What are Port Moody's main financial challenges and how should those be addressed?
"It's an ongoing process but one of the main challenges is to keep taxes down, and we've gone a long way toward that by coming up with a 50-year asset maintenance plan. That coincides with the departmental reviews we've done, and we're just starting to reap the benefits of that in reduced overtime and absenteeism. "
What issues will the Evergreen Line bring (good or bad) and how should those be handled?
"The good things it's going to bring are a way for the people of Port Moody to get to other areas of the region, and it's going to bring opportunities for new businesses to bring employees into the city. Everybody's worried about an increase in crime, but the police have a plan for that."
What does Port Moody's "small-town charm" mean to you, and specify how you would preserve it.
"It's the ability for residents to connect with each other and become involved in the community. The more we can get people involved in the arts, in sports, that's what will enhance the small-town charm. We can also do more events that bring families out, like the community picnic and fireworks, that's key to maintaining the charm."
What large infrastructure/capital project do you think Port Moody should build next?
"We have to look at a Kyle Centre restoration or rebuild. On the old fire hall site, any redevelopment should include a community gathering space, be it a library expansion or a combined arts/cultural centre for performing arts."
Name two other top issues facing the city, and how you would tackle them.
"People have to understand the official community plan is a very broad visioning document, and it's done that way purposely because amenities will be required. The parks, transportation, the other infrastructure, we'll have to put in there as we negotiate with developers. The broader your vision, the more you have an ability to leverage the OCP in order to get the amenities that we require."
