For Maple Ridge council
• Name: Don Mitchell.
• Residence: 22872 Rogers Ave.
• Occupation/education: retired western regional manager for a national confectionery company.
• Volunteer work: chair of the Ridge Meadows Parks and Leisure Services Commission; president Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball Association and 18 years as a coach; past president Maple Ridge soccer association, 11 years as coach; involved in Albion sport park development.
• Who do you support for mayor: n/a
Question: Please provide an example of what you have done that qualifies you for council.
Answer: I have managed the business of a large national company in western Canada, responsible for the employees, contract staff, sales and marketing programs, within budgets and meeting the measured objectives.
Q: Who is funding your campaign?
A: I am funding my own campaign.
Q: What makes you stand out from other candidates?
A: I have spent the last 3.5 years attending virtually all Monday morning workshops, Monday afternoon committee meetings and council meetings. The Monday meetings are where the work is done and I believe I have done the due diligence to be ready to take on the job as councillor.
Q: How do you see the City of Maple Ridge developing in the next 10 years?
A: With the amount of business/industrial land we have available, the transportation links now in place, we have the opportunity to expand our business base and employment base. Our population will continue to grow due to the availability of relatively low priced land to build on.
Q: What will be your top priority if elected to Maple Ridge council?
A: To bring in more business property tax to reduce our dependence on residential property tax. Our business property tax base is severely underdeveloped vs. the provincial average. We need to aggressively pursue business to come and build in Maple Ridge.