As part of our election coverage, the Richmond News asked all civic candidates to introduce themselves to you, our readers, by submitting a 170-word bio which included their name, party and occupation. We also asked them to tell us why they were running for mayor/council/trustee and list key issues they would focus on, if elected.
Here’s who is running for mayor of Richmond:
Malcolm Brodie
Party: Independent
Occupation: Mayor
Three key issues you would focus on if elected:
1) Affordable housing – We need to support housing in our community so people of all ages and economic means live here. Our Affordable Housing Strategy adopted 10 years ago and updated this year, supplemented by the Market Rental Housing Policy, allows the city to work with the development industry to create housing opportunities for all.
2)Traffic congestion – Extending alternate forms of transit will assist in encouraging people to get out of their cars, thus reducing congestion and GHGs. The city should supplement alternate forms of travel including bike paths and buses. In consultation with the city, the B.C. government should upgrade and twin the tunnel to reduce congestion on Highway 99.
3)Agricultural land – There is limited high quality agricultural land available in Richmond and throughout B.C. Steps need to be taken for its preservation, such as restricting the proliferation and size of estate homes in order to support agriculture. Local government needs to work with the ALC to protect this vital resource.
Lawrence Chen
Party:Independent
Chen did not respond to the Richmond News’ requests for information.
Donald Flintoff
Party: Independent
Occupation: Engineer (retired)
Why are you running for office:The taxpayers are not being heard by the current council, and I want more accountability at city hall.
Three key issues you would focus on if elected:
1) Protecting the Agricultural Land Reserve by seeking a ministerial order applicable to megahomes for Richmond and implement the B.C. government’s review results.
2)Providing affordable housing and commercial space by allowing the younger citizens to move into home-equity housing rather than renting, and establishing commercial zoning near City Centre for the convenience of those needing services and those employed there.
3)Open and accountable governance that properly informs the public of its activities of this council of the true costs of the Olympic Oval, ROX, its former private operation (VROX Sport Simulation Ltd), and Lulu Island Energy Company. These Richmond-owned companies are all operated by city staff and rely on city taxpayers’ funding to exist. The city has transferred $25 million in our hard assets into Lulu Island Energy for paper shares.
Hong Guo
Party: Independent
Occupation: Lawyer
Why are you running for office:I am running for mayor because I want to build bridges that help to bring city hall closer to our neighbourhoods, and foster better understanding and connection between all of our residents.
Three key issues you would focus on if elected:
1) Affordability is critical to building a city where our children can raise their families. We need to look at all options to increasing supply from streamlining approvals to increasing the level of social and affordable housing. We need to create options that help Richmond families and their children to remain in Richmond.
2)We need to get to work replacing the Massey Tunnel. Richmond has some of the worst rush hour traffic congestion in the region. Richmond needs a mayor who will speak up for the city at regional bodies and build alliances with like-minded communities.
3)The RCMP is not equipped for the type of urban policing required in a diverse city like Richmond. We need to move toward a city police force that reflects the city as a whole.
Roy Sakata
Party: Independent
Occupation: Retired Richmond school principal and B.C. Independent School Inspector’s Office Educational Consultant
Why are you running for office:Richmond media reports and personal discussions with community members show that Richmond citizens want more meaningful involvement in city council decisions.
Three key issues you would focus on if elected:
1) Lack of meaningful process for citizen involvement in city council decisions: My solution: In the first 100 days as mayor, I will work with senior management, staff and a citizens’ advisory committee and conduct comprehensive community forums.
2)Majority decision making at Richmond city council meetings. My solution: Have city council change decision making from a win/lose voting system to a consensus model that considers citizens’ forum views and council members more reflective thoughts.
3) Traffic congestion in Richmond City and in the Massey Tunnel. My solution: Collaborate with provincial and federal governments to increase bus services, enhance the SkyTrain carrying capacity and negotiate a daily, passenger ferry fleet between Steveston and Ladner.
Cliff Wei
Party: Independent
Occupation: Public policy consulting
Why are you running for office:Promptly promising to offer all kinds of welfare will not guarantee people needed level of well-being. Encouraging everyone to work and join efforts together will surely improve our life in a long run. Running for mayor, is to perform this principle, to make sure our public resources are being used fairly and efficiently.
Key issues you would focus on if elected:
Public resource shortages bring stress into policing, traffic, hospital, school and other public services. By over development, life quality drops, and living cost become high.
We will rewind city development strategy to a point that public resources aren’t abused.
Long standing public security issue: RCMP refuses to perform successful program which repelled criminals out of Vancouver. We will set up Richmond Police Department to make it work.
Decision making: We will develop a cell phone app to collect opinions from all voters for ongoing issue. Decisions will be made accordingly.
