What are Port Moody's main financial challenges and how should those be addressed?
"I would like to see sound long-term financial planning so our tax rates are stabilized and low. We have to do good planning on community amenities, and be very clear on what amenities we want financed through development, such as a pedestrian crossing over St. Johns near Moody middle [school]."
What issues will the Evergreen Line bring (good or bad) and how should those be handled?
"Investing in our public transit in the region is a great thing and it will provide more options for people to commute to work. We have to be careful to make sure the development that comes to the community is the right fit, and we have to be proactive around issues related to crime and make sure we're prepared for that."
What does Port Moody's "small-town charm" mean to you, and specify how you would preserve it.
"It means we know our neighbours, we can walk to various businesses and we know the people in the businesses. I introduced an advisory design panel so experts look at development proposals and make sure they're the right fit for the community, and that's one way to preserve the small-town charm. I am concerned about the lack of density limits in the official community plan; I'd rather see balanced development so we don't lose our character or make traffic problems worse."
What large infrastructure/capital project do you think Port Moody should build next?
"The priorities for me are upgrading the Inlet Centre soccer field and doing something with the Kyle Centre. Down the road, we have to look at expansion of the library."
Name two other top issues facing the city, and how you would tackle them.
"We can't solve Port Moody's traffic problems unless we work collaboratively with other municipalities [through] the Tri-Cities Transportation Committee and at the regional level. And one of our big goals will be to expand Rocky Point Park with the potential sale of the Mill and Timber site because it's our last opportunity to expand that park and it's only going to get more popular as our population increases."
