A police officer who spent four years at the helm of the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment will be seeking a seat on Pitt Meadows council.
Bill Dingwall has called the city home for more than two decades and bills himself as a "wise choice and fresh voice for councillor."
"I am extremely proud to live in Pitt Meadows, am looking forward to the next several months to discuss important issues with citizens in our community," Dingwall said."And hopefully if elected, to build on the tremendous legacy left by council and volunteers over the 25 years that my family and I have lived here."
Dingwall grew up in Saskatoon and married his high school sweetheart Erna 37 years ago.
He has enjoyed extensive careers in the public service having served with the RCMP for 35 years in B.C. and Ottawa, the last nine at the executive level in B.C. as a chief superintendent.
Dingwall currently works with the B.C. Sheriff Service as the superintendent in-charge of the Vancouver coastal region but is on a leave of absence during the civic election campaign.
He served Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows as a RCMP constable from 1984-88 and proudly returned to lead the Ridge Meadows detachment from 1998-2002 as its officer-in-charge. During that period, he actively engaged with both councils and many community associations.
Dingwall has also been actively involved in a variety of volunteer and charitable activities over the years including Cops for Cancer, co-chair of Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics supporting those with intellectual disabilities, mission relief renovation work for victims of Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, and participating in the walk for Crossroads Hospice Society.
He was also referee-in-chief for Ridge Meadows Hockey Association, refereed minor, adult and old-timer hockey, was a member of Rotary and when his children were young, he coached hockey and competitive fastball.
Dingwall's priorities include creating a liveable community, a sustainable financial model, public safety and traffic congestion.
In a press release, he elaborated on what each of those priorities entail:
• Liveable Community - This priority emphasizes Pitt Meadows as “the place” to live for young/youth to seniors, services and recreation, citizen engagement and participation, the environment, and about continuing the legacy. Being proud to say you are from “Pitt Meadows”.
• Sustainable Financial Model - An extremely important priority is to have a balanced and diversified tax rate and business/economic development strategy that is realistic, achievable (even as a future vision), and ultimately, makes sense to Pitt Meadows and our citizens. It is about making reasonable, sensible and affordable decisions and spending hard-earned monies wisely in support of achieving our liveable community.
• Public Safety - First responders and public health & safety related agencies play a key role for our community and our citizens. Public safety is about “being and feeling safe”, remaining healthy and enjoying our quality of life.
• Education, Youth and Programming - Our children remain our present, our future. The ultimate testament to success is their desire to remain and raise their families in Pitt Meadows!
• Traffic congestion - Traffic congestion affects everyone, “our appeal and liveability” (time, costs, frustration, our environment, investment). Ongoing strategies and partnerships are critical in finding appropriate and affordable solutions.
To learn more about Bill Dingwall visit his website at billdingwall.ca or follow his campaign on Facebook.