If you’ve got a penchant to make a difference in Port Coquitlam, the mayor wants to hear from you.
Up to a dozen PoCo residents are sought for Mayor Brad West’s newly created roundtable, a citizens’ advisory group that will help to steer policy at city hall.
But for those who want to be a part of the quarterly discussions, the deadline is nearing: Applications need to be in by noon on Jan. 28.
Chaired by West, the open meetings will see volunteers give feedback on a variety of municipal topics from housing and financial planning to seniors and youth programming.
As a result, West said he wants a broad cross-section of the community at the table.
“I want to make sure everyone is represented,” he told The Tri-City News on Tuesday. “I want to see people who have lived here all their life and residents who have moved to Port Coquitlam in the last two years. I want business owners and workers who swing a hammer for a living.”
Still, it won’t just be city policy raised as West is also calling for participants to bring issues forward. “It’s not just a one-way street. We want open communication on things the city may not be aware of.”
City staff will be on hand during the roundtable discussions and minutes will be taken to report back to council; input may also be included in budgeting and strategic planning documents.
The advisors, who will sit for a one-year term, will be named at the Feb. 12 council meeting. To apply, visit portcoquitlam.ca/citizenadvisors.
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Meanwhile, the first Cultural Roundtable of the new year takes place on Thursday, featuring the city’s new events producer.
Alex Bickers will talk about his role in developing festivals and events in PoCo and how Tri-City groups can get involved; applications to be on the PoCo festival committee will also be accepted at the meeting, which is free and open to people in the arts and cultural field.
The roundtable meets from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Michael Wright Art Gallery in the Gathering Place, at Leigh Square Community Arts Village (beside PoCo city hall).
