Name: Cheryl Ashlie
Age: 52
Occupation: family business owner, university student.
Website: cherylashlie.com
Q1. What have you personally achieved, or what initiative have you personally led in recent years that qualifies you to be elected or re-elected as a Maple Ridge councillor?
1. Having been involved in politics for 12 years, the past three on council, I have achieved an extensive portfolio of governance work supporting our community. I have exhibited hard work, integrity and leadership within all aspects of my duties. A snapshot of some of my achievements that showcase these qualities: successfully gained a commitment from council to work to secure the Albion ferry dock site for future community use; initiated joint submission by community environmental organizations and the municipality to the province’s Water Act modernization process; also encouraged numerous policy and bylaw discussions, both locally and provincially – transferable business license, metal theft, Silver Valley traffic/pedestrian safety, harm reduction, health, and seniors’ issues.
Q2. Provide two examples of council’s actions over the past three years and explain why or why not you support them.
2. I supported the escalation of strategies to support the town centre plan to strengthen our economic plan and resiliency of the core. These include, but are not limited to: town investment incentive program; escalation of legal action to dismantle Northumberland Court, and support of the new owner to expedite his re-development application; purchase of derelict properties between 226th and 227th in the town core; 224th Street upgrades and safety improvements; and Memorial Peace Park upgrades.
I supported the submission of the Albion flats concept plan to the Agriculture Land Commission for comment, inclusive of economic activities identified by citizens – business nodes, retail, recreational, agri-industrial and light industrial.
Q3. Do you support the 13-per-cent increase (over three years) in councillor’s salaries approved last summer? Why or why not? Explain what you would do if elected.
3. I am on council and I voted against the increase. I also arranged with the head of finance, if re-elected, to not receive the raise for all of the next term. I feel the present process is flawed and creates the potential for indefensible, continuous increases. However, all of council agreed to a resolution to review the policy in the first year of the next term. Please keep in mind the practice of having the outgoing council set the stipend for the incoming one is something I agree with. However, the process to which the stipend is determined must be overhauled both locally and provincially.