Port Moody's civic byelection is on Saturday. To help guide you at the polls, we asked all the candidates a few questions;
Richard Biedka
• Biedka works in sales for Pacific Seafood Group. He and his family have lived in Port Moody for more than 25 years.
Tell us, in three sentences or less, who you are?
I describe myself as a good neighbour and typical parent; off to work each day, coaching/assisting in the sports/clubs my three kids have participated in like soccer, baseball, dance, music, curling and more.
What motivated you to run for council?
Annual tax increases fuelled me to run for council. I believe we can find ways to reduce these tax increases and be tax-neutral.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general civic election?
I learned while speaking with residents there are more issues other than tax hikes. They confirmed the single biggest one is population densification and problems resulting from more congestion and competition for services.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
My vision for Port Moody is for future generations to experience and enjoy the same things we have: walking the beach, playing in parks and being able to cross the street safely. I will bring a measured approach to council on costs and development. Port Moody has plenty of time to meet the guidelines proposed by Metro Vancouver. My hope is to preserve what we have as we grow into the future.
Cathy Cena
• Cena is a business development manager for a company that manufactures identity products and interior signage. She has lived in Port Moody for seven years.
Tell us, in three sentences or less, who you are?
First of all, I am a mother and family comes first. Secondly, I am someone who is sincere about creating a viable place for our kids to live in. I am someone who loves to give back to a community I believe in.
What motivated you to run for council?
I want to effect change and be part of an amazing community that is going to change in the next 10, 20 and 30 years. Port Moody is an attraction to many and we need to implement the transportation plan and create more rentals and affordable housing throughout the city. I want to be part of the decision-making process.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general civic election?
Housing and affordability; sustainable and responsive supply; and how we are going to funnel everyone through Port Moody. Transportation is a priority as more families move to the area.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
I intend to encourage smart growth for Port Moody and advocate for adequate/necessary infrastructure as the city implements its official community plan. I intend to do this by helping conserve the things that make Port Moody unique while building towards the future. My priorities will be to increase the supply of affordable housing, capitalize on expanding transit opportunities and working with businesses in Moody Centre to support a thriving local business economy.
Jeanette Jackson
• Jackson is a 38-year-old strategy executive and mentor in the clean tech and non-profit sectors. She has lived in Port Moody for 13 years.
Tell us, in three sentences or less, who you are?
I am hard-working single mother of an amazing 10-year-old daughter, who is the person I am most excited about sharing this journey with, to show her that you need to take risks and put yourself out there to achieve your lifelong goals. I am a leader with a career in building my own ventures as well as helping other businesses and non-profit organizations bring their visions to life to make a real impact on the markets and people they serve. Finally, I am a very passionate Port Moody resident committed to bring a new level of engagement to council to ensure our residents’ voices are heard as we make important decisions to manage our City’s growth.
What motivated you to run for council?
With demand from so many people to live and work here, Port Moody faces unique decisions around development, transportation, economic development and sustainability. The decisions we make today will be the decisions that impact our future. I have always wanted to put my energy and ideas to work on city council. I believe councillors need experience, vision, integrity and work ethic to make a positive impact in this role. Representing the community where I have lived, worked, played and volunteered for the past 13 years would be an amazing honour.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general election?
The single biggest issue facing council is ensuring that council collaborates and remains focused to complete the final pieces of its four-year strategic plan so that we take a holistic approach on decisions that need to be made to align transportation and development to properly manage growth. This will include priorities that need to be set for project approvals, OCP amendments, major transportation projects, policy updates, funding strategies and other enhancements to complete this plan.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
My vision for Port Moody is to become a world-class suburban waterfront city. We are uniquely situated around the Burrard Inlet, with growing cities to the east, south and west, and some of B.C.’s most beautiful greenspaces to the north. I have presented four commitments that will guide how I hope to influence and make decisions as your next councillor: Be a strong voice for responsible development; be an active voice for transportation and infrastructure; be an experienced voice for economic development; and be an accomplished voice for sustainability leadership.
Sager Jan
• Jan has lived in Port Moody for more than 25 years. He has worked for international companies and as an officer in United Nations Missions.
What motivated you to run for council?
Deteriorating mismanagement affairs in our governments, rising property taxes, decline in services and disregard for our environments, greenhouse effects, petro oil pipeline and big oil tankers in our waters have motivated me to deal with the concerns and issues facing our city.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general election?
We shouldn’t allow high-density development but encourage single-family housing to deter the level of potential crimes related mostly to congested high-density populations through highrise developments offered mainly to non-residents of our city.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
My vision will reflect limited new construction according to our city’s needs and demands. Growths, because of outsiders wanting to come and live here, frustrates and drains the resources and is not the solution or acceptable to providing housing. Outsiders, especially new immigrants or out-of-province people, should be encouraged to settle in other suburban areas. These outsiders should not be a worry to encourage or require us to build and exhaust our already overburdened resources and facilities, thus congesting our roads, water supplies, parks, sport and policing requirements, etc.
Shane Kennedy
• Kennedy is a 54-year-old businessman who has called Port Moody home for 20 years. He’s married and has two children.
Tell us, in three sentences or less, who you are?
I am a troubleshooter with an independent streak looking for a dare-to-be-great moment.
What motivated you to run for council?
I was motivated because I believe that elected office is the highest form of public service that a person can aspire. In recognition of this belief, I have made two pledges: First, I will neither solicit nor accept donations from unions or corporations for use during my campaign because I believe big money has no place in city politics. Second, that upon taking office, I will lower my council stipend from $33,690 to $25,000.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general election?
The question of the single biggest issue face our city for the coming year, and the years to follow, is the pace of change and growth. My wife and I moved to Port Moody 20 years ago because we wanted to raise our two children in a small, community oriented city. I enjoy being in Port Moody but, like many of our residents, am concerned about the impact rapid development is having on the quality of life in our city.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
It’s time for someone new to join council and bring innovate solutions to issues such as economic development, transportation, enhancing our recreational facilities, along with preserving our greenspaces. As well, we have to find a way to stop punishing homeowners with yearly, higher-than-inflation tax increases.
Gerry Kent
• Kent is a recently retired teacher and a former president of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers’ Association. He and his family have lived in Port Moody for 26 years.
What motivated you to run for council?
I am seeking office because I am concerned about the scope and pace of development that may erode the capacity of the city to meet the requirements of its residents. This does not imply that I am against the revitalization of Moody Centre and other proposals for residential and commercial development. However, these developments need to be planned and scaled in ways that benefit the community without compromising the quality of life, the environment or civic services. They need to be centred around transit hubs and provide amenities to the community. Our public spaces need to be protected and expanded to meet the needs of the many thousands of expected new residents.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general election?
Managing growth and densification is an immediate and long-term issue. The ability to say “no” to developer pressure to exceed density and other restrictions is crucial. Port Moody council needs to stay focused on the intent and specifics of the OCP. City council may have to say “no” to certain developments or requests from developers in order to maintain the integrity of the current and of the next OCP. Having well-developed bylaws and a consistent and predictable approach actually appeals to developers.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
Each development needs to fit into an overall plan. The next OCP needs to be specific and less open to unplanned rezoning pressures from developers. New developments also need to be sensitive to current residents and allow for view corridors and community access to civic facilities and our parks. Our precious waterfront lands need to be protected and, if developed, allow for meaningful public access. Another priority is to seek ways to enhance Port Moody’s economic development, which means more than just allowing for more office towers. Protecting our industrial and commercial lands and attracting new businesses so that the opportunity to live and work in our community is available to residents are important goals.
Hunter Madsen
• Madsen is a former digital media executive. He’s 62 years old and married.
Tell us, in three sentences or less, who you are?
Over the last couple years, I’ve led the fight to preserve quality of life on Port Moody’s north shore by seeking Bert Flinn Park for future generations and resisting excessive densification and traffic growth in the area. A longtime civic organizer and author with a PhD in government from Harvard University, I have been active local in federal and B.C. politics. Now together with my spouse for 20 years, we love this beautiful community and are devoted to Port Moody’s future.
What motivated you to run for council?
Like others, I’ve observed a growing imbalance in how our politicians favour the ambitions of big developers over the protection of current residents’ quality of life — not just on the north shore but across Port Moody. I’m running to restore balance on the council and make sure [former councillor] Rick Glumac’s seat is filled by someone who truly shares his commitment to preserving and enhancing the city’s livability.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general election?
We are at a crucial inflection point for the future of little Port Moody. The city has so many massive building projects either moving forward or on the runway that, unless we take steps now to moderate our growth and reduce over-building, we are in serious danger of exceeding the city plan’s approved population density of 50,000 in 2041, watching PoMo become just another mini-Metrotown, and compromising for all time the special quality of life and community that we came here to enjoy.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
I envision a path to more moderate growth that enhances our special quality of life instead of over-building that spoils it. I will work to see that Council sticks to the city’s approved growth plan and stops exceeding it, and that developers pay their share. Let’s build a more human-scaled, mid-rise skyline, not a barricade of 26-storey towers, and push harder to build more affordable rental units, not just pricey condos. Let’s do more to attract clean, sustainable industries that offer high-paying jobs, and let’s bring in more solar power across the city. Let’s make the most of PoMo’s amazing parks.
Karen Rockwell
• Rockwell has lived in Port Moody with her partner and two children for about 20 years. She works for ICBC and she’s been an active member of the MoveUp union as an executive and representative.
Tell us, in three sentences or less, who you are?
I’m a resident of Pleasantside who is passionate about our city. I’m a wife, mother and grandmother. I previously served three terms (nine years) on council from 2002 to 2011.
What motivated you to run for council?
We are faced with some of the biggest decisions to ever have to consider in Port Moody. The arrival of SkyTrain has opened Port Moody up to some tremendous opportunities and huge challenges that come with those opportunities. We have only one opportunity to get it right for future generations of our city and I want to be part of that exciting process.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Port Moody council in the coming year before the general election?
Development and planning for the infrastructure to support that.
Port Moody is poised to undergo a lot of change and growth in the coming years; what is your vision for the city and how do you think you can help it get there?
I do not want to see any piecemeal development of the Transit Oriented Development zones that would see Port Moody follow in the footsteps of Coquitlam, New West and Burnaby around SkyTrain. I believe council needs to be proactive and to send a clear message to developers that those parcels must be consolidated prior to considering any development application so we can plan complete communities in those zones, rather than simply a number of highrise applications. We must have an integrated approach to these zones that will see them transformed into neighbourhoods that offer sustainable residential, commercial, retail and scale appropriate park and green space. They must reflect the goals of our master plans on parks and transportation.
