Is it Time to Impeach the Mayor and Councilors?
Prior to the 2008 Municipal Election in Maple Ridge, I asked the candidates for Mayor and Councilors the following question, “As the Official Community Plan represents the interests of the majority of the residents, do you support the OCP now and also when you become mayor/councilors?
Responses such as:
“I have read the plan and I think it will serve us well as we build, enhance, and maintain what we need for Maple Ridge” or “I see no reason to not follow it”. Or, “to much hard work has gone into it to ignore”. Or, “the OCP is there for a reason, it’s a document that is supposed to be our plan and guideline for the future”.
These where the responses from some of the current elected officials, who are now responding to Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy Plan with significant changes to the Official Community Plan without Public Consultation. I would encourage those people that forgot to vote in 2008 to become aware of the changes that will come as a result of the proposed changes to the Official Community Plan.
Planting time is now and easy care perennial plants should be on your list. Hostas, astilbe and ferns are smart choices!
The plant sale will be May 30, 2009 from 8-4:00 PM. Prices start at $5 for mature 1 gallon plants.
Location: 12355 Skillen St., Maple Ridge.
Hosta Gold Standard
Hosta La Vista
Yes, a one bedroom home on its own lot in rural NE Maple Ridge. This home will be available June 1, 2009 and rents for $800 per month [utilities such as hydro are approx., $120]. Appliances include fridge, stove, washer & dryer. The home is natural wood inside [except for the bathroom] so you must like the wood look and be non-smoking and have no pets. There is a small area under the house for minor storage and there is parking for 2 vehicles [no garage] Email: Kenhemminger@gmail.com
Auto Email Notification! for Genuine public engagement and consultation.
I know that having access to information is important in all aspects of life.
This simple technique of auto-email notification could be the system that would ensure all people have timely information affecting Public Information Meetings at the District of Maple Ridge. Auto email notification would be done by prescription of course and individuals would determine which classes of notices or all notices that they would receive.
Examples of Possible Categories:
Public Hearings
Re-zoning Applications.
Development Applications
Council Meeting Minutes when ready, etc, etc
Citizens and interested parties can sign up for the District’s monthly e-zine, so it should be possible to adjust the District web site for this new feature.
Notification of this enhanced communication system could be included in the soon to be mailed 2009 Tax Notices as well as some additional advertising to advise Business professionals and interested parties of this feature.
Cheers
As a Realtor in Maple Ridge for the last 36 years, I would like to thank the District of Maple Ridge for their forward vision in the protection of the natural resources of the community. The establishment of the Environmentally Sensitive Area [ESA] mapping is in line with similar steps taken by other BC communities and the Provincial Government. Most importantly, the ESA Mapping shows support for several principles of the Official Community Plan.
The Environmentally Sensitive Area Mapping and it’s acceptance as baseline information is consistent with Principles 23, 24 and 27 of the Official Community Plan [note Chapter 5] and provides the basis upon which the District of Maple Ridge can move forward and develope the Environmental Management Strategy [EMS]
Principle 23: The community values the protection of environmentally sensitive areas including water ( for its intrinsic value, habitat and aquifer recharge), areas of natural beauty, forests etc.
Principle 24: The community recognizes the environmental contribution made by lands within the ALR and
Principle 27: Overall environmental protection demands a comprehensive, smart growth” approach.
Also in Chapter 5.2 Environmental Management Model.
This section suggests that for proper environmental management it is necessary to firstly identify and then document the boundaries of ecosystems, the watersheds and the environmentally sensitive areas. To Quote the definition of an environmentally sensitive area [from page 3 Chapter 5 of the OCP] Environmentally Sensitive areas are areas where the landscape, wildlife , ecological function or historic value is of importance or is endangered.
Many Districts and cities in BC have actively developed Environmentally Sensitive Area Mapping such as:
* The City of Vernon [Feb 2007]
* District of Highlands [North of Victoria] 2005
* Kamloops [2005]
* District of Saanich
* Township of Langley [1993]
As for the Wet Land Protection in the ESA’s, these should be considered as one of the DMR’s natural capital assets, they absorb storm water, clean it and then allow a natural recharge of the ground water to the surrounding area… at no cost to the tax payer and with little or no maintenance.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/climate/pdfs/climateaction_plan.pdf
Other Initiatives, that suggest the District is on the right track are:
1) The BC Provincial Action Plan in which a net zero deforestation policy and Trees for Tomorrow [a BC provincial program that will see millions of trees planted in backyards, schoolyards, hospital grounds, civic parks, campuses, parking lots and other public spaces around B.C. to foster the many
benefits] to maintain the Urban Forests and realize the full value of the carbon storage potential [Carbon Sequestration]
2) British Columbia established a biodiversity strategy forum in 2004.
Biodiversity BC, a partnership of government agencies and conservation organizations has
just published, “Taking Nature’s Pulse: the status of biodiversity in BC”. The status report will
be followed by public consultation and a five-year action plan.
http://www.biodiversitybc.org/EN/main/21.html
3) UNESCO with its Man and the Biosphere program has developed a global system of 482 biosphere reserves in 102 countries [two are in British Columbia]
The establishment of contemporary baselines for ESA’s is important in that as continued degradation of these natural and unique areas occurs we will soon accept the degraded ESA’s of today and tomorrow as the new baseline [this is called shifting baselines].
The more we know about properties in development areas, the easier it will be to establish the most efficient, responsible and economic benefits for all citizens of Maple Ridge.
Ken Hemminger
What is the value of the Albion Flats and the agricultural land?
Is this where the “BIG BOX” stores should be?
What is the bigger picture? Environmentally and economically.
I hope to explore these questions and find the pros and cons of land use in the Albion Flats
Photo taken Nov 10 2008.
During the last Municipal election, there was a great deal of conversation about a brandable identity which would create opportunties to develope an integrated strategy to attract and enhance business and new residents. Why not “Maple Ridge - the Emerald City” Green and Growing Greener Everyday!
Remember to VOTE on November 15 2008!
Informed voters are the key to community sustainability, so here is a brief of Michael Sather.
Michael Sathers’ background includes a degree in biology and a Master’s degree in psychology. He grew up on a farm and worked as an oilfield and construction worker, teacher, biologist, business owner in wilderness guiding and tours, political assistant and mental health therapist. He is currently the MLA for Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows (a position he will resign from if elected mayor).
Here is what Michael says:
We are living in the age of global warming and are at a turning point in the history of our community. The way we do business in North America will be changing to a new environmentally and economically sustainable model. There will be plenty of opportunities in the new economy and it is up to us whether we get on board or get left behind.
Maple Ridge has fallen seriously behind in business development and the creation of new, good-paying jobs. The vision, leadership and ability to develop new business has been lacking. Nowhere is this more evident than in our dilapidated downtown core.
My number one priority is re-development of our downtown area. We need larger format stores to complement Zellers and London Drugs. My vision also includes a development theme like Newport Village in Port Moody where attractive shops, with condominiums above, will keep more of our tax dollars at home and will invite visitors to shop in Maple Ridge.
An attractive downtown will enable us to densify our town centre. We will not get rapid transit until we show that we are densifying, not sprawling.
While re-development of the downtown core is the first key to bringing new business, the second is protecting the rural character of Maple Ridge. Our rural character and agricultural lands are our “ace in the hole” in successful business marketing. If we lose these we will become just another sprawling suburb that is too far from Vancouver to be of much interest to the new green businesses that are evolving in this century.
Agriculture is a business and should be developed as such, rather than being manipulated as a land bank for urban sprawl.
The relationship between business and the current mayor and municipal hall has not been conducive to development in Maple Ridge. I will establish a productive working relationship with the business community and all citizens.
Everyone will be treated with respect.
Bus service in Maple Ridge needs to be improved, particularly in new growth and rural areas. Quicker bus service to Skytrain in New Westminster is a must. I will advocate strongly for improved bus service.
Homelessness, crime and addiction are disturbing trends in Maple Ridge. In order to combat them I will maintain and increase our outreach, addiction, mental health, community police, RCMP, and supported housing resources.
We are an aging population. As mayor, I will work constructively with our seniors to ensure that their needs are being met in the new Maple Ridge.
If you have any questions for Michael Sather, here is his website http://www.michaelsather.com
AND remember to Vote - because you can!
Peter Tam and the Silver Valley Neighbourhood Association invite you to
a casual reception to meet and greet civic candidates.
7 or 8 candidates are expected to attend. All will have a chance to say
a few words, but mostly casual Q & A.
7:30 pm Thurs Nov 6th
Eagles Hall
23461 Fern Crescent
Maple Ridge
Refreshments will be served.
Bring some cookies or after dinner goodies to share if you would like.
Tell your friends and neighbours!
Thanks, see you there!
Comment on sustainability and the District of Maple Ridge by Peter Tam
“I think most people in the District of Maple Ridge understand the meaning of sustainability. But envisioning it and laying out the steps to achieve that vision has a few holes and missing pieces that needs some innovative patch work”.
Social Sustainability
Everything has a budget increase of about 10% to 15% in 2007 except for Recreation and Culture and Sewer, with protective service in the lead. Its time we think about preventive instead reactive. Through youth development and support group subsidies, neighborhood watch, volunteering, and with public education on social awareness promotions. Some of these fall under BC government services or school boards but we don’t have the luxury of time to do finger pointing; these social aspects have tremendous impact on our ability to grow economically.
Economic Sustainability
Everyone is saying we need more commercial base taxes. However, no one seems to be able to answer the question of how to achieve that. We need a firm commitment to potential investors from the top down, We need to establish the focus whether it is Tourism, Hi Tech., light industrial, etc. These Focuses should be driven by the strength of our community. And we need to identify this strength. Before we let the world know we are ready for business, we need solid strategies, identifying each step that is needed to take us there. And finally, we need to evaluate the way we are currently handling business licensing and bylaws. Yes, we need strict enforcement to keep out degenerates who wants to create more work for the police but we need to work with legitimate sustainable businesses.
Environmental Sustainabilty
I think we are going with the right ideas and in the right direction on environmental sustainability, but its enforcement we needed to beef up. And patch up some of the damages done in the past few years. For Example; the priority should be on the Allouette flooding,
Peter Tam for Council
A Clear Vision for the Future.
www.petertam.ca
November will be a busy month for The District of Maple Ridge and we will be finished with the Canadian Federal Election.
Our local political race and outcome will probably have a higher impact on our daily lives than what happens in Ottawa…. so I welcome all candicates to make material contribtions to this website. This may help council hopefuls and incumbents to reach the public without the clutter of lawn signs and promotional brochures [I like the idea of saving paper and trees] - it is all about sustainability.
