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SkyTrain flip flop flip
We finally have SkyTrain now being planned for our community thanks to the provincial government finally figuring out that LRT would not fit with the high density that is planned along the SkyTrain route.
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Policing and public safety
When I ran for mayor in 2002 and 2005, I pressed the city to hire 25 more police officers to reduce case load and to provide better safety for our streets. In 2005, it was reported by Statistics Canada that Coquitlam had one of the worst rates of population to police officer ratios in the country for a city of its size. In 2005, this topic was even raised by MP James Moore...
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Parks and Recreation
We need more lighted artificial turf fields. We will re-build the Poirier rec centre...
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Environment
Because of the devastating windstorms in previous winters, we must come up with a comprehensive plan on how we should deal with the unsafe trees in our parks...
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The Gateway Program, roads, transportation and planning
We need better transportation links over the proposed expansion of Highway 1. Burnaby and Surrey are getting additional overpasses and underpasses for the highway, but Coquitlam is being left behind with only the current interchanges, and King Edward underpass being replaced. I believe we should be pressing the provincial Gateway Program for an additional overpass at Blue Mountain Street to link with United Boulevard, on the south side of the highway. Most importantly, we must ensure the landowners are consulted and dealt with fairly, and environmental concerns are going to be handled properly.
Also, I believe we need a long-term planning commitment from the province and TransLink to build a major east-west thoroughfare that connects us regionally between Port Moody, through Coquitlam, and Mission (besides than the current Pitt River bridge rebuild). We need better bus service in the region. And I support the neighbourhood works program of repaving, sidewalks and lighting.
Development
I believe northeast Coquitlam needs better communication with the existing residents about future development. Around the city, there are areas that need to be revitalized like Burquitlam, North Road, Austin Avenue, Maillardville and Brunette Avenue. We should look at improving the secondary suite bylaw. As councillor, I will maintain the characteristics of neighbourhoods, such as housing sizes and design. I support the city's proposed heritage list. I support the creation of more affordable housing but I would like to see affordable housing intergrated with ongoing developments so this can distribute low income earners evenly throughout the city and not concentrate social issues into one building or one neighbourhood. I do support the construction of a regional emergency shelter as I have been asking for this ever since I have run for office.
Evergreen, the arts and the library
I support the long-term goals of Evergreen Cultural Centre to build a playhouse and an outdoor theatre by Lafarge Lake. We need to ensure that the public library is properly funded at the Poirier and Town Centre branches and that the library meets the short- and long-term goals for new books and expanded library branches. We do need a new larger branch for the Town Centre area.
City finance
I will keep property taxes low, ensure the city services are fiscally responsible and be accountable to public spending.
I want budget deliberations to begin in September and have public consultation, as they do in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, well before the financial plan is given its first reading. As well, I want public consultation on policies surrounding tax breaks for land ownership of non-profit groups.
The mayor's salary is the second highest in the Lower Mainland after Vancouver's mayor. We should be decreasing the mayor's salary in accordance to a city this size.
We should be looking at a long-term plan to amalgamate the region's three cities and the two villages, and having a ward system to elect councillors from each area regionally. Each municipality should begin this dialogue by looking at efficiencies of combined buying power, consolidating policies to avoid duplication and having a task force to deal with the different policies that must be negotiated.
Local election rules/penalties for misconduct
We need to have a comprehensive review on how municipal elections are being run in the city. We need to streamline the process where we can make it transparent to the voter. We need to make sure that all candidates follow the disclosure rules. We should have voters go to assigned polling stations with voter ID numbers.
Once a person is elected to the council chambers, there should be defined rules on conflict of interest, an oath of confidentiality and penalties for any member of council who is deemed to have broken public trust.
Tourism
I want to make the northeast sector a magnet for tourism with major destination attractions in time for the 2010 winter Olympic Games. I want to promote the region throughout B.C. With the newly approved hotel, conference centre and classy lounge along with the new Red Robinson theatre at the casino, this will be a focal point for tourism in our city and region. It will increase hotel stays, service businesses and interest in our area.
Harry Warren also supports:
- Community consultation before public hearings
- Bridging better relations with neighbouring cities, First Nations and Coquitlam School District #43
- The active participation of residents’ associations
- The promotion of economic development
- Improving the home-based business bylaw
- An open-door policy with residents
- Maintaining full-service gas stations in our city
- Cleaning up trash, litter and graffiti on city owned land and buildings
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