1.Sustainability seems to be a common word these days, but its use is often ambiguous. How do you define the word “sustainability”, and how does it relate to the job of a City Councillor or Mayor?
Redirecting heavy truck traffic from Front Street to Royal Avenue turns backwards the clock on sustainability in New Westminster. Mayor and Council are responsible for this decision.
2.Still on the subject of sustainability, what do you see as the major successes in New Westminster during the last council term, and what were the missed opportunities?
Success is the decision not to proceed translink project in Sapperton.
3.What do you see as the major opportunities and challenges for the upcoming Council term in regards to sustainability?
To relocate truck traffic back to Front Street. To construct the new Civic Centre to highest LEED certification. To re-start and continue with energy conservation and efficiency in City’s operations and communityat large.
4.The City will be developing a Master Transportation Plan within the next term, what would you like to see included in that plan?
Sensible solutions to out frustrating traffic problems. Reduce traffic in residential areas, not increase it.
5.Translink continues to mull a replacement for the Pattullo Bridge. Would you rather see the bridge repaired, replaced with a 4-lane structure, or replaced with a larger structure? Would you support tolling the bridge to pay for its replacement? If you don’t support replacement, would you support tolling the existing bridge?
Until we have a complete picture of costs and other details, replacing with 4-lane seems the most practical solution. I am well aware that members of the community prefer a larger structure, and some people prefer no bridge at all.
6.Do you support a Tree Bylaw to regulate the removal of nuisance trees on private property?
Tree bylaw – definitely.
7.Now that Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Management Plan is approved, would you support the location of a Waste-to-Energy plant in New Westminster?
Would strongly prefer not to have Waste-to-Energy plants or similar facilities within New Westminster. Such facilities shall be located outside of metropolitan areas, not right in the centre of Metro Vancouver where New Westminster happen to be.
