For Pitt Meadows council
• Name: Mike Stark.
• Residence: 19871 Wildwood Crescent North (30 years).
• Occupation/education: retired technical manager/executive director.
• Volunteer work: president of Southern Pitt Meadows Residents’ Association; CEED Centre director; Homelessness task force; Alouette River Management Society monitoring; Katzie Slough; Pitt Meadows Day; Village Assist.
• Who do you support for mayor: I support John Becker for mayor as he is the only candidate with any previous council experience.
Question: Please provide an example of what you have done that qualifies you for council?
Answer: I have attended the vast majority of weekly council meetings over the past six years. I have also participated in the annual budget meetings since 2008. My business career provided the opportunity to manage large international construction projects with budgets, human resource and public relations responsibilities.
Q: Who is funding your campaign?
A: My campaign is self-funded.
Q: What makes you stand out from other candidates?
A: As president of SPMRA, I negotiated a partial solution to the noise and drainage issues related to the Golden Ears Bridge. This six-year process included meetings with TransLink, Ministry of Transportation, MLAs, municipal staff and council, culminating with the construction of a new $817,000 sound wall.
Q: How do you see your city developing in the next 10 years?
A: With limited land available for residential construction and regional growth forecasts of an additional 5,000 people by 2042, I foresee greater densification of the town core. Focus on a diversified tax base will see major growth along Airport Way, leading to an overpass at Allen Way.
Q: What will be your top priority if elected to Pitt Meadows council?
A: Getting budget and finances in order without cutting services. Our current budget is scheduled to see a 24 per cent increase in taxes over the next five years. This is not sustainable, nor do I believe is acceptable to the vast majority of taxpayers.