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.
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.
Hosta Royal Standard - Photo by Ken Hemminger
The month of May is a month of energy unfolding, with new growth…new garden plans and new plants.
The Hosta family is a diverse plant group of herbaceous perennials and for those gardeners in the Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows area who would like to include hostas in this year’s garden, come to to the Garden/Perennial Plant Sale at 12355 Skillen St., Maple Ridge on June 21st & June 28th, 2008 [8am to 1:00PM]
Hosta Wide Brim - Photo by Ken Hemminger
The importance of the next Major and Council for Maple Ridge cannot be understated as our community grows, in numbers and in needs and expectations. Much talk, and a lot of postioning is already underway in Maple Ridge, with different potential candidates jockeying for the major’s spot and those of the vacating councillors. (Al Hogarth and Ken Stewart have stated they will not run for another term).
So, what would I do if I wanted to win a prized position in the Maple Ridge Municipal Government and what would my platform be?
As sustainabilty is a big catch word these days, I would take a close look at the current balance between the economic, social, and environmental interests of our community; I’d consider smart, long-term alternatives that strike a sensible balance between the three things mentioned above.
As a tax payer in Maple Ridge over the last 42 years, it’s pretty obvious that a sustainable balance has never been attained by any previous council. Voters should be asking themselves why this balance has never been achieved, and what this failure costs the community down the road.
Many voters currently feel that the District office are employees of the “developers”, and this public feeling has reduced the trust of the citizens. If openness can be established, and everybody can see what’s going on behind the scenes, then one would like to think that many of the ‘problem spots’ would be eliminated. Consequently, the District would follow the guidelines established in the Official Community Plan, a document that outlines sustainable and long term development.
As we move forward to the big day I will be adding my 2 cents worth and remember your property taxes are due July 2, 2008.
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 June 21 & 28, 2008 from 8-1:00 PM. Prices start at $5 for mature 1 gallon plants.
Location: 12355 Skillen St., Maple Ridge.
Hosta Gold Standard
Hosta La Vista
Another tree planting event…
….this time in Maple Ridge Park a total of 42 evergreen trees including Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir. The trees were planted along the banks of the South Alouette River and was part of the many events of the Silver Valley Spring Festival 2008.
Between 500-600 people attended this event which included a fish release coordinated by the Alouette River Management Society [ARMS] along with a Katzie blessing by Willie Pirie.
The spring floral arrangement contest was enjoyed by all.
The 2009 Festival is now being planned
We thank the many volunteers and the support from the District of Maple Ridge
February 7th, 2008
On Thursday, the local “Maple Meadows Mommy Meetup” group participated in the first “Little Kid’s Tree Planting Day”. One tree hugger enthusiast, seven moms and fourteen children between the ages of 2 and 8 gathered for this fun and awareness-raising event. In total, 32 trees were planted at Crosses Cabin Park in the Alouette River watershed. The children (and adults for that matter) had a blast throwing snowballs, digging in the dirt, enjoying some fresh air, all the while learning a bit about nature and the importance of trees and actually doing something to help improve our environment.
Fishery failure declared for West Coast salmon fishery. A couple of weeks back, the United States Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez, declared the West Coast salmon fishery ...
The CBC is Going Green. The CBC has a section of its website devoted to people and technologies that are dedicated to ‘going green’. There ...
Interview with Richard Balfour, strategic planner and architect. The Tyee has a good little piece that involves Richard Balfour, a strategic planner and advocate for smart, localized growth. ...
