Garbage pickup. Development versus wildlife. Homelessness. These three topics are likely on the minds of voters in Coquitlam, and The NOW asked all 20 council candidates where they stand on these issues. Darryl Stickler was the lone council hopeful who chose not to participate in the questionnaire, which asked each person to answer the following three questions in 50 words or less:

Question 1: Should garbage pickup be moved in-house to become a city service to ensure service delivery? If not, what should be done to improve service?

Question 2: Given the planned development of Burke Mountain, what measures would you like to see implemented to protect bear habitat and prevent wildlife encroachment into the city?

Question 3: Aside from a permanent shelter, what other ideas do you bring to the table to address homelessness?

Asmundson is in his third election campaign after first being elected to council in 2005. The 50-year-old works as bus driver for the Coast Mountain Bus Co.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Past president of the Northeast Ratepayers Association; served on City of Coquitlam committees — transit and transportation, environment, administrative services, business and economic development, Coquitlam strategic plan, master park plan, northeast official community plan, Upper Hyde Creek neighbourhood plan, Lower Hyde Creek neighbourhood plan, Smiling Creek neighbourhood plan; past PoCo transit social club executive; volunteering in sports.”

Question 1: “I believe that for a better and more reliable garbage service, the city should go in-house with an automated, single driver garbage pickup system similar to those already in use in other jurisdictions.”

Question 2: “Bear habitat is in many areas of Coquitlam; we need to eliminate the bear attractions. I moved on council that a bear habitat study be done, to come up with recommendations to remove bear attractants. I want to see all new housing to have an area inside for garbage storage.”

Question 3: “A permanent shelter is only a temporary solution for the homeless. What we need is permanent affordable housing, to get people out of a growing homeless problem. To accomplish that we need federal, provincial governments to lead with proper funding to tackle this problem.”

Babcock is a 43-year-old entrepreneur and former owner of Babcock Fly and Tackle on Austin Avenue. This is his first run for office.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Head coach with Coquitlam Minor Hockey; active board member and current treasurer of The Creative Problem Solving Society of BC; seven-year coach of the school program Odyssey of the Mind; former committee member of Ducks Unlimited Coquitlam and BC Wildlife Federation.”

Question 1: “Yes. I think that we should maintain control of services like garbage collection. It enables the city to move more efficiently when considering container size, collection times, bear resistant containers, etc.”

Question 2: “Green spaces, particularly along waterways, need to be vigorously protected. Wildlife encroachment is inevitable but we can certainly discourage it through effective awareness campaigns that highlight preventative steps. Bear-resistant containers, strategic collection times and biodegradable scent deterrents in problem areas should also form part of the plan.”

Question 3: “There needs to be a wholesale shift in public opinion before any meaningful permanent steps can be taken. I believe this can be achieved through our community’s youth. I would work with Coquitlam’s youth to form a task force that would challenge them to seek creative answers to the problem.”

Incumbent Donnelly is seeking his third term on council. The 42-year-old serves as the executive director of the Rivershed Society of British Columbia, a non-profit organization he helped establish in 1996 that’s devoted to protecting B.C.’s waterways.

Political experience: “Six years on Coquitlam council; one year as Metro Vancouver director; chair of environmental advisory, Coquitlam River aggregate and northeast sector environmental stewardship committees; vice-chair, transportation and Riverview committees; city rep, Metro Vancouver waste management committee.”

Community involvement/volunteering: “I have been a community volunteer for almost 20 years. I have volunteered with groups such as: the PoCoMo Youth Services Society, Coquitlam Foundation Land Trust Fund Committee, Society for Community Development, Coquitlam River Watershed Society, Sierra Club of Lower Mainland and Queen Alexandra Hospital.”

Question 1: “I am in favour of moving garbage/recycling in-house as soon as financially feasible. It will improve quality of service, efficiency and worker health and safety (i.e. automated pickup reduces health and safety claims) and increase recycling and compost pickup service to residents and businesses.”

Question 2: “Protecting bear habitat falls to the province, but the city can implement smart growth measures (i.e. compact, complete communities, not sprawling developments); ensure each household has a bear-proof container, curbside composting and is educated about ‘bear proofing’ their household. We should apply to become a ‘Bear Smart’ city.”

Question 3: “I pushed the city to update its affordable housing strategy, now complete and being implemented. The city can offer density bonuses for affordable housing units, add to its affordable housing reserve fund, encourage purpose-built rental units, and dedicate sites for supportive non-market housing. I pledge to end homelessness in Coquitlam.”

Haldorson, 62, is a former construction worker who now volunteers for a community TV network. She did not specify on her questionnaire if she has run for office before.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Active in community and school, I was awarded a certificate of recognition, ‘Enthusiasm, Justice, Community Service and Powerful Political Service.’”

Question 1: “The city needs to move garbage service in-house city employees. Not privatization.”

Question 2: “The city captured a mountain! Bulldozed natural habitat and food. Bears are angry, retaliating against million-dollar homes! Invading natural beauty must stop, with growth. Famous government words ‘We’ll learn from past mistakes going forward.’ They never do. Protect and relocate bears at risk.”

Question 3: “Just ask people sleeping on the streets what they want! Intelligently, begged for the Woodwards building. A solid solution. The government said no, sleep on the streets. They have their own answers. Pushing them from here to there, many never returned. The government responsibility is provide housing, support, structure, opportunity.”

Geoff Hunt is a 35-year-old self-employed IT consultant who’s entering his first campaign for a seat on Coquitlam council.

Political experience: “I have helped run numerous provincial campaigns and have been a vigorous defender of the public interest as a founding member of Friends of the Calgary General Hospital Society. This society was devoted to the protection of hospital lands for hospital purposes. I hope to leverage this experience in the protection of the Riverview lands for future generations.”

Community involvement/volunteering: “I am a beaver leader with Scouts Canada and involved with my children’s school.”

Question 1: “Coquitlam residents need to observe ‘The Project Triangle’ when dealing with services. We have the choice of cheap service, good quality workers or timely service. Pick any two. If we move to a city service, the quality of the workers will be better and the service will be more timely” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 2: “This question should be turned around. ‘What measures can be implemented to prevent encroachment of the city into wildlife habitat?’ The decision to develop Burke Mountain, without drastic changes in the handling of waste, will doom the bears of Burke Mountain. In many other jurisdictions, with the similar bear issues” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 3: “To effectively combat homelessness the City of Coquitlam needs to encourage community understanding, provide resources for the planning and development of shelters and help facilitate timely access to psychiatric and substance abuse programs. The council, through encouraging economic development, can also help to provide the jobs necessary for each resident” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Incumbent councillor Barrie Lynch has run for office four times, and has six years’ worth of experience on council. First elected in 2002, the 52-year-old works as a paramedic.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Prior to being elected I served as president of New Horizons Residents Association, Block Watch captain and coach for Coquitlam Minor Football and Little League. I have served on many council committees and I was also a past chair of the Coquitlam Library Board and was a trustee for eight years. I was a founding director of Public Library Interlink and served as chair. Since being elected, in addition to the many council committees, I have served on I also have volunteered with the Coquitlam Kinsmen, Burquitlam Lions and St. John Ambulance Brigade.”

Question 1: “Moving the garbage collection in-house would ensure staff would be responsive to Coquitlam council direction on service quality problems. Neighbouring municipalities are currently in-house and Port Moody will be implementing this process. The move to an in-house automated system appears to be a good solution with some cost implications.”

Question 2: “Development requires people moving into territory normally free of humans. This requires people and bears sharing space and can be accommodated through green zones. The prime reason bears and people come into conflict is improper care of garbage and other attractants. Implementation of our Bear Aware program will prevent conflict.”

Question 3: “Homelessness is a collective responsibility of federal, provincial and local governments. Cities can provide land or finances towards assistance, promote construction of affordable housing, create affordable housing reserve funds and provide incentives for developers such as density bonusing in return for housing units. Councillors can advocate for the homeless population.”

Doug Macdonell is a 54-year-old retired RCMP officer involved in his second campaign after first being elected to council in 2005.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Chair of sport and recreation advisory committee; chair of administrative services advisory committee, library board, Place des Arts board, Fraser Burrard Restorative Justice board, Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group; vice-chair, Gateway Committee; past-president, Coquitlam City Soccer; former director of Coquitlam Field Sports Association; Coquitlam Minor Football coach; Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.”

Question 1: “I have advocated that the city should move to an automated service run by the city. This type of service works well in other cities and I think it would be a marked improvement over past service.”

Question 2: “The Bear Aware program run by the city is a very good start and bear-proof garbage cans is another. In Coquitlam human/bear encounters are unavoidable. The provincial government must improve their response time by conservation officers. More resources for the Bear Aware program are needed.”

Question 3: “Social services programs must be attached to a permanent shelter so that the homeless can get back on their feet. The provincial government needs to establish assisted living at Riverview for people living with mental disorders. We must ensure that appropriate affordable housing is available.”

Nicholson is seeking his first full term on council after being elected in the 2007 byelection. The 67-year-old chartered accountant previously ran for office in 1999 and 2005.

Community involvement/volunteering: “B.C. Seniors Games treasurer, 1991; treasurer, B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame; treasurer, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 2002 to 2007; Douglas College board, 1993 to 2000; IIG board, 2000 to 2006.”

Question 1: “Yes. Not only to improve service but to provide flexibility to respond to coming changes in volume and classification of waste stream.”

Question 2: “Greater public education through programs like Bear Aware; preservation of existing park areas like Burke Pinecone and additions to provide generous corridors allowing inter-range movement.”

Question 3: “Housing. Affordable housing. Affordable rental housing. Application of concepts like those described at the recent Chamber lunch, such as working with landlords.”

Reid will enter her second decade in the municipal political landscape should she be re-elected Nov. 15. A realtor of 30 years, Reid has served consecutive terms in office since 1998, running eight times over the course of her political career. She did not give her age.

Community involvement/volunteering: “My community involvement as a volunteer is as a member of the gala committee for the Coquitlam Foundation/library fundraisers — and as a board member for the PoCoMo Youth Services.”

Question 1: “I am awaiting with great interest the RFP for the new garbage contract and I hope that our in-house staff will bid as well as any other company … there is a lot to take into consideration in this contract negotiation we certainly do not want any garbage ‘strikes’ … so hopefully we …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 2: “As to the bears and wildlife … we need to keep the Bear Aware program alive and further education to the public … more fines to those who do not pick up fruit, leave out garbage, etc. … unfortunately even before our development of Burke began we have had bear issues, as every other community has …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 3: “As to the homeless … firstly as of last year I believe all citizens became more aware of the problem and got a first-hand look and education as to why some people are homeless … it indeed can happen to us all … when we get a shelter built … we must have transition housing ready so …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Linda Reimer is 49-year-old former banker, who’s now a real estate assistant and appointed councillor with the B.C. College of Teachers.

Political experience: “I have been involved in politics since late 2004, provincially, federally and municipally. I have been involved in various riding associations in various volunteer positions. I ran unsuccessfully in the 2005 election for school trustee, and more successfully in the 2007 Coquitlam byelection, losing to the winner by only 185 votes.”

Community involvement/volunteering: “I have been an involved member of the community ever since my children were born about 18 and 20 years ago. I have a long history of volunteer activities within our community. They include the following: Fraser Burrard Community Justice Society board member; Learning Disabilities Association of BC, Fraser North Chapter, past director; board member, Rotary Club of Coquitlam; director, Westwood Plateau Community Association; past treasurer/registrar, 12th Coquitlam Beavers Cubs and Scouts; District Parent Advisory Council former president; past co-chair, Bakers Corner Preschool; City of Coquitlam economic development and tourism advisory committee; Mayors Task Force on youth mental health and drug addiction; team mom and treasurer on kids hockey and lacrosse teams (past).”

Question 1: “Not necessarily. I believe the union should be invited to bid on garbage collection. It depends on the dollar amount of the bid in relation to the service provided and perhaps most importantly, the reputation of the service provider. Coquitlam has had excellent past service provided by private garbage contractors.”

Question 2: “Educate citizens about appropriate handling of garbage and recycling. Plant some food sources away from development and in our forested areas. Consider only locked, well-sized, bear-proof, centralized neighbourhood garbage bins for disposal of garbage for those the collection schedule does not accommodate.”

Question 3: “Create partnerships and agreements with our three governments, housing and management agencies to provide permanent housing for the homeless. Let’s look at the Toronto Streets to Homes Program. In addition, education on the issue of homelessness is important to ensure the full participation of society in ending this problem.”

Selina Robinson is the director of development for SHARE Family and Community Services Society and a family therapist in private practice. She’s a newcomer in terms of running for office, and the 44-year-old cites her political experience as, “Have had leadership and board positions in community organizations.”

Community involvement/volunteering: “Dr. Charles Best PAC, dry grad committees; Dr. Charles Best school planning council; DPAC; Tri-Cities female ice hockey team manager; Coquitlam city centre area plan update committee; Coquitlam liveable communities committee; Coquitlam community and social planning committee; past board member of Burquest Jewish Community Association; past board member of SHARE Family and Community Services.”

Question 1: “Coquitlam taxpayers have been extremely patient with our current service provider. It is time to move waste management collection services in-house. Residents have been telling me that they have regularly missed pickups, have had their recycling and yard waste placed with regular garbage and that they want better service.”

Question 2: “I would like to see a regional Bear Aware Program that educates residents about minimizing contact with bears. In-house, automated waste management would provide greater route flexibility, and locking garbage cans would minimize wildlife contact and for cans stored outside. Bylaw enforcement would also greatly minimize wildlife contact.”

Question 3: “Mats and shelter beds do not end homelessness. I think we need to engage in a number of ideas to address homelessness. We need to look at policies that address housing affordability and we need to encourage senior levels of government to address mental health and addictions issues.”

Seale, 50, is a legislative constituency assistant who has never run for office in the past.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Crown counsel victim services, RCMP victim services, Earth Day Canada, Canadian Bar Association Lawyers’ Benevolent Fund, PoCoMo Youth Services Society, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, Burke Mountain Naturalists, Como Watershed Society, Rivershed Society of British Columbia, Tri-Cities Womens’ Society, Maillardville Residents’ Association, Friends of Riverview, Walton Park restoration, Coquitlam River Watershed Association, Friends of Mundy Park. I am or have been a member of each of these groups and have participated at various levels in each of them from being a member to volunteering/participating at events to being a committee member on a board.”

Question 1: “Yes, to ensure our service is accountable, sustainable and flexible enough to meet our growing needs and changing climate — one that works with our neighbours and the region.”

Question 2: “I would like to preserve greater corridors and areas of land where bears can continue to thrive and live, and preserve existing parklands such as Pinecone Burke Park. Increasing public education programs like Bear Aware is paramount. I would like to assess whether development further up the mountainside should …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 3: “Coquitlam could consider bylaw revisions to establish a supportive housing unit size that provides the required functionality while minimizing costs to developers. The city could consider an alternative approach to the creation of mixed income communities in major rezoning that would require equivalent value contributions from developers for alternate forms …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Incumbent Sekora will mark his third decade in local politics if elected Nov. 15. The 76-year-old lists his occupation as “businessman,” and has served as the city’s mayor as well as a member of Parliament.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Coquitlam Foundation, Coquitlam Classic Golf Tournament, Maillardville Heritage Square Society, Town Centre Society, served on many other boards.”

Question 1: “Yes, I think there should be in-house garbage pickup. Also, I believe we should have one spring and one fall cleanup, so people can dispose of what is not needed in their homes.”

Question 2: “If Coquitlam was the only city that would not have any further expansion of land development this would not prevent the situation as we have it now. It would have to be done on a much more far-reaching basis.”

Question 3: “Although I think this is a federal and provincial jurisdiction, I think we can build some permanent shelters in the city. I don’t think it’s up to the local government’s responsibility to go beyond what I am suggesting. Only the federal and provincial governments can take this jurisdiction to a …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Listing his political experience as “I’m an outsider,” 19-year-old Shen is a student at Simon Fraser University. He has run for office once previously and lists his community involvement as volunteering for “multiple campaigns with the Student Union at SFU.”

Question 1: “Definitely not! The socialization of garbage pickup will not improve service delivery. Having garbage pickup solely in-house puts us at risk of a city-wide garbage strike like what happened in Vancouver stinking up our city! The best way to improve garbage service delivery is the same way for any …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 2: “The communities of Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam are intertwined, and, yes, bears will be wandering the borders of our cities. My concern, of course, is protecting the habitat of my fellow humans over bears. Homeowners that wish to protect themselves from bears by building steel wire fences, and retrofitting bear-proof …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 3: “No city can prevent homelessness; it’s a greater symptom of problems in the economy and access to facilities for mental wellness, matters that affect the entire country and are best dealt with at the provincial and national level. The best a city can do is work to make housing more …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Twenty-seven-year-old Thorne is running in his third municipal election. A metallurgical processing technician, Thorne lists his political experience as “none.”

Community involvement/volunteering : “This year I have been a member of the transportation and safety committee, have volunteered for the cold/wet weather program when it was at St. Andrew’s United Church, and attend PAC meetings at my son’s school.”

Question 1: “In-house garbage pickup will definitely be a higher-quality service than what we are getting now and it needs to be examined as an option.”

Question 2: “It is hard to protect bear habitat when we are taking away from it, but we need to set up green belts to preserve some habitat. As for prevention of wildlife encroachment, it will be tough, but one thing that will help is not keeping garbage outside and accessible by …” (candidate exceeded word limit).

Question 3: “Other ideas to address homelessness would be to offer more social programs. This would include more availability for detox, access to medication and doctors, but this would require the involvement of the province.”

Educated as a biologist, Trumley has spent almost 30 years with a major financial institution performing many roles, but is currently in commercial finance. He has no political experience and has never run for a political seat before. He did not give his age.

Community involvement/volunteering: “I’ve been involved in a number of civic committees, currently a board trustee for the Coquitlam Library board.”

Question 1: “Definitely garbage should be taken over by the city. Our employees would have a greater commitment to do a better job as well as it provides an opportunity to take recycling to a higher level. Recycling more waste like organic materials would help the environment and reduces landfill costs.”

Question 2: “Ideally, if you want to protect bear habitat you got to stop development, period. The issue isn’t a wildlife encroachment issue, it’s a human encroachment issue. If you want bears to stop coming into your backyard you need to eliminate food sources. That applies to existing and newly planned development.”

Question 3: “Homelessness is a test of our society’s compassion towards others. We really have to co-ordinate the powers in social support services to the homeless at the same time. Return them to a life of dignity as quickly as possible is good for us as much as it is for them.”

Van Rassel, 41, is an optician/contact lens fitter and owner of New Trend Optical. He hasn’t run for political office before, but lists his political experience as an “assistant researcher/writer for Robbins SCE Research.”

Community involvement/volunteering: “I have enjoyed teaching opticians and high school students for job experience and placement. I have made many contributions to community organizations to help them realize their goals.”

Question 1: “We should implement a Coquitlam city-run garbage pickup (mechanized) similar to the Port Coquitlam and the future Port Moody model. This would include an increase in the types of recyclables taken, which will help cover the cost for modernizing the sanitation system, reduce Coquitlam’s eco-footprint and increase environmental awareness.”

Question 2: “To re-introduce the full low-impact development strategy for Burke Mountain’s northeast sector development. Propose green zones running up and down the mountain with underpasses designated for wildlife. Reduce proposed high housing density and increase half-acre to one-acre homes, which would provide space for bear habitat and other wildlife.”

Question 3: “Along with the provincial government, to re-open and refurbish a building on the Riverview site to provide short- and long-term temporary shelter along with short- and long-term counselling, job placement and drug and alcohol treatment. This important issue should and can be addressed with compassion and understanding.”

Warren, 40, is the owner of a manufacturing and distribution business and has sought election on five different occasions. He lists his political experience as having “been an active participant at city council meetings and public hearings for 10 years, asking questions of the mayor, council and staff about city business on the agenda.”

Community involvement/volunteering: “Gateway advisory committee on transportation improvements in Coquitlam; Maillardville cultural and commercial revitalization task force; Southwest Coquitlam area plan committee; Como Watershed Group (co-chair, treasurer and director); Coquitlam Public art task force; Coquitlam Community Liaison Committee (founding member); Coquitlam environment committee; Coquitlam transit and transportation committee; Coquitlam traffic calming panel (chair and co-chair); Mundy Park Community Association (founder and chair since 1997).

Question 1: “We should have a review of how we handle the city’s garbage. I support bringing the service in-house, using automated trucks, if the business model works. And I want to examine technology, like Enerkem, that converts waste to ethanol, which could then be used to fuel city vehicles.”

Question 2: “In the garbage review, I would look at the city to supply bear-proof bins in areas bordering the green belt. Also, there should be a reward system for homeowners who remove attractants — but also higher penalties for residents who repeatedly leave wildlife attractants.”

Question 3: “We need more affordable housing. These units should be included in newer developments — in all neighbourhoods — so we don’t concentrate residents with social/financial challenges in single buildings. As well, we need to lobby for more commitment from the province to address residents with addictions and mental illnesses.”

Wu is a 56-year-old first timer in the political arena, and lists his occupation as an editor/journalist, journalist on leave.

Community involvement/volunteering: “Current member of the Coquitlam multiculturalism advisory committee, past member of the economic development committee, citizen representative for City of Coquitlam at provincial forum on creating welcoming and inclusive communities in June 2008, assignment editor/managing editor of the Chinese daily newspaper World Journal, active in promoting education and heritage languages, served as board director of Tri-City Asian Parent Association, guest speaker at 2007 National Conference on International Language and Education at SFU, co-organized a forum on foreign credential with SFU’s Research on Immigration and Integration in Metropolis (RIIM) in 2005, served as board member of the National Taiwan University Alumni Association of Vancouver.”

Question 1: “With good city labour relations and take complaints from residents about the service into consideration, in-house garbage collection makes sense. We need to get through consultation process before making decision. City also needs to co-operate with provincial government and regional municipalities in order to enhance long-term solution.”

Question 2: “I support education effort to encourage residents to be responsible by not leaving foodstuffs in places and taking care of ripe fruits on backyard. We must develop more practical policies and measures to stop wildlife encroachment in order to prevent the man/animal encounter incidents.”

Question 3: “I support being a caring, compassionate community, and the present policy of working with churches to provide temporary shelter has been smooth. I would propose the idea of planned transitional housing for women and children on street. Consult with senior government on cost sharing should be on agenda.”

Want more information? On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Coquitlam candidates will meet at Douglas College’s David Lam Campus, in Room C1008/C1009, at 1250 Pinetree Way. For details, contact Anne Marie Walsh at solstice1@shaw.ca or 604-767-1766.

After polls close at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, The NOW will have a full news crew working to bring you breaking election updates via our website, at www.thenownews.com.

We will post updates for several hours after the polls close, focusing on the mayoral races in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.

As well, we’ll report who will form your new council and school board, and will have information on the Village of Anmore when it becomes available (the Village of Belcarra is not holding an election this year, since all positions have been filled by acclamation).

Profiles of the three Coquitlam mayoral candidates — Owen Coomer, Richard Stewart and Maxine Wilson — will run in our Wednesday, Nov. 12 print edition.

If you’ve missed any profiles for Tri-Cities or Anmore mayoral, council or school board candidates, visit our website and click on the links under the Civic Election 2008 banner.

The site also features coverage of all-candidates meetings in Port Moody and Coquitlam, as well as news stories about the campaign. To share your views on the election, e-mail a letter to the editor to editorial@thenownews.com.

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20 council candidates in Coquitlam

Tags: Westwood Plateau Community Association, PoCoMo Youth Services, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, assignment editor/managing editor, Selina Robinson

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