The solution to many of the issues facing Richmond is Semple.
Dave Semple.
So says the 63-year-old former general manager of parks and community services for the City of Richmond, who, after retiring this week, is now running as an independent candidate for Richmond City Council.
Semple hopes to go from enacting city policies to creating them.
With youthful exuberance, Semple says, in general, the city is on the right path but needs fine tuning, especially when it comes to communications and fostering and promoting community relations, an emerging theme in the lead up to the Nov. 15 election.
During an interview with the Richmond News Semple broached the subject of wellness, health and social services a number of times. He said as more programming and services are downloaded from higher governments to community groups and municipal government, citizens need to be informed of the services that are out there.
“How we get through the system is a hard hill to climb. I want to simplify that so everyone in our community can get to those things,” he said, noting he partly came to that realization while undergoing care at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre following major back surgery recently.
Semple said he befriended a young Taiwanese teenager whose family was out of the country. Thereafter, he made sure the two spoke every week or so, simply so the young man wouldn’t feel so lonely while receiving care.
“If you don’t have someone who can help you, it can be scary,” he said.
Not lost on Semple is Richmond’s unique position on the cultural landscape and the perception that neighbourhoods are eroding, partly due to the rapid influx of Chinese immigrants. The former Richmond Colt football player recalled a time, as a child living in Richmond, when 1950s neighbourhoods were also adjusting to European immigrants.
He said Richmond found an identity back then and he’s optimistic it will find a new one now.
“Im very optimistic. I like the multicultural approach. I think we’re evolving back, with good neighbourhoods, people caring about each other. It’s an evolution. We have to be patient. We’ve got all the right stuff in the city,” he said.
The father of two adult children, and newly anointed master of a nine-month-old dog named Muffin, said he sees more neighbourly interactions emerging and it’s only a matter of time that people begin to “get it” again.
Semple said his biggest asset will be in providing insight on intergovernmental relations in order to find best practices in formulating city policies.
Yet he maintained it’s community groups that need a bigger role in the city.
“You can always go to a bylaw. That’s the easiest thing to do. But it’s more about communication and working with people,” he said.
For instance, as an example, he noted how he oversaw the creation of the Richmond Arenas Community Association, which allowed stakeholders a better venue to divide arena time and assets. Also, a local garden club, instead of the city, now effectively rules over Paulik Park.
“We mow the lawn here and there but they pretty much do their own thing. It’s great.
“When you give away power and create partnerships with the community you really make things happen.”
Semple mentioned more priorities of his, such as improving coordination between first responders, maintaining a safe community and addressing the city’s homeless population.
As parks manager he said he saw homelessness throughout the city and believes it ought to be a priority given the city’s affluence.
He said protecting agricultural land is a “no brainer” and an issue that must remain on the agenda.
Semple said he would take a pragmatic approach to port development in the region and noted "there cannot be even one loser" when it comes to protecting industry, fish and the environment.
He noted his own children, who are in their thirties, have affordability issues living in Richmond.
He said he wants the city to focus on more integrated housing developments that provide rental options.
Through a four-year term Semple said he would also preach fiscal responsibility.
Semple has formed an informal coalition with independent candidate Alexa Loo as well as incumbent councillor Harold Steves. Loren Slye, chair of the Steveston Historic Society, is managing his campaign and he was endorsed by outgoing councillor Linda Barnes.
“He has many of the same community values that I have. He brings a lot to the table particularly around the community. He knows the process and can step in to the position with less of a learning curve,” said Barnes.
