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Port Coquitlam Lions Club - January 2009
Lions Club of Port Coquitlam
January 20, 2009
Good evening.
I am very pleased to be here with you this evening to have the opportunity to share my vision for our community and how our City can continue to work with the Lions Club to build a stronger future. And finally, and most importantly, I look forward to a Q & A session so that I can hear from you. The success of our community depends on the active participation and involvement of our citizens.
Before I start on these topics, however, I wanted to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of your club over this past year. It’s been a busy year for Port Coquitlam Lions!
Over the past 20 years, I have taken an active role in our community through work, volunteering and participating in many events and projects. Over the past 6 years, I have had the honour of serving our community on City Council.
As I prepare to lead Port Coquitlam into the future, I also find myself reflecting on our community’s past and those who helped to build the City we enjoy today.
Over our City’s 95 year history -- starting with some of our community’s early pioneers – it has been families that have laid the foundation for our community.
The names of these pioneer families will be familiar to you as you consider some of our local landmarks.
Over the years, our community has weathered world wars, natural disasters including devastating floods and fires, recessions, and financial debt but every time the City Council has delivered positive results and leadership. I look forward to continuing this tradition.
Port Coquitlam is known for its small-town charm, but over the past 15 years our community has grown quickly and these changes have led some residents to feel that our small town charm may be slipping away.
The key is balanced and smart growth. We have a unique chance to uphold the family values and traditions that define our small-town charm. But at the same time, we can embrace the many benefits that come with innovation and community growth.
In order to achieve this, we need to work together. Through Town Hall Meetings, the arts, sporting events, festivals, and the work of our service groups -- we can re-establish PoCo Pride and the small town charm we all love and cherish.
Similarly, we need to work together to tackle the issues that will set the direction for our community’s future. The process will not come easy and it will not be accomplished by one person; we need to work collectively and cooperatively.
During the recent campaign, I outlined a platform for my vision of a better Port Coquitlam. A vision that focuses on community involvement, inclusive governance, environmental enhancement, social inclusion and a realistic visionary transportation and infrastructure plan. All of these supported by transparent and administrative fairness.
The first step in achieving this vision is to revisit the City’s Strategic Plan. This plan will be a comprehensive document to lead our community and corporation forward. As part of this process, I will ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, comment and contribute to the decisions that will lead our community over the next three years and into the future.
I look forward to the discussion and the debates that will guide this process. I especially look forward to the involvement of stakeholders and community groups.
Collectively we can make our community a better place for everyone.
The commitment to community input and collective decision-making will not stop at our strategic planning process.
At the Council table, you will see a collaborative, pro-active, and forward-thinking approach to local government. One that focuses on our common goals – and the overall betterment of Port Coquitlam as a safe and healthy place to raise our families.
I am confident that our Council will bring a blend of unique skills, education and knowledge that will ultimately lead to healthy debates and a better opportunity for stronger, inclusive decisions.
This decision-making will be enhanced by information gathered from our citizens. In fact, at our Inaugural Council meeting, one of Council's first official actions was to endorse a new Council committee system that includes citizen advisors as an integral of the decision-making process.
You have my commitment that this Council will work hard to actively engage our community through on-line surveys, town hall meetings, and at their doorsteps. As Mayor, I will also continue to ensure our residents’ voices are heard and that there are opportunities for everyone to contribute to the decisions that will shape our future.
Successful communities have one thing in common. When important decisions are made, they make sure everyone is considered and consulted.
As noted earlier, in my campaign, I outlined a detailed and comprehensive platform entitled ‘Five Keys to a Better Port Coquitlam’. This document was an accumulation of ideas from our residents, which was received through extensive community engagement.
Although we are entering a time of economic uncertainty and financial challenges, I remain committed to working with Council, community stakeholders and Port Coquitlam citizens to deliver the priorities set out in my platform entitled '5 Keys to a Better Port Coquitlam'. These five keys include: a stronger local economy, improved transportation, environmental enhancement, community safety, and a celebration of community pride.
You will see new initiatives aimed at achievement greater community involvement. Examples include Council’s Community Connections Committee and the Mayor’s Homelessness Task Force.
Working together within our community, and with our business partners and stakeholders such as the Port Coquitlam Lions Club can only result in positive outcomes!
I can’t say it enough. If we are going to achieve success we must work together.
It is said it takes a village to raise a child – I am asking our community to work together to make Port Coquitlam a better place for everyone.
Together we will build on the foundation laid by Port Coquitlam’s pioneers almost one hundred years ago. And together we will enjoy a strong and prosperous community where we all want to live, raise our children, and retire.
Now, in the spirit of consultation and community engagement, I look forward to your questions and discussing in more detail those issues that are important to you.
Thank you.
January 20, 2009
Good evening.
I am very pleased to be here with you this evening to have the opportunity to share my vision for our community and how our City can continue to work with the Lions Club to build a stronger future. And finally, and most importantly, I look forward to a Q & A session so that I can hear from you. The success of our community depends on the active participation and involvement of our citizens.
Before I start on these topics, however, I wanted to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of your club over this past year. It’s been a busy year for Port Coquitlam Lions!
- Fundraising initiatives:
- Aluminum tabs for Lions Foundation of Canada; Meat draws
- Total donations per report: $ 8270.00
- 752.5 volunteer hours
- Volunteer services and local involvement – Terry Fox Hometown Run; Rivers & Trails Day; pancake breakfasts at local schools; Christmas boxes for third-world countries and gifts for local children in need; driving patients to and from the Cancer Clinic
- Major Service Projects – escorting white cane members to and from meetings; collecting eye glasses and hearing aids; Lion Quest seminars
- Organizing Lions Club 60th Anniversary for November 2009
Over the past 20 years, I have taken an active role in our community through work, volunteering and participating in many events and projects. Over the past 6 years, I have had the honour of serving our community on City Council.
As I prepare to lead Port Coquitlam into the future, I also find myself reflecting on our community’s past and those who helped to build the City we enjoy today.
Over our City’s 95 year history -- starting with some of our community’s early pioneers – it has been families that have laid the foundation for our community.
The names of these pioneer families will be familiar to you as you consider some of our local landmarks.
- McLean Park named for Alexander McLean, the area’s first European settler and his family.
- Routley Pool named for the Routley family, who first came to this area in 1905 and are still involved in our community to this day.
- And Galer Way named for the Galer family and Port Coquitlam’s longest serving Mayor, R.C. Galer.
Over the years, our community has weathered world wars, natural disasters including devastating floods and fires, recessions, and financial debt but every time the City Council has delivered positive results and leadership. I look forward to continuing this tradition.
Port Coquitlam is known for its small-town charm, but over the past 15 years our community has grown quickly and these changes have led some residents to feel that our small town charm may be slipping away.
The key is balanced and smart growth. We have a unique chance to uphold the family values and traditions that define our small-town charm. But at the same time, we can embrace the many benefits that come with innovation and community growth.
In order to achieve this, we need to work together. Through Town Hall Meetings, the arts, sporting events, festivals, and the work of our service groups -- we can re-establish PoCo Pride and the small town charm we all love and cherish.
Similarly, we need to work together to tackle the issues that will set the direction for our community’s future. The process will not come easy and it will not be accomplished by one person; we need to work collectively and cooperatively.
During the recent campaign, I outlined a platform for my vision of a better Port Coquitlam. A vision that focuses on community involvement, inclusive governance, environmental enhancement, social inclusion and a realistic visionary transportation and infrastructure plan. All of these supported by transparent and administrative fairness.
The first step in achieving this vision is to revisit the City’s Strategic Plan. This plan will be a comprehensive document to lead our community and corporation forward. As part of this process, I will ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, comment and contribute to the decisions that will lead our community over the next three years and into the future.
I look forward to the discussion and the debates that will guide this process. I especially look forward to the involvement of stakeholders and community groups.
Collectively we can make our community a better place for everyone.
The commitment to community input and collective decision-making will not stop at our strategic planning process.
At the Council table, you will see a collaborative, pro-active, and forward-thinking approach to local government. One that focuses on our common goals – and the overall betterment of Port Coquitlam as a safe and healthy place to raise our families.
I am confident that our Council will bring a blend of unique skills, education and knowledge that will ultimately lead to healthy debates and a better opportunity for stronger, inclusive decisions.
This decision-making will be enhanced by information gathered from our citizens. In fact, at our Inaugural Council meeting, one of Council's first official actions was to endorse a new Council committee system that includes citizen advisors as an integral of the decision-making process.
You have my commitment that this Council will work hard to actively engage our community through on-line surveys, town hall meetings, and at their doorsteps. As Mayor, I will also continue to ensure our residents’ voices are heard and that there are opportunities for everyone to contribute to the decisions that will shape our future.
Successful communities have one thing in common. When important decisions are made, they make sure everyone is considered and consulted.
As noted earlier, in my campaign, I outlined a detailed and comprehensive platform entitled ‘Five Keys to a Better Port Coquitlam’. This document was an accumulation of ideas from our residents, which was received through extensive community engagement.
Although we are entering a time of economic uncertainty and financial challenges, I remain committed to working with Council, community stakeholders and Port Coquitlam citizens to deliver the priorities set out in my platform entitled '5 Keys to a Better Port Coquitlam'. These five keys include: a stronger local economy, improved transportation, environmental enhancement, community safety, and a celebration of community pride.
You will see new initiatives aimed at achievement greater community involvement. Examples include Council’s Community Connections Committee and the Mayor’s Homelessness Task Force.
Working together within our community, and with our business partners and stakeholders such as the Port Coquitlam Lions Club can only result in positive outcomes!
I can’t say it enough. If we are going to achieve success we must work together.
It is said it takes a village to raise a child – I am asking our community to work together to make Port Coquitlam a better place for everyone.
Together we will build on the foundation laid by Port Coquitlam’s pioneers almost one hundred years ago. And together we will enjoy a strong and prosperous community where we all want to live, raise our children, and retire.
Now, in the spirit of consultation and community engagement, I look forward to your questions and discussing in more detail those issues that are important to you.
Thank you.
