Richmond residents feel disenfranchised and it’s time for someone, who isn’t “bored,” to lead the city with bold, new ideas, says lawyer Richard Lee, who has officially thrown his hat into the mayoral race once again.
“People who want their voices heard are ignored under the leadership of this mayor,” said Lee, referring to incumbent mayoral candidate Malcolm Brodie, who has led Richmond since 2001.
Lee challenged Brodie in 2011 and garnered about one-third of the popular vote, which included more votes than any other Brodie challenger over five elections.
He will run on a new slate, known as Richmond Reform, along with one councillor candidate, Sunny Ho, and one school trustee candidate, Kenneth Ho.
Before moving to Richmond in 2006 Lee was a school board trustee in Burnaby and city councillor in Merritt. He has volunteered with a number of community groups in Richmond and recently stepped down as a member of the City Centre Community Association to challenge Brodie.
In an interview with the Richmond News Wednesday, Lee, citing several issues, said he couldn’t stand by and see Brodie go unchallenged for the mayor’s chair.
Lee said he took pause when Brodie said at his candidacy announcement in September that he would not be presenting any “bold” new ideas over the next term.
“That’s the voice and words of a person getting a little bored,” said Lee.
“Unlike Mr.Brodie, you can expect me to come up with some bold directions,” he added.
The 65-year-old said his top priority, just above the environment, at Richmond City Hall would be solving the city’s transportation problems.
“I agree Canada Line has been a great thing for Richmond but we need the accompanying connecting bus system. So traffic, that’s my top priority,” said Lee, who added the issue would be his biggest fight at the Metro Vancouver level.
“Of course, we must rely on expertise and technical knowledge of staff members. I won’t walk in as mayor and tell them how to do traffic but you have to show leadership,” said Lee, who said rapid growth in the City Centre has been poorly planned.
“I will lead in championing growth that is well-planned,” said Lee.
He noted he wouldn’t have endorsed the criteria of a planned “iconic bridge” at the George Massey Tunnel without first getting assurances traffic congestion would be dealt with elsewhere along the highway.
Citizen engagement is also an issue Lee will tackle.
Since last election, Lee, citing several examples, said city staff and council have continued to ignore citizen concerns: the anti Chinese-only signs petition was prematurely dismissed and led to no actions; off-leash dog parks have been miscommunicated; the Onni rezoning application of Steveston’s Imperial Landing lacked adequate public consultation; and a group of citizens battling the province at BC Supreme Court — for failing to properly consult the public over a planned jet fuel facility on the Fraser River — has not been supported.
On the latter, he said Brodie (a lawyer himself) not taking a principled legal stand on the jet fuel facility with VAPOR is another example of Brodie’s lack of leadership.
“He said you don’t fight principles in court. He said you only fight when you have assurances when you go to court that you will win. I beg to differ. Fighting for change as a private citizen is different than fighting for (a city). If I may be so bold, you do have to fight principles in court! We’re talking about the well being of the environment,” said Lee, excitedly.
He said, speaking as a lawyer, the “price is too high” not to fight the airline consortium (VAFFC) and province on the facility that has been given the green light from the province.
On taxes, Lee said he “can’t promise what he can’t deliver” and thus made no promises to lower taxes.
However, he said finding more efficiencies at city hall would be a “high priority” in order to lower taxes. He said he would accomplish this by having senior city management frequently rank the priorities of their work.
Lee said he wouldn’t rule out eliminating an annual one per cent tax hike to the city’s reserves, something Brodie has done.
“If times are hard to the extent you should make the exception, then you should make the exception.
“I believe, in my four years, taxes will be lower than if this mayor stays in for another four,” said Lee.
He also said he will focus on improving housing affordability and social programs by increasing their funding with gaming revenue, an issue he and Brodie see eye-to-eye on.
Lee believes a mayor should give “straight answers” and not hand out blanket statements.
For instance, while Brodie said he was “proud of Richmond’s diversity,” Lee rebutted:
“Is he going to be any less proud of a city that’s less diverse? Politicians who say things like that during election time, maybe we should question them. …It’s such an empty thing, without really offending anyone and hoping people don’t listen carefully.”
The criminal and estate lawyer, who once studied French in Quebec during the 1980s, said he will look at this year’s campaign in an “idealistic” way as it relates to the large sum of money Brodie has saved from his 2011 campaign ($164,000).
“I’m an idealistic person. I feel I have ideas on my side that he doesn’t have. I feel people have had enough and want change. I’m idealistic. I don’t care if he has $300,000 in his coffers, I’m here to win and 100 per cent confident,” said Lee.
“I’m still the underdog, I recognize that. I’m the dark horse.”
