For Maple Ridge council
• Name: Morgan Jensen.
• Residence: 11641 Laity Street, Maple Ridge.
• Occupation/education: home improvement business owner; two years of university, no degree; graduate BCIT – B.C. Building Code and Home Inspection courses.
• Volunteer work: Friends in Need Food Bank; Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association; Social Planning Advisory Committee; District Parent Advisory Committee; Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre; Women’s Centre-Pitt Meadows; Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society; Christmas Haven Society; Families of the Missing Women Society.
• Who do you support for mayor: Ernie Daykin.
Question: Please provide an example of what you have done that qualifies you for council.
Answer: I have held many management positions. My style was always the same: lead by example. I only know how to work in a collaborative way. I have worked diligently to engage the voters in a variety of ways, including my votemapleridge.org initiative.
Q: Who is funding your campaign?
A: Donations from family and friends, nothing from any businesses, group or formal organizations. To date, I have paid the majority of my own expenses.
Q: What makes you stand out from other candidates?
A: I have a mix of skills, personality and experience that I believe will fit well on council. The common traits that will help make up a powerful council team, though, will include the ability to work collaboratively, to be respectful of each other.
Q: How do you see the City of Maple Ridge developing in the next 10 years?
A: Growth is inevitable – new residents, new business, new neighbourhoods and new challenges. There is no doubt in my mind that this city is going to surpass 100,000 by 2024. My vision of Maple Ridge includes exciting changes to the downtown core, expanded community use facilities in the Albion flats area, one or two post secondary facilities, and a burgeoning business and industrial capacity that has provided both jobs and added revenue.
Q: What will be your top priority if elected to Maple Ridge council?
A: To engage the residents of Maple Ridge and involve them in everything that happens. Every citizen has a say. But in order to be heard, they must first know what is happening, both inside and outside city hall. The seven elected people who sit in those chambers must all be open to that connection. Every issue that comes up affects each and every resident and so they must be involved and we must welcome that.