Diversityinageanddemographiconcitycouncil
Paigewillbringa
LifelongTri-Citiesresident.
MemberofMayor’sCitizenAdvisoryRoundtablesince2018.
“Nancyisastrongadvocate forPoCoResidentsandhas beenanexcellentCityCouncillor.Sheworkshard,listens, collaborateswithourteamand bringsforwardpositiveinitiates tomakePoCoanevenbetter place.“
–BradWest MayorofPortCoquitlam
“NancyhasbeenapillarofthePortCoquitlamCommunityfor manyyearsandcontinuestosupportinitiativesthatbenefitthe residentsandcausesdeartoherheart,suchasmentalhealth andanti-bullying.Nancyisapositiveleaderandrolemodel andhasreceivednumerousawardsforhercommitmentsto peopleandcauses.Nancyhasproventobeavaluedmember ofCouncil.”
-CarolTodd www.amandatoddlegacy.org
“Nancyhasbeenahardworking andconscientiouscouncillor, whoalwaysputsPortCoquitlam first.I’mpleasedtobesupportingherforre-election.”
–MikeFarnworth MLAforPortCoquitlam
“Nancyisoneofthemostinvolved councillorsIknow.Weneedheron councilforherenvironmentalcommunityinvolvement,andingeneral”
-DavidMounteney, LocalNatureEnthusiast
“GlennPollockisapivotalmemberofourCouncilTeam.
Age: Notprovided
YearsasPortCoquitlam resident:25+
Occupation: Executiveand boardadministrationfora pensionplanandlong-term disabilityplan
Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork: PortCoquitlam CommunityFoundation (boardchair);ThePeople’s PantryFoodRecovery Society;Tri-CitiesChildhood ResearchActionTeam; CoquitlamRiverLions. Website: dawnbecker.ca Email: dawnbeckerpoco2022@gmail.com Phone:604-319-4652 Twitter:@DawnBecker Facebook: @DawnBeckerPoCo
Whyareyourunning? I believeit’stimeforchange, afreshperspectiveoncommunityissuesandanew voiceoncouncil.Asthe boardchairforthePoCo CommunityFoundation, andanactivecommunity leaderandvolunteer,as wellaregularattendeeat councilmeetings,Ihavea goodunderstandingofour community,itsneedsand whereopportunitiesmaybe found.Myexperienceleadingandworkingwithdiverse boardsandindividualshas preparedmewellforacouncilrole.Icareaboutmycommunity;Ihavechosentolive herefor25years.Ibringa new,independentvoiceto council.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Continuedliveabilityisimportant.Port Coquitlamisacommunity
peoplewanttoandchoose tolivein.Seniorshave stayedinPoCoafterraising theirfamilies.Manyofthose childrenhavenowchosento raisetheirfamilieshere.The essenceofPoCoisthatsense ofcommunity.Balancing thatwiththoughtfuldevelopmentandgrowthis criticaltoourfuturelivability asacommunity.Housing needs,transportationand traffic,environmental,and commercialandindustrial interestsallrequireabalancedapproach,informed decision-makingandforwardthinking.
Age: Notprovided
YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 30
Occupation:Iamanentrepreneurwhoownedan interiordesigncompanyin theconstructionindustryfor 20years.
Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Duringthepandemic, IvolunteeredwiththeOpen PantryatCoquitlamAlliance Church.
Website:
carknerforcouncil.ca
Email: Carknerforcouncil @gmail.com
Phone: 604-788-0549
LinkTree: @carknerforcouncil
Whyareyourunning? Ihavelived,workedand raisedmyfamilyinPoCo andIwanttobeapartofthe decision-makingprocess thatplansasustainable futureforourchildren.I imaginePoCowithavibrant citycentrewithdiverselocal
shopsandrestaurantsthat becomesasocialdestination,communitygrowthin responsibleandeco-friendly ways,andacommunitythat valuesdiversitybyhelping newcomerssettle,adapt andthrive.Iwantacitythat investsinthingsthatbring peopletogether,suchas sportsandthearts,creating connectionsthattranscend differences,encouragescon versationandstrengthens thecharacterofourcity.
What’syourNo1issue andwhy? Transportationis apriorityinPortCoquitlam. Iwanttoreimaginenewand differentwaystoconnectour community,andconnect ustoothercommunities, that’slessreliantoncars. Whatdoesthatlooklike? Itmeanscreatingbrighter, saferstreetsandwalkways, creatingadditionalbike paths,andcreatingmore sidewalks.ItmeansimprovingbusservicetoSkyTrain. Onourarterialroads,like MaryHillBypass,wehave tolookathowwecanmake themsafer.Forexample, wehavetoreducethecongestionaroundMaryHill Bypass,BurkeMountainand Broadway.
Age: Notprovided YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident:7
Occupation: Realestate agent
Mostrecentvolunteer work:Ivolunteeredwith
Whyareyourunning?
Iwanttomakeadifference locallyandworkwithalllev elsofgovernmenttoensure thatcitizensarebeingheard, theirfreedomsandsecurity asapersonisprotectedand thattheyenjoyasafecommu nitytolivein.Councilneeds strongleadershipandcritical thinkingtosecurethefuture ofourchildrenandgrand children.Asaformerteacher, I’mdisappointedtohearfrom parentshowtheybelievethe systemisbrokenandthatthey aretakingtheirchildrenoutof publicschools.Weneedmore discussionwithparentsand theyneedourhelptowork withschooltrustees.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Wearehavingan emergencyhousingcrisis.I’m verypassionateaboutcreat ingamoreaffordablehousing environmentforresidentsof PortCoquitlam.Affordability canbeachievedwithincreas ingsupplyintherentaland homeownershipmarketand havingthissupplyrespond morequicklytogreaterde mand.Wealsoneedtomake theregulatorysystemsfaster andmoreefficienttogetnew housingbuilt.IfI’melected asacouncillorIwillsupport theinnovativeideasofdevel opers.
Age:51
YearsasaPortCoquitlam
resident: 15
Occupation: Newsanchor Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: HostImagineAwards forSHAREFamilyand CommunityServices,host BCChildren’sHospitalfund raiser,hostMichaelCuccione cancerfundraiser. Email: stevedarling4pococouncil@gmail.com Twitter/Facebook: @stevedarling Instagram: stevedarling1 Whyareyourunning?In aworldfilledwithextraor dinaryexperiences,and,as abroadcaster,beingacity councillorinPortCoquitlam hasbeensomeofthemost rewardingworkIhaveever done.Iamlookingforward tobuildingontheimportant workIhelpedstart,suchas revitalizingdowntown,the GatesParkre-design,traffic calmingandsafety,over500 unitsofaffordablehousing, implementingourclimate actionplanallwhilekeeping
taxesatoneofthelowestrates inMetroVancouver.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? IfeelIhave doneagoodjobathelping toprovidemuchneeded amenitiesonthesouthside includingdowntown,the PortCoquitlamCommunity CentreandGatesPark.IfI amgrantedasecondterm, Iwanttoputagreaterfocus onthenorthsidewithim provementsatPrairieand CoastMeridianandprovide formorepicnicsheltersand amenitiesforfamilies.Iam alsolookingtogetmovingon upgradestotheHydeCreek RecreationCentre.
SARAHHARBORD
Age:40
Occupation: OperationsdirectoratPatinaBrewing Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work:PoCoBIAboard,strata council,theGoutsission FamilyFoundation,TerryFox FoundationandthePoCo
Saintslacrosseleague. Website: sarahharbord.ca Instagram: @sharbord Facebook: @SarahHarbord Twitter: @POCOSarahH
Whyareyourun ning? Thisquestioniswhat mostpeopleaskmewhen theyfirstfindoutI’mrunning. Iamraisingmyyoungfamily inPortCoquitlamandbelieve thereisaneedforthatvoice onPoCo’scouncil.Ibelieve municipalgovernmenthas moreimpactonourdailylives thanattheprovincialand/ orfederallevels.Iwanttobe partofthedecision-making processthataffectsthelives ofPortCoquitlamresidents.I believemycalmdemeanour; aswellasmyapproachability, arekeyassetsinregardsto representingPortCoquitlam residents.Iwanttohearyour ideasandhelpthembecome realities.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Iwanttobein volvedinhelpingfindshorttermandlong-termsolutions withcomplexissuessuch asaffordabilityandclimate change.Iamluckyenough tobothliveandworkinour beautifulcity.Iwanttocon tinuemypreviousworkwith theBIAandsupportPort Coquitlambusinessleaders tocontinuetogrowourlocal economy.Iwanttobetheres idents’voice,Iwillcommunicateclearlyandhonestly.
Age: Notprovided YearsasaPortCoquitlam
resident: 27
Occupation: Notprovided
Website: derekjeffery.substack.com
Email: pocoderek@proton.me
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Thecomingeffects offoodshortages,andfood povertyduetothewrongheadeddecisionsmade byotherbranchesofgov ernmentwillundoubtably needtobesolvedlocally. Preparationandfar-sightednesswillbethekey.Wewill needtodevelopshort-term mitigatingplanning,apolicy onbackyardgardeningand poultry,traininginforaging andhowwemightsharethe richesofthistoil.Long-term ideasincludeaswitchtofruit treestock,evenallowing homeownerstofelltreesfor thisneed,whiletransforming ourstreetsandboulevards intotree-linedparadiseswith homeowners’help.
Whyareyourunning? Thesingularfocusonman datesandlockdownsoverthe lasttwoyearshasputundue hardshiponbusinessesand individuals,whosebusi nesseswereputonthebrink ofinsolvencyandemployees’ incomewaslost,resulting inunneededstressandsuf fering.Governmentshould betherealmwhichlimits thesehazardsandmitigates theirharmsiftheydooccur againsttheirbestefforts, ratherthanbetheircause andexacerbation.Localgov ernmentshouldbeabreakwaterandfirewallagainst theusurpationofindividual rights.
Age: 36 YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident:4
Occupation: Admissions advisoratVancouverFilm Schoolandbusinessowner. Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Adopt-a-Spotcleanups.
Website: mithilakarnik.ca Instagram/Facebook: @karnikforcouncillor Whyareyourunning? AsmuchasIaminlovewith PortCoquitlam’samenities, infrastructuredevelopment, naturalbeautyandaccessto sportsandactivities,Ineed toworktowardmakingthe cityatrulyresilienturban city.Resiliencecomesfrom workingcloselywiththemost diverse,mostvulnerableof residentsandgivingthem theknowledge,expertiseand peer-to-peerinterventionto navigatetheirnew,intimidat ingenvironments.Resilience comesfromacknowledging thecommitment,braveryand abilitiesawomanofcolour canbringtothecitycouncil, andrecognizingtheneedto givetherightrepresentation inlocalgovernanceallthe supportthatisneeded.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Community engagementatamicro levelistantamounttoover allprogressandeconomic developmentanditcanbe achievedthroughpeertopeer programscreatedtosupport familiesofcolourandhelp themnavigatenewenvironments,leveragingspecific skillsandabilitiestoward apprenticeshipprograms withlocalbusinesses,rec ognizingthediversityofarts andcultureinherentwithin PortCoquitlamandmakingit frontandcentreinthedowntowncore,givingyoungsters theabilitytoharnessthe poweroftechnologyearlyon andexplorecareerswithin gaming,animationandmov ingPortCoquitlamtoward beinganinclusivetechhub.
As a City Councillor I would represent the overall best interests of the community. My role is to ensure the views, beliefs and interests of all groups are heard.
I was raised watching my parents serve their community. The lessons learned from them are many and valuable. I have been a volunteer for many organizations, leading and giving back and doing what needed to be done.
As an independent thinker I hear, understand and consider all sides of an issue before making a decision.
As a City Councillor and strong advocate for our beautiful city, I will serve the residents of PoCo with commitment, integrity and fairness.
PortCoquitlamCityHall wasbuiltin1914under BylawNo.12thatwas passedonMay16,1913. Thethree-storeybrick buildingoriginallyfaced McAllisterAvenue;however,today,theentrance isoffShaughnessyStreet. Untilthemid-1960s,only thefirsttwofloorsofthe buildingwereoccupied. Alongwiththemunicipal offices,thosetwofloors housed,atvarioustimes, libraryfacilities,police officesandacourtroom onthesecondfloorthat alsoservedasthecouncil chamber.In1966,anew councilchamber,committeeroomandmayor’s officewereconstructed ontheeasternhalfof thethirdfloorandthe balanceofthefloorwas usedasofficespace.It wasdesignatedbythe provincialgovernmentas aprotectedheritagesite inlate1985.–Courtesyof portcoquitlam.ca
Facebook: @nmccurrach4POCOCityCouncil Instagram: @nancymccurrach Twitter: @Nancy_McCurrach
Whyareyourunning? Ihavemadeadifferencein myfirstterminregardsto genderequityandwashonouredtobetherecipientof theUnitedWayoftheLower MainlandCommunity ServiceAwardforworkdone inourcityandnationally. Ourcouncilistheenvyof manybecauseoftheresults wehavedelivered.Iam notafraidtobethatsolo voteopposedtoamotion.I havemoreworktodosupportinglocalbusinesses, thearts,sports,revitalizing thedowntownandhave climateactionideas.Iama dedicatedcitycouncillorendorsedbyMayorBradWest.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Onthedoorsteps themajorityofresidents haveexpressedconcernsin regardstotransportation. Trafficcalmingmeasures onmanystreetsandinfront ofschoolsandparkshave madeadifference,yetmore workneedstobedone.Iwill continuetoadvocateforall
modesoftransportationimprovements;improvedroad safetysolutionsinhigh-trafficareas:schoolzones, Prairie,CoastMeridian, PittRiver;Prairietrafficvolumeneedstobedecreased withbuildingtheFremont connector,moremulti-use pathswithsaferbikeconnectionsbetweenthenorth andsouthside,alongwith theSkyTrainextension, andtheWestCoastExpress expansion,allwiththeurge toencouragemoreelectric vehicles,andwalkingwhen possible.
Age: 50 YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 25
Occupation: Startuptechentrepreneur,withpriorcareers ascomputersystemsengineer,projectmanagerand managementconsultant. Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: CurrentlyIamserving ontheboardofdirectorsfor WestCoastClimateAction Network,amalocalcampaignorganizerwithForce ofNatureandserveonmy stratacouncil.Thispast summerIhelpedcoordinate theadultdrop-insoccer
programinourcommunity; inpastyearsIservedonthe PoCoFCexecutiveasreferee coordinatorandbuiltthe youthrefereementoring program.I’vealsoserved asayouthsoccercoach, hockeycoachandscout leader;andperiodicallyoffer mytimefortrailandshorelinecleanupandinvasive speciesremoval.
Website: minty4poco.ca
Email: erik@minty4poco.ca
Twitter: @MintyErik Instagram: @erik.minty.poco LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ erikminty
Whyareyourunning?
Yearsofvolunteerpublic servicehaveshownme howimportantitistotake responsibilityforyourcommunity.Iamconcerned abouttherecenttrendaway frompublicconsultation andthesharpincreasein long-termdebt.Weneed transparencyandpublic consultationoncapital projectsandallocationof taxpayerdollars.Previously, therewerecommitteesthat allowedresidentstoparticipateinthedecisionmaking process.Theeliminationof thesecommitteeshasledto decision-makingbecomingtoocentralized.Port Coquitlamhasalottobe proudof,andweneedstrongeroversightoncouncilto ensurelimitedresourcesare beingprioritizedeffectively andthatweproceedwiththe longterminmind.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Ifhalfthecityis underwater,trafficcircle designwillbetheleastofour worries.Criticalfloodrisk mitigationactivityhasbeen ignoredandisanincreasing concern.Wearesurrounded bythreerivers,oneofwhich istidal,andliveontopof naturallypoordrainage.A
sharpriseinoceanlevels ofonemetreormore,increasinglylikelywithinthe decade,alongwithheavier seasonalrainfalldueto warmeroceantemperatures,putsusatsevererisk ofwidespreadflooding.We needtourgentlyprioritize workingwithseniorlevels ofgovernmenttosecurethe fundingnecessarytomitigatethisrisk.
Age: 35 YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident:29
Occupation: AccountmanageratVancityCreditUnion Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Actedasafinancial agentforthe2019federal election
Email: kcmisera@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ kevin-misera-bba-fin Whyareyourunning? Itisgettingincreasingly expensivetoliveinourcom munity.Manyarefindingit difficultjusttomakeends meet.Therefore,prudent planningandresponsible useofbudgetsiscriticalnow
leadstootherissuessuchas increasedcrimeandpoor mentalhealth,whichnegativelyaffectsourcommunity anddecreaseseconomic productivity.Thereisan issuewhenworkingpeople andpensionersthathave paidintothesystemcan barelyaffordsheltercosts. Solvingthisissueiscritical.
Age: 57
YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 35 Occupation: SchoolDistrict 43/CUPE561treasurer
morethanever.Ibelieve myfinanceexperienceand businessbackgroundwould makemeaprimecandidate forthecitycouncillorposi tion.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Ibelievethemost pressingissuecurrentlyfacingusisaffordablehousing. Housingisabasicnecessity andafoundationforliving anenjoyableandproductive life.Whenpeoplecannot adequatelyaffordshelterit
Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: “GreenerCity”–plantingtreesandremoving invasiveweedsearlierinthe year.
Website: Darinnielsen.ca Email: darinn@telus.net Phone:604-671-4580
Whyareyourunning? Iliveinthiswonderful communityIcareabout, andthatIthoughtIcould contribute,thatIcould makeadifference.Inpast campaigns,Iadvocatedfor installingflashingbeacons atcrosswalks,trafficcalming
inschoolandparkzones, extrarecyclingatChristmas, largeitempickup;fencedtot lot,Adopt-A-Spotprogram, lowtaxesandmore.My common-senseleadership withmystrongvoiceonbehalfofresidentswillensure theirconcernsareaddressed togetthejobdone.Iwant tocontributetomakePort Coquitlamthebestandsafestcityweareproudtocall home.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Community safetyistoppriorityofPort Coquitlamthatresidents
Ihavespokenwith.The concernsincludethecompletionofinstallingflashing beaconsatcrosswalksto preventanotherdeath!The othersinglebiggestneighbourhoodconcernIhave beenhearingfromresidents isspeedingandreckless drivingalongresidential sidestreets.Thedemandfor speedhumpstocalmthe neighbourhoodisveryhigh amongstresidents.Another safetyconcernisschool zonesneedtostillbemade saferwithspeedhumpsat eachendofthezone,andfor schoolswithplaygroundsto bedesignatedplayground zonesforaddedsafetyfor children.
Age: Notprovided YearsasaPortCoquitlam
resident: 52
Occupation: Retired Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork: 23yearsasacity councillor.IbelieveIamthe longestcontinuouslyserving councillorinPortCoquitlam history.
Website: Penner4Poco.ca
ShaughnessyStreetin downtownPortCoquitlam isthecity’smaindragthat includesmanyshopsand offices.ItishometoWaves Coffeehouse,wherePrime MinisterJustinTrudeau madeastopwhilecampaigninglastyear.The arterialroadalsoincludes theGiggleDam—adinner–showtheatre—as wellasPortCoquitlamCity HallandDairyQueen.All businessesinthecoreare membersoftheDowntown PortCoquitlamBusiness ImprovementAssociation (BIA),ofwhichJennifer McKinnoniscurrentlythe executivedirector.Formed in1994,theBIAisanonprofitorganizationunder thedirectionoftheexecutivedirectorandvolunteer board. MARIOBARTEL/TRI-CITY NEWS
Email: penner4poco@gmail.
com
Phone: 604-916-0459
Whyareyourunning? Ihavebeenalong-time residentofourwonderful community.Growingup here,wenttoschool,got married,raisedourfamily andstartedourfamilybusinessMeridianMeatsand SeafoodinPortCoquitlam.
SoInotonlyhaveareal senseofwhatourcommunityisaboutbutalsowhat weneed.Thereforeensuring thatourpolicies,projects anddevelopmentswillbe
inthebestinterestofPort Coquitlam.Controlling taxesisparamount.We arethethirdlowesttaxed communityinallofMetro Vancouver—thisisnotby luck.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Ithinkit’salittle simplistictosayjustanumberone.Dependingonwho youare,yourdemographic residentshavevariedperspectivesonthis.Affordable housing,homelessnessare verymuchattheforefront. Butthedownloadingof servicesandcostsfromthe federalandprovincialgovernmentshaveprofoundeffectsonourmunicipaltaxes. Reducingourgreenhouse gasemissionsandprotecting ourenvironmentsothatwe canensureourfuturegenerationshaveaplanttoliveon. Thesearejust—Ibelieve —someorthenumberone issues.
Mostrecentcivic/volun
teerwork: Memberofthe Mayor’sCitizenAdvisory Roundtable.
Website: paigepetriw.com Instagram/Facebook/ Twitter/LinkedIn/ YouTube: @paigepetriw Whyareyourunning?
Diversityinageanddemographiconcitycouncilis imperativetorepresentthe manydifferentviewpoints ofresidentsandbusiness ownersinPortCoquitlam. Inmodernhistory,thisdi versityhasbeenlacking.My
goalistobringafreshvoice, newperspectiveandrenewedenergytothecouncil table.Millennialwomen— specificallybusinessowners, mothersandleaders—have apowerfulvoiceinour community.Theperspectivewebringtothetableis substantial,andourstake inthiscommunity’sfuture isdeep-rooted.It’stimethat voiceberepresentedonPort Coquitlam’scitycouncil.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Accessibility andaffordabilityaretwo intertwinedissuesthatare extremelyimportantasour communitygrows.Without havingaffordablehousing, commercialspaces,programsandservices,ourcity becomeslessaccessibleto familieslivingoffamodest orlimitedincome.Inadditiontofinancialaccessibility, ourcouncilmustalsowork toidentifyaccessibilitygaps ofalltypes,includingdevelopmental,neurological, physical,racial,andothers. Accessibilityconsiderations andaccommodationsmust beintegratedintoallcity
projectsandinitiativesto ensureourcommunityis welcomingandinclusivefor allitsresidents.
Age: 64
YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 41 Occupation: Constituency assistanttoPortCoquitlam MLAMikeFarnworth Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Haveservedthelast 14yearsasamemberofPort Coquitlamcitycouncil.Also serveontheboardofthe People’sPantry,theboardof PocoSaintsJuniorLacrosse aswellasotherboardsand committeesasappointedby MayorWestincludingthe MetroVancouverHousing Committee. Email: glenn_pollock@ shaw.ca Phone: 604-771-4415 Twitter: @pocoglenn Facebook: @ReelectGlennPollock Whyareyourunning? I’mrunningforre-election becausefirstandforemost IlovethejobandthinkI’m goodatit.Weasagroup
accomplishedalotthis termnottheleastofwhich wascompletingournew communitycentreontime andonbudget.Ithinkwe alsowereandcontinueto beveryfiscallyresponsible. There’salotmoretobe donesuchascompleting theclimateactionplanas wellasupgradestoanumberofthingsinthecitylike LeighSquare,VeteransPark andtheCoquitlamRiver Bridge.Ialsoaccomplished alotindividually.Istarted thePeople’sPantryFood RecoverySociety,helped
establisharentbanktohelp strugglingpeopleandfamilies. What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Thereareso manythingsthatneedtobe addressed,climateaction, communitysafety…thelist goeson.ThethingI’mmost passionateaboutthough isaffordablehousing.I’m personallyresponsiblefor about140unitsofthejust under500unitsoftruly affordablehousingthatare comingtothecity.Ithink weneedtocontinuetopush forwardonthisandalso branchoutbyofferingmore housingoptionsforresidents.Ithinkwealsoneed toincludeAffordableHome Ownershipwhichhashappenedinothercommunities.Ourrecentlycompleted HousingNeedsAssessment showedusthatweshould bebuildingaround500new unitsperyeartomeetthe RegionalGrowthStrategy.
JUSTINA.SMITH
Age: 24
YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 21
McAllisterAvenueisa one-wayeastboundstretch fromMapleStreetthat connectswithMaryHill Road.TheCityofPort Coquitlam’s$4.3-million inupgrades,whichwere officiallycompletedatthe endofFebruary,included afreshnewstreet-level blacktopandangled parkingonthenorthern side,aswellasplanters andbollards.Accordingto thecity,thenewfeatures aresettomakehosting festivals,likelastmonth’s streetparty,smootherand easierforliveentertainmentandfoodvendors.
“Themodernstreetscape wasdesignedtoemphasizesafetyandaccessfor pedestriansandcyclists, andalsofeaturesasustainabledrainagesystemthat directsrainwatertoward streettrees,”thecitysaid. Aswell,improvementsare comingsoontoincludea 2,500sq-ft.plazaalongsidetheDonaldPathway extensionnexttoTheMet housing-commercialprojectbyQuarryRock.
Occupation: Campaign strategistatNew/Mode Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Volunteertohelprun andsetupPortCoquitlam’s youthopenmicnight. Supervisorvotingofficerfor ElectionBCduringthelast provincialelection. Website: Justinalexandersmith.ca Email: sjustin0326 @gmail.com
Twitter: @Justin4poco Facebook: facebook.com/ justin4poco
DearPortCoquitlamresidents,
AmessagefromMayorBradWest
ServingasyourMayorhastrulybeenthehonourofmylife-andeverydayI’vedonemyverybestandworkedashardasIcantobeworthyofthat honour.IloveourcommunityandIamincrediblyhumbledtohavebeenacclaimedasyourMayorforanotherfouryears.
IwanttosincerelythankthepeopleofPortCoquitlamforyourtrustandconfidenceinme-andfortheprivilegeofservingasyourMayoragain.Iam incrediblyproudofwhatwehaveaccomplishedoverthelastfouryearsandIamveryexcitedaboutwhat’stocome.PortCoquitlamisgoingthrough aperiodofrevitalizationandrenewal-withnewenergy,vibrancy,amenitiesandservicescomingtoourcity-whilealsoenhancingthatclosecommunityfeelingthatmakesPoCosuchaspecialplace.
Noneofthiswouldbepossiblewithoutastrong,experiencedanddedicatedCouncilteam.Whileweallhavedifferentideasandperspectives,we cometogetherwithacommonvisionofwantingtheverybestforPortCoquitlam.
I’mproudtobesupportingmembersofCityCouncilwhoareseekingre-election:DeanWashington,DarrellPenner,GlennPollock,NancyMcCurrach
Whiletherewon’tbeanelectionforMayorthistime,Idon’ttakeourresidents’supportforgranted–andIneverwill.I’mstillouteverydaymeeting
Thankyouandbestregards,
thelastprovincialelection. Website: Justinalexandersmith.ca
Email: sjustin0326 @gmail.com Twitter: @Justin4poco Facebook:facebook.com/ justin4poco Instagram: @Justinalexandersmith
Whyareyourunning? I’mrunningtogiveyoua seatatthetableandfindcol laborativesolutionstoPort Coquitlam’stoughestprob lems.Throughoutmylifein PoCo,I’vebeeninspiredat whatpeoplecanaccomplish whenweworktogether.We haveincrediblepeoplewith amazingideas.Iwanttouse mypositionascouncillor togiveyouaplatformanda voice.Wecanfindsolutions tohousingaffordabilityand environmentalsustainability whileimprovingpolitical engagementbysittingdown andworkingtogether.
What’syourNumber1 issueandwhy? MynumberoneissueisHousing Affordability.Weneedto ensurepeoplecanafford toliveinourbeautifulcity. Whetheritbeyourkids leavingthenest,seniors
lookingtodownsize,ora youngfamilywantingto startalifeinPortCoquitlam, strongactiononaffordable housingwillallowustokeep familiestogether.Byputting peoplefirst,wecancreate housingthatworksforthe residentsofPortCoquitlam whilemaintainingourcity’s uniquecharacter.
*DEAN WASHINGTON Age:57 YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 55 Occupation: Ownerand PresidentofGRiPTireStores andRPMMediaPublishing, three-termcitycouncillor Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Leadvolunteer/chairpersonoftheDowntown PortCoquitlamCarShow &Cruise.PortCoquitlam Foundationboardmember. Email: washingtond@portcoquitlam.ca Facebook: @rpmcanada Whyareyourunning? I’mrunningtocontinue myworkwithMayorBrad Westascouncil’sdesignate forfinanceandbudgetthat Ihavehadthehonourof overseeingthepast10years. Responsiblemanagementof taxpayerdollarsiscouncil’s
firstandforemostpriority. Iwillalsocontinuetobe astrongvoiceadvocating thecityfocusonproviding excellentcustomerservice andthebacktobasicsphilosophyofprovidingstrong coremunicipalserviceswith afocusonoverallcleanliness andcommunitysafety.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Revitalizationof downtownPortCoquitlam. AsthecouncillorwhooverseestheexcitingtransformationofourdowntownI seethepositiveeffectsfrom whathastranspiredtodate andlookforwardtodeliveringanoverallvibrancyto thedowntownwithnewa bowlingalley,restaurants, retailersandprofessional
servicesinawalkablearea thatwillcreateasafeandfun gotospotforourresidents.
Age:44
YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: Recentlymovedto WalnutGrove(Langley)due toaffordabilityissues.
Occupation: Costco
Wholesale
Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: ThePortCoquitlam Accessibility,Equalityand InclusionCommitteein 2021. Email:jamilynnwatson4 @gmail.com Instagram:@jamiwatsonforcitycouncil Twitter: @jamibee4 Facebook/TikTok: @JamiWatson
Whyareyourunning? DuringthepandemicwhenI wasworkingthefrontlinesat Costco.Ilearnedtheimportanceofcollaborationand embracingnewideasespeciallyduringchallenging times.Inflation,housingcrisis,overdosespandemicand climatechangearesomeof thethingsourcommunities arefacing.Iwanttobelong toateamwiththemayor, citycouncilandcommunity memberstofindwaysto
facethesechallenges.Asa womanlivingwithadisability,Iwanttobringmy perspectiveandideastothe table.Diversityoncouncil isessentialincreatingan inclusivecityforall.
What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Mynumber1 issueisaccessibilityparticularlywhenitcomestohousing.Mychildrengotoschool inPortCoquitlam,Iwork inPortCoquitlamandour sportsareinPortCoquitlam. YetIcouldneveraffordto buyorrentinmyowncity. Thatisthecasewithalot ofpeople.Irecentlyheard astoryofafamilyoffour withtwokidslivinginaone bedroomapartment.That isonestoryoftoomany.Yes
ThePeople’sPantryFood RecoverySociety,which operatesafoodbankat ElksHallwithsurplusgrocerystorefood,islooking foranewhomeafterthe CityofPortCoquitlamsold theproperty.Executive directorPamEberlsaid thatthearrangementhas alwaysbeentemporary, buthaslastedmorethan twoyears.Theleaseisup Dec.31,andEberlsaid sheisdesperatelylooking foranewspacethatcan accommodatefreezers andfridges,aswellasprovidespaceforsortingand distributingfood.Theprogramhasprovidedhealthy food,includingvegetables,meatandstaples,to about300peopleweekly, andthesocietyhasbeen abletosavemorethan 150,000kgoffoodfrom beingthrownout.Email tppfrs@gmail.com.
therearerentalsbutwhocan afford$2,300amonthfora twobedroomapartment? Wealldeservetohavea roofoverourheads,aliving wage,foodinourcupboards andopportunitiesthatimproveourqualityoflife.
Age: Notprovided YearsasaPortCoquitlam resident: 6
Occupation:Caregiver Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Action4Canada Email: zhou_jenny @hotmail.com Linktree: @zhouforcouncil Telegram: @walkinthetruth Whyareyourunning?
Thereisasilentpercentage ofthepopulationwhohave hadnorepresentationatall inthedifferentlevelsofgovernmentsincethebeginning ofthelockdowns.These aresmallbusinesseswho havebeenforcedtoclose, andpeoplewhostillcare aboutindividualrightsand freedomsandarequestioningthenarrative.Theyare ourneighbours,co-workers,friends,andfamily members,andyettheyare beingvilified,belittledor
COUNCILCANDIDATES
dismissed,byourgovernmentleadersatalllevels asa“fringeminoritywith unacceptableviews.”Iam runningtogivethesepeople avoiceinthiscivicelection. What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Overthepastyear, I’venoticedagrowingdivisioninourcommunitythat isunprecedentedoverthe Covid-19measures.Thisdivisionhasnotbeenmended evenwiththetemporary
removalofthemandates. Thosewhofeltthepain inflictedbythesemeasures havelosttheirconfidencein governmentatalllevels.To restoretrustandunity,decisionmakersmustreturnto afundamentalsetofvalues thatwecanallidentifywith asCanadiansinthedecisionmakingprocess,which includesequality,respect, inclusivityandliberty!
Listen,weknowyou’ve likelybeenabitbombardedwith2022municipalelectionstuffthelast coupleofweeks.
Usaswell.
Andwithsomuch informationtoremem beraheadofOct.15,we wantedtohelpcondense theimportantdatesand itemsyouneedtoknow beforecastingyourballot.
InPortCoquitlam,local residentswillonlybevot ingforthenextcouncil asMayorBradWestwas acclaimed—thefirstoccurrenceofitskindincity history—aswellasSchool District43(SD43)trusteesChristinePollockand MichaelThomas. Thatmeans,eligible voterswillneedtopick fromalistof18people lookingtoearnoneofsix seatsatPoCoCityHall.
Therearetwowaysto castyourballotinPort Coquitlamduringthe2022
Advancepollsandon generalelectionday,from 8a.m.to8p.m.
PortCoquitlamresidentslookingtovoteinthe 2022municipalelection havetomeetcertaincriteriatodoso.
Theymustbe •aCanadiancitizen •18yearsofageorolder onelectionday(Oct.15) •aB.C.residentforatleast sixmonthsimmediately beforethedayyouregis
tertovote
It’srequiredtobring oneormorepiecesof identificationtoapollingstationthatconfirms youridentityandplaceof residence,whichwillensureyoureligibility.
Ifyou’realreadyareg-
Threerunnerscrossthefinishlineatthe42ndannual TerryFoxHometownRun onSunday,Sept.18,at theHydeCreekRecreation CentreinPortCoquitlam. Thehometowneventsaw morethan3,000participantshelpingtoendcancerinthePortCoquitlam hero’sname.Runorganizer DaveTeixeirasaidthe PoCofundraiserbrought inmorethan$80,000for theTerryFoxFoundation, anorganizationthathas broughtinnearly$1billion forcancerresearchsince Foxdiedin1981.Atlast month’srun,adults,kids anddogswalked,ran, skateboarded,rollerbladed andwheeledforthevariousroutes—thelongest ofwhichwentoverthe CoastMeridianOverpass tothenewTerryFoxSpirit Square. NORMANGALIMSKI
