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?
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of stewardship, the responsible management of resource use.
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?
There is still a lot of work to do in the city of New Westminster and a missed opportunity was to consult with residents associations, students at Douglas College, NWSHS and other stakeholders on all issues.
3.What do you see as the major opportunities and challenges for the upcoming Council term in regards to sustainability?
Opportunities are going to be difficult to afford but should be developed for the long term by engaging the public. The cost of running New Westminster will be a challenge while affording the services the public would like to have.
4.The City will be developing a Master Transportation Plan within the next term, what would you like to see included in that plan?
Comprehensive movement plan to get vehicles in and out efficiently instead of building our road network for two or three hours a day. The people that live work and play in New Westminster should not have to endure movement challenges for the other 21 hours a day. The public must play an important role in any plan to be developed.
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?
I support the question going to the public as a referendum after ensuring that all options are presented to the people of New Westminster.
6.Do you support a Tree Bylaw to regulate the removal of nuisance trees on private property?
Consultation with property owners must be done prior to any implementation of rules in regard to “private” property.
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?
NO! Our city is too small and too road challenged to have a facility.
