Three-term Coquitlam Coun. Barrie Lynch has announced he will seek the mayor's chair when voters go to the polls in November.
And in announcing his candidacy this week, Lynch wasted little time in outlining what he believes are the differences between himself and Mayor Richard Stewart, who he said lacks leadership and has been unable to unite council. He said the mayor appears to put more of a priority on making public appearances than doing city business.
"I can only speak of the times we have had meetings that he hasn't made because he has a public appearance," he said. "There have also been many times that one of the councillors, usually the acting mayor, has been required to chair meetings because of his reluctance or perhaps inability to do so."
'RIDICULOUS,' MAYOR STATES
Stewart, who told The Tri-City News that he will be seeking re-election, shot back at Lynch, saying he has only missed one meeting and it was to attend a charitable function about which he had informed council. He added that there have also been times when he has allowed the acting mayor to chair a meeting because he was suffering severe back pain.
"That is quite ridiculous," he said of Lynch's statement. "I have attended my council duties almost religiously. Council knows that. There is no question that I am out in the public and I do go to public events. I consider that to be part of the duties of the office."
While it is still early in the campaign, Lynch said he has already received considerable support for his candidacy from members of the community and council.
Both Coun. Neal Nicholson and Coun. Lou Sekora told The Tri-City News they would back Lynch. The rest of council said it was either too early to decide or that they would not be making public who they're supporting for the city's top elected job.
Lynch, a longtime Coquitlam resident, said his platform will focus on tax rates, transportation improvements, business recruitment and retention, housing, recreation and environmental issues.
In the last election, he garnered the most votes out of any of the councillors running.
Other election news:
PORT MOODY
Longtime Port Moody resident Robert Simons said he wants to replace Mayor Joe Trasolini and will run for his job in the upcoming civic election.
Simons, who has lived in the city for 31 years and has an extensive business career, said he wants to make the mayor's office more accessible to the public. For more information about the candidate and his campaign go to www.robertsimons.ca.
Trasolini announced earlier this summer he will not run for re-election.
