Port Moody Mayoral Candidates

PORT MOODYv te smartP O RT M O O D Y

M A Y O R A L T Y C A N D I D A T E

Port Moody desperately needs good governance

MEGHAN LAHTI

Age: Not given

Years as a Port Moody resi-

dent: 34 Occupation: City councillor, small business owner

Most recent civic/volunteer

work: Member of city council 1996-2011 and 2014present Website: meghan4mayor.ca Email: meghanlahti@ meghanlahti.ca Phone: 778-288-9874 Facebook: @councillormeghanlahti

Port Moody’s got a lot on its plate for the next four years, from the redevelopment of its transit-oriented neighbourhood around the Moody Centre SkyTrain station, to finding space for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles to move around the city safely and efficiently.

But for mayoralty candidate Meghan Lahti, none of those issues will be resolved unless members of council can work together, all rowing the civic boat toward a brighter future.

A veteran councillor of 19 years, Lahti said that hasn’t been happening since the current group of municipal representatives was elected in 2018.

“It all boils down to making people feel valued and included in the decision making process,” she said. “Every one of us has contributed in a negative way.”

Port Moody mayoralty candidate Meghan Lahti says council has to get its own house in order so it can tackle major issues confronting the city, like the need for more park space and the future of the Flavelle property and the transit-oriented development area around the Moody Centre SkyTrain station. MARIO BARTEL/THE TRI-CITY NEWS

The dysfunction has manifested as marathon meetings in which little is resolved, conflict and even — on occasion — tears.

The community has noticed.

SURVEY

In the recently completed 2022 citizen survey, respondents’ satisfaction with the way Port Moody’s municipal government is running the city is down 25 points from 2018, and only 52 percent of respondents said they’re happy with council.

Lahti said she has the experience and leadership ability to turn those results around. Fences need to be mended, and bridges have to be built — on council, with city staff, neighbouring communities, regional partners and even the provincial government. But mostly with Port Moody’s residents.

“Good governance is about being inclusive,” she said. “It’s about being respectful and staying true to the original strategic plan that we have.”

Lahti said good governance starts with transparency; if elected mayor, she wants to bring back a weekly report of everything she’s been up to.

BEING OPEN

“That kind of willingness to be open and not to hide something from council is really important,” she said.

From a foundation of trust and respect, Lahti said council will finally be able to move forward on some of the issues that will reshape the city over the next several years, like: • the redevelopment of Moody Centre • addressing the housing needs of a diverse population • realizing the potential of the old firehall site at the corner of Ioco Road and Murray Street that’s been fallow for several years • enhancing the quality of life for residents with amenities like park space, as well as recreation and community facilities that aren’t stretched to capacity or falling apart.

Many of those issues are intertwined, she added.

High-density development where it makes sense — like immediately adjacent to transit — will bring amenities like shopping, restaurants, perhaps a “new kind” of rec centre.

Infill development, like townhomes and six-storey residential development a little further afield will help address the “missing middle” and bring more opportunities for affordable living.

PUBLIC LAND

Public land, like the old firehall site or the former landfill site on Barnet Highway can be leveraged for needed facilities like seniors housing, a new library and more park space.

“We need to make sure that whatever happens is reflective of Port Moody,” Lahti said.

“It’s not about giving developers whatever they want. It’s about making sure that things are done on our terms.”