Upcoming byelection

The Burquitlam Community Association recently held an all candidate's meeting for the upcoming by-election.  Bits of it are appearing on their website.  The format was interesting.  I didn't get the feeling that everyone was given a fair shake at the questions, first of all.  This was unfortunate as there were some questions I was hoping to hear the answers from specific people and seemingly randomly someone else would be called. 
One question I did wonder about was the question about someone having to be resident in Coquitlam to run.   Apparently the criteria is:

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria:

• Canadian citizen;
• 18 years of age or older on or before general voting day;
• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
• not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment   from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office.
   

 So I guess having someone who doesn't live in Coquitlam is best for Coquitlam?  Well why not?  They can't do worse than someone who marginalizes Burquitlam because they live a half hour away on the eastern edge of the city. 

Burquitlam is a funny area - on the eastern edge of Burnaby and western edge of Coquitlam.  This area has a slightly higher aging population than the rest of Coquitlam.  The area has a higher ethnic content based on language spoken at home, compared to the rest of Coquitlam. Not surprisingly the household income in Burquitlam is less than the rest of Coquitlam.  It is understandable that people in this area are upset about their taxes rising.  But the reality is that as the metro Vancouver area moves here with the access to transit, rents and taxes will increase.  Sadly that means some of the people who have been here for awhile may be driven out.

But it doesn't have to mean that we let people who don't even go through this area on a daily basis make decisions about what is best for us.  Interesting to note that a candidate, when asked how he could possibly justify representing Burquitlam since he had never been to a meeting, side-stepped the question.  Interesting to note that only two candidates and one current Councillor have even been to the Burquitlam Community Association meeting.  Let's leave it at that.

ONA President to run for council

Yoinked from the Burquitlam Community Association website - which has pulled it down??

From the Now News:
http://www.thenownews.com/craig-to-run-for-council-1.619650

Oakdale Neighbourhood Association president Ben Craig has officially confirmed his intention to run in the Coquitlam byelection next month. - See more at: http://www.thenownews.com/craig-to-run-for-council-1.619650#sthash.Aeo3db0D.dpuf

"I'll run on a platform that supports communities, our small businesses and the taxpayer," Craig said in an email to the Tri-Cities NOW. "With the cost of government going straight up in our city, I believe a taxpayer-focused councillor is desperately needed. I've been a financial advisor for 15 years. I understand the value of a dollar and the need to stick to budgets." - See more at: http://www.thenownews.com/craig-to-run-for-council-1.619650#sthash.Aeo3db0D.dpuf

"Burquitlam will transform in the next few years," he said.
"With Evergreen Line construction underway and thousands of new residents coming to our area, it's more important than ever to have a strong voice for our region."
- See more at: http://www.thenownews.com/craig-to-run-for-council-1.619650#sthash.Aeo3db0D.dpuf

We truly wish him good luck as Burquitlam desperately needs more vocal representation on Council.

You can find Ben on Twitter @bencraig

On Facebook, like Ben Craig for Council

And On Linked In.

Burquitlam Community Association

The Burquitlam Community Association is on hiatus for the summer but I understand there will be a special meeting at some point. 

Evergreen Line January 2012 Update

Well they say it's going ahead.  11 km, 6 stations (turnstiles?  could we be so lucky)

The Tricities News had an interesting article.   According to the news
"Currently, city staff are working on four neighbourhood and area plans to concentrate the influx — in City Centre, Maillardville and Burquitlam as well as in Partington Creek, a new area on Burke Mountain."

And this doesn't sound good for Burquitlam....
"But according to a 2012 action plan report released Monday, the neighbourhood plan update for Burquitlam — where development pressures are being felt in anticipation of an Evergreen Line station by Burquitlam Plaza — is listed as “currently not resourced,” a comment that annoyed many councillors at the council-in-committee meeting. 
“We’ve been working full-out and we’ve had more success in getting more efficient in the planning department,” Irvine told The Tri-City News Wednesday. “Burquitlam is important. It needs a new area plan because it’s got the Evergreen Line. It’s got significant demands now for higher-density development in that area. And we really do recognize that we need to improve the overall community amenities in that greater area.” "

They talk about community meetings, input, changes to the neighbourhood plan - but considering we're the first stop on the line, how come they are under resourced here?  I realize that they are right - the vocal minority is the loudest voice.  But the silent majority?  Maybe they need to start coming out the Burquitlam Community Association meetings.  There's one coming up this week.

Burquitlam Community Association

The Burquitlam Community Association meets the first Thursday of most months at Miller Park Community School, 7:00 pm in the downstairs music room. They do not have a website but you can email them at bcamail@shaw.ca