Community Contributions

It is always embarrassing for a candidate to talk to others about himself and particularly any awards he might have received from colleagues. That is especially the case since the awards acknowledge achievements which were often collaborative and involved many people (family, volunteers, work colleagues, Municipal Councils, etc.).

Nonetheless, a long time politician once suggested an election is no time to be shy or embarrassed about telling voters where a candidate has shown leadership in the past since past success is one of the best indicators of what could be achieved in the future.

I have been privileged to have many opportunities to work on exciting projects in our community, for the most part with exceptional volunteers and colleagues. With that in mind I am pleased to let you know about some of our proudest achievements working with others in service to our community.

Building positive and long lasting relationships

• Negotiating and maintaining the Joint Leisure Services Agreement between Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows since 1994
• Partnering with Metro Vancouver Parks on several park projects (South Haney Riverfront Park and Walk, Pitt River Greenway, North Alouette Greenway)
• Developing and maintaining the Agreement for Cooperation and Joint Use of Facilities between School District 42 and the Parks and Leisure Services Commission which led to several joint projects like:
  • the Thomas Haney Centre
  • the Eric Langton Hub
  • 7 artificial turf fields
  • the MRSS Track
  • several more joint park and school site developments like the Albion Community Centre and C’usquenela Elementary School
  • a number of play equipment upgrades in a variety of elementary school sites
• Entering into operating agreements with the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society, the Ridge Meadows Arts Council, both the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Historical Societies

Strategic Planning (based on consultation and establishing a collective long term vision of a preferred future) and
Follow Through (implementation of strategic plans which results in enhanced service for citizens)

Developing the North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association Strategic Planning process and implementing the plan which led to improved volunteer management, an enhanced management structure and a new home for the program.

Guiding the development and implementation of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Plans over thirty three years which have resulted in the construction of:

• the Maple Ridge Arts Centre and Theatre
• the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre
• Planet Ice
• the Golden Ears Winter Club
• the Greg Moore Youth Centre
• the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre
• the South Bonson Community Centre
• the Pitt Meadows Seniors Centre (under construction)
• the Maple Ridge Lawn Bowling Centre
• the Haney Brickyard Museum
• the Pitt Meadows Museum
• the Albion Sports Complex
• the Pitt Meadows Athletic Park
• Memorial Peace Park
• Many joint school and park site developments
• the acquisition of hundreds of additional acres of parkland which will serve the two communities well into the future

Advocacy

Lobbying the Provincial Government to adopt legislation allowing the collection of Development Cost Charges for park development (with the BC Recreation and Parks Association and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities), this led to many Park developments in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows which could not have been completed without these resources.