Name: Sandy Macdougall
Age: (blank)
Occupation: (blank)
Facebook: Sandy Macdougall
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 Maple Ridge councillor?
1. I have made a conscientious effort to keep up with current events before council. I read local news and have made my opinions known on a wide variety of issues through personal meetings and letters to the editor. I have attended council meetings, public hearings, open houses and workshops to get a sense of the current items on council’s agenda. I have obtained and read many key documents pertaining to council business, such as the annual financial statement and the agricultural plan. I also have discussed some issues with council members, the mayor and senior staff.
I have toured major sites being considered for re-zoning.
I have worked with members of the business improvement area to review the sign bylaw. I have also participated in several charitable actions.
Q2. Provide two examples of council’s actions over the past three years and explain why or why not you support them.
2. I approve of council’s actions in acquiring the properties to the east of Haney Place Mall. This could ultimately anchor new commercial development in the downtown area and provide shoppers with greater options, which might help stem the outflow of consumer spending to adjoining municipalities.
The completion of the new fire hall is definitely a feather in council’s cap.
I disapprove of council’s practice of creating a budget surplus, while at the same time increasing property taxes. This practice is abhorrent to those living on fixed incomes. Elderly people, in particular, should not be required to subsidize future generations through this unnecessary burden of taxation.
I strongly disapprove of council’s foot dragging in matters such as the demolition order for Northumberland Court. The entire process was a total disservice to everyone concerned. A new and stronger approach is vitally needed.
Q3. Do you support the 13-per-cent increase (over three years) in councillor’s salaries approved last summer? Why or why not? Explain what you would do if elected.
3. Whether elected or not, I will support any move to roll back council’s overly generous 13-per-cent increase in indemnity. Any future increases should be determined through consultation with taxpayers. A referendum question on any proposed increase could then be put forward at the time of an election without adding undue costs and the future council would be bound by the results.