Another Port Moody resident has publicly announced her intentions to run for council in the fall.
Haven Lurbiecki is vying for a seat around the horseshoe in the upcoming municipal election — set for Oct. 15, 2022 — after serving on several city committees over the last four years.
According to her campaign page, Lurbiecki's platform is three-fold: housing, parks and economy.
She believes these areas are in need of improvement, but also more collaboration with Port Moody's population expected to reach 50,000 people within the next 20 years.
"Growing responsibly means not overdeveloping while ensuring new housing actually meets the needs of our community, including more rentals and family-oriented development," explains Lurbiecki.
"We also need to focus on expanding and improving our parks and creating more local, well-paying jobs. Together these all support a high quality of life in Port Moody."
Lurbiecki served on Port Moody's parks and recreation commission, and has long advocated park expansions across the city — most notably Rocky Point Park.
If completed, she claims this can help avoid potential overcrowding with the projected population growth.
"Ensuring Port Moody remains such a desirable place to live into the future will require careful planning. As a small city we need to focus on the right type of growth but not overdevelop," adds Lurbiecki, who has a masters in resource and environmental management from Dalhousie University, and a bachelor of science degree from Simon Fraser University (SFU).
"Port Moody’s next city council has to take a responsible approach to growth while building housing types we actually need. We have focused for too long on luxury condos.
"I'm so looking forward to talking to residents about the future of our wonderful community."
Lurbiecki says she's received several endorsements from local community members and organizations, including current city councillors Hunter Madsen and Steve Milani.
She's the fourth known council candidate for Port Moody, joining Richard Biedka, Johann Contreras and Kyla Knowles in the race.
For more information on Lurbiecki and her platform, you can visit her campaign website.
You can contact Lurbiecki directly by smail: contact@votehaven.com.
As well, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a series of all-candidates debates for local 2022 civic elections.
Port Moody mayor and council nominees will get the chance to speak to the issues that matter to them, and take questions from the public, at the Inlet Theatre on Sept. 28.
