Andrena Raymond learned about community service from her father, Harry Foreman, an active volunteer in Pitt Meadows, and that has led to her first foray into local politics.
Raymond is one of 10 candidates running for a seat on Pitt Meadows council.
She said her family valued community service, and that came from her dad.
“It gave him joy, and I got involved with him at quite a young age,” she said.
Her first jobs were selling tickets and participating in other fundraisers on behalf of the Knights of Columbus, and these days the soccer mom is more likely to get involved with her child’s team.
There are also local issues that spurred her to enter the political ring.
“My inspiration is my dad, but there are some things that I’m not happy with,” she said.
She describes the North Lougheed corridor as a key business project for the community that is “ready to go,” and she wants to see it proceed.
“I think they should be trying to encourage business,” she said of the existing council.
“They are being too picky.”
She said the project will bring a significant business boost to Pitt Meadows, and help shift some of the tax burden off residential ratepayers.
Going door-to-door in her campaign, Raymond is learning about residents’ concerns, and the SmartCentres development at Harris Road and Lougheed Highway is a frequent topic.
“They don’t understand why it’s not moving ahead,” she said.
On Pitt Meadows doorsteps, Raymond has also been hearing a lot about rising property tax rates.
“They’re really upset about looming tax increases,” she said. “They are tired of it.”
Raymond works for the City of Port Coquitlam as a gardener – a job she has held for 22 years.
She wanted to clarify that although she is a member of CUPE 498, she has not received any financial support from the union for her campaign, which is entirely self-financed.