Evergreen line, development hot issues for candidates

By Leneen Robb - Staff Reporter

The shocker at Wednesday's all-candidates meeting came when political newcomer Warren Kung inexplicably urged voters to support fellow candidate Ralph Banni in the March 3 Coquitlam council byelection.

But the focus of the meeting was on issues such as rapid transit (SkyTrain versus the Evergreen Line), the proposed development of 3,500 condos on the old Fraser Mills site and the hypothetical amalgamation of the Tri-Cities.

Eight of the nine candidates hoping to lay claim to the council seat formerly occupied by Louella Hollington -Ewho resigned last year to move to Vancouver Island -Ewere at the meeting.

The ninth, Arthur Crossman, was unable to attend because of a death in his family, the moderator said.

About 50 people attended the forum, which was sponsored by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.

That number was likely lower than it would have been if two other key political events -Epublic hearings on the future of the old Fraser Mills site and the proposed closure of eight Tri-Cities schools -Ehad been scheduled for a different evening.

Realtor and 25-year resident Ralph Banni cited the possibility that the Tri-Cities will not get rapid transit and his belief that business taxes are "too high" as concerns.

Marilyn Collins, who has a background in business management, said she ran as an independent in the 2001 provincial election, and was a constituency assistant to former Liberal MLA Bonnie McKinnon (Surrey-Cloverdale).

"I don't believe that you have to have lived here for 25 years and served on every committee to be an asset," she said.

Fred Herbold, a manager at Canadian Pacific Railway, said Coquitlam taxes are "rising almost twice as fast as inflation."

He added that, "It's inconceivable that the (city's) budget performance is only reviewed four times a year," and said his management experience would allow him to "hit the ground running."

Kung said he has three reasons for running, and each is "to help people improve their lives." He also said he opposes "high taxes" and supports SkyTrain.

Neal Nicholson said he would be "vigilant and unrelenting" in protecting our water, and would demand money for rapid transit.

"I'll keep an eye on your tax dollars," he added.

Linda Reimer, a former banker who once headed the District 43 Parent Advisory Council, said she's lived in Coquitlam for 25 years and wants to see a "more responsible approach to taxation and budgeting."

She also called for more citizen input into council decisions and said she has been attending council meetings since 2005, when she ran unsuccessfully for a school board seat.

Jason Thorne (no relation to Coquitlam-Maillardville NDP MLA Diane Thorne) said he's a third-generation Coquitlam resident.

The BCIT grad called for Greater Vancouver Regional District board members to be elected, rather than appointed, and added that the city needs "proper planning" for both public transit and roads.

Harry Warren, who ran in 2005 for mayor of Coquitlam and has lived in the city his entire life, said council should hire "at least" 20 more police officers, and that representatives of stream stewardship groups should be involved in the development permit application process.

He added that he has attended more than 100 council meetings during the last decade, which he believes has prepared him to represent residents.

On the issue of whether they would be personally willing to "champion" the issue of amalgamation of the Tri-Cities, Anmore and Belcarra, Kung said he would, but only if there was a clear mandate from the public.

Nicholson said he would "like to see us explore the possibilities with our neighbouring municipalities," while Reimer said she wouldn't at the moment, but would consider doing so if there was a "great desire" for it on the part of residents.

Thorne said he would, and that the entire Lower Mainland should be amalgamated in the future, while Warren said he supports amalgamation for the Tri-Cities as a "protective measure" against future amalgamation with Burnaby and Vancouver - he added that a GVRD-wide amalgamation would produce a "Toronto-type nightmare."

Banni said he wouldn't support amalgamation, but would be interested in combining police and fire department resources.

Herbold said he doesn't support amalgamation, but could look at areas of co-operation between Tri-Cities municipalities.

Collins said she doesn't believe "we have to lose our identity to become one family."

On the question of whether they support SkyTrain or Evergreen Line technology, and whether they favour a northern (through Port Moody) or a southern (along the Lougheed Highway corridor) route, most candidates came out in favour of SkyTrain.

Warren said he favours SkyTrain along a northern route, since a southern one would put development pressure on Colony Farm Regional Park and the Riverview Hospital lands.

Three candidates -EThorne, Banni and Kung - said they favour SkyTrain along a southern route; Thorne because the City of Port Moody would fight a northern route, and Banni with the caveat that a southern route not affect the Riverview Hospital lands.

Collins said she favours SkyTrain but did not specify a route.

Nicholson, Reimer and Herbold said they favour the Evergreen Line - Nicholson because it's the most advanced in terms of the planning process and he's afraid if the region chooses something else, there will be more delays. Reimer agreed, while Herbold said he has "serious concerns" with the Evergreen Line but it's time to stop debating the issue.

Two candidates -EThorne and Herbold -Ecame out against the proposed condo development on the old Fraser Mills site.

"The issue is, where's industry going to go?" Thorne said.

"I think it's too early to be developing down there," Herbold said, adding that Austin Heights and Burquitlam should be densified first, which would help keep schools in those areas open.

There was lukewarm support among candidates for replacing the RCMP with a municipal force in order to get more officers.

Only Banni and Reimer said they would consider it.

OPTIONAL CUT

When asked which decision made by the current council they most disagree with, both Nicholson and Warren cited a change in streamside regulations, which affects how close to watercourses buildings can be constructed.

Reimer said she was most disappointed by council's "backtracking" on The Beedie Group's proposal for Fraser Mills, after it encouraged the company to create a development plan (council subsequently gave the plan preliminary approval).

Thorne said he most disagreed with council's support for the Evergreen Line, while Banni was most upset by council's move to shift some of the casino funds it receives to road repairs, instead of giving the money to community groups.

Collins said she disapproves of council's "inability to move forward" on the issue of rapid transit, while Herbold was upset about council's approval of a 25-cent tax on plastic bags.

He said he understands the intent of the tax, but questioned how effective it will be.

END OPTIONAL CUT

* Look for a special byelection section in the Wednesday, Feb. 28 edition of The NOW. Each candidate will be profiled and will be asked which three issues they believe are most important. Also on Feb. 28, the Burquitlam Community Association will host the final all-candidates meeting of the campaign, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Banting Middle School, located at 820 Banting St.

published on 02/23/2007