Name: Gay Conn
Age: 59
Occupation: senior program coordinator, North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association
Website: www.gayconn.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 Pitt Meadows councillor?
1. As a 27-year-resident of Pitt Meadows, I have immersed myself in my community, committing to contribute wherever possible. I always advocate for youth and have been the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Youth Centre Society treasurer for eight years. In October, I was awarded an “UROC” award in recognition of tremendous contribution to the lives of children and youth in our community. Haney Rotary also honored me with a Paul Harris Fellow Award for my many hours of volunteering. My current role with the non-profit North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association, coupled with working for Vancouver school board and Hammond Cedar has provided me experience in the areas of business and budget planning, labour relations, and communications.
Q2. Provide two examples of council’s actions over the past three years and explain why or why not you support them.
2. I will be diligent in advocating for responsibly increasing the commercial/business activities reflective of the vision and values of Pitt Meadows citizens. I believe that strong relationships must be maintained with both our provincial and federal partners to ensure that our fair share of funding from each level is achieved and enhanced. Continual exploration of the issues that are important to the citizens of my community and taking every opportunity to educate myself on them will be a priority for me throughout the term on council, if elected.
Q3. What is your position on the construction of the North Lougheed Connector and what kind of development should it serve?
3. I have read the North Lougheed Land Use Study and understand that of the three identified concepts, respondents at a community open house expressed a preference for Concept A. This concept retains the most agricultural land. The financial evaluation concluded that only Concept C could be expected to generate enough revenue to pay for off-site improvements, including but not limited to signalized intersections.
To meet the needs and desires of the community, achieve the necessary transportation corridor, and to have the ability to meet financial requirements, a combination of concepts A and C should be examined.