Age/occupation: 57, councillor, photographer
Craig Hodge may have only been on council for one term but his involvement in the community goes back a lot further than that.
Before retiring in 2011, he was a photojournalist with The Tri-City News, witnessing many of the changes and developments in Coquitlam through the lens of his camera.
Today, after three years on council, Hodge said he has enjoyed helping shape the community rather than just documenting it.
He notes the development of the dry-floor sports facility located near Poirier Street and Winslow Avenue and the purchase of the 112-year-old Booth farmhouse, which the city is planning to preserve, as council accomplishments in his first term.
Hodge, who lives on Burke Mountain, also points to his abilities as a consensus builder.
When he was first elected, he said he pushed for a Tri-City multi-jurisdictional business licence, which required approval from not only Coquitlam council but Port Coquitlam and Port Moody as well.
Hodge is also the chair of the Riverview Lands Advisory Committee, which oversees the 244-acre hospital grounds. Council has been unanimously supportive of turning the land into a health facility and Hodge believes that will likely help when the provincial government finally makes a decision on the future of the site.
"Everybody is sending the same message to the provincial government," he said. "Hopefully, the provincial government will eventually hear that message and respond."
