to an interview:

• North LRT construction launch
• Cornerstones: Our house next door
• Master Naturalist Program
• 15 to Clean Challenge

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

[Editor's Note: Please excuse the low sound level on the videos. Using headphones helps.]

Edmonton City Manager, Simon Farbrother, and Lorna Rosen, the City’s Chief Financial Officer, speak to media about the proposed downtown arena project on March 31, 2011. The conference follows the release of new reports on the proposed downtown arena which provide Council with additional information for the next phase of decision-making, at the April 6 Council meeting.

Read the news release.

The April 6th Council meeting can be live streamed here.

Opening Remarks

Media Questions (part 1 )

Media Questions (part2)

Welcome to the Edmonton this Week Podcast, an in-depth look at City of Edmonton programs and initiatives that affect your life. Each week, our host, Marvin Polis of the City of Edmonton’s Communications team, takes us inside City Hall and around Edmonton to speak to the people who operate our city.

Listen to the entire show:

Listen to an interview:

• North LRT Sustainability
• Proposed Downtown Arena and Revitalization (learn more)
• Spring Roadway Maintenance

The Edmonton This Week radio show airs every Saturday at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm on 630 CHED.

Edmonton this Week is also available on iTunes

Please leave your thoughts and comments below, but note that it may take time to answer specific questions.

When cities want to fund a large-scale project, but don’t want to dip into general property taxes, chances are they’ll look at using a Community Revitalization Levy (CRL). Essentially, it’s a way of using future property tax revenue from new development inside the CRL zone to payoff the project costs.

The idea is that the new public project will encourage private sector investment that otherwise would not occur in the area. The resulting new development generates tax revenue that would not otherwise occur and raises property value within the area. It’s this new tax revenue that is used to pay off the project costs – not the property tax being collected prior to development. It’s basically a way of making sure there is no impact on tax payers and no taxes are taken away from crucial services elsewhere.

Once the initial investment has been repaid, development revenues are directed to the City’s general tax levy.

If City Council supports the development of an area and if they support using a CRL as a source of funding, then the City formally requests The Province (Alberta Municipal Affairs) to establish a CRL.

From there, City administration prepares a CRL plan that includes details of public consultation, costs, project scheduling and risk and presents it to Council.