For Maple Ridge council
• Name: Grover Telford.
• Residence: 11291 – 236th St., Maple Ridge.
• Occupation/education: Businessman; some university.
• Volunteer work: board of directors Seniors Society, SPAC recreation commission.
• Who do you support for mayor: Graham Mowatt.
Question: Please provide an example of what you have done that qualifies you for council.
Answer: Volunteer work with the organization Maple Ridge Coalition of Concerned Citizens, which dealt with the problems surrounding Northumberland Court, and with the concerned citizens group Perturbed Over Paid Parking at Ridge Meadows Hospital. I have compiled a petition to bring before council and have done extensive research on the latter topic. I have raised my family in Maple Ridge and have involved myself with youth mentoring, coaching soccer and football.
Q: Who is funding your campaign?
A: Myself plus small donations from friends
Q: What makes you stand out from other candidates?
A: My experience as a business owner has afforded me with excellent communication skills and management abilities. Since most of my work has been in Maple Ridge daily, I am familiar with the issues that most concern local residents.
Q: How do you see the City of Maple Ridge developing in the next 10 years?
A: Maple Ridge is now a city. With that should come more retail shopping and commercial/industrial development to broaden our tax base and produce local jobs. With the growing number of seniors, more seniors housing needs to be available in the downtown core, where they can access shopping and bus service.
Q: What will be your top priority if elected to Maple Ridge council?
A: Improve transit, deal with the provincial government concerning homelessness and long term drug addiction treatment facilities. Broaden our tax base by encouraging business and industry to locate in Maple Ridge. Also, I would like to see a program where local citizens assist the RCMP in patrolling the streets allowing the police to deal with more serious issues.