Val Van den Broek

Running for mayor in the City of 91Ô­´´

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Federal public servant with the RCMP, 45

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• Have you held office in past? If so, please specify: Currently on 91Ô­´´ City council

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Candidate provided bio:

I’m honoured by the support from my husband Rob, 91Ô­´´ City Mayor Ted Schaffer, former 91Ô­´´ City Councillor Terry Smith, and retired RCMP Insp. Richard Konarski.

I’ve worked in government approximately 20 years: 91Ô­´´ City councillor, federal public servant (RCMP & Corrections), 91Ô­´´ City RCMP community police office coordinator, 91Ô­´´ RCMP auxiliary constable volunteer – giving me first-hand community knowledge.

My business background, experience, and leadership skills will provide a fresh voice to local and regional issues: Revitalize using Smart Growth/CPTED, green spaces and community events; open houses with residents and staff for active communication; diverse housing so everyone can grow roots; augment integrated case management team + advocate for more health services; rapid transit + more buses and ridesharing services; fiscal responsibility; support seniors’, youth, art & sports programs.

I value the quality of life for our community and endeavour to continue the progress we’ve made.

Thanks for your support. Let’s move forward.

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Website:

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Facebook:

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Other internet/social media platforms where voters can learn about you: Twitter = @Val4citymayor

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Phone: 604-533-8161

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Email: val4citymayor@gmail.com

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• Who is your favourite superhero, and why? Wonder Woman…she’s a strong, independent, intelligent woman who gets the job done.

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There are three candidates running for the City of 91Ô­´´â€™s mayor’s chair. The following are questions asked of each candidate hopeful. They were directed to provide a minimum of a Yes, No, or Don’t Know answer, and given an option to expand on one answer in print (to a maximum of 100 words per question). They could expand on all questions online, if they wished to do so. The following are their replies.

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Questions and Answers:

1. What neighbourhood of 91Ô­´´ do you live in?

Answer: Blacklock

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2. How many years have you lived in 91Ô­´´?

Answer: 18+

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3. How many 91Ô­´´ City council meetings have you attended in the past year?

Answer: All, because I’m on City council

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4: Should the City be directly funding social housing to reduce homelessness?

Answer: No – We can partner with organizations and other levels of Government to possibly provide land, buildings, or services etc…but the Provincial level of government should be providing this.

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5. Do you support elevated rail over light rapid transit from Surrey to 91Ô­´´?

Answer: Yes - I support an increase in any transit or ride sharing options. I would like to see elevated which carries more people in a shorter amount of time, without obstructing traffic flow. We’ve been warned about LTR by other major cities in North America and we should listen.

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6. Should the City’s industrial area be phased out in favour of residential and commercial development?

Answer: No – We need a mixture of all land uses. Industrial areas create jobs. They also provide for people to learn trades and do apprenticeships.

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7. Would you vote to raise taxes to hire more police?

Answer: Yes – if reports or studies indicate that we need to increase our policing services within the City.

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8. Do you agree with the growth estimates for 91Ô­´´ City in its new Nexus of Community strategic plan?

Answer: Yes – Extensive research has been done on this subject. We’re bound to increase as the cost of living rises in Vancouver and more people move here for more affordable options.

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9. Should 91Ô­´´ have its own municipal police force, replacing the RCMP?

Answer: No – There’s no financial benefit switching to a Municipal Police Force. The initial cost, plus operational expenses including medical, dental, & pensions would be astronomical.

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10. Should the City fund an arts centre?

Answer: It would be great to have a centre where residents can meet to showcase their art, whether it be art hanging on a wall, a play on a stage or a musical production.

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11. Does 91Ô­´´ City need an indoor swimming pool?

Answer: Yes – We need to provide a range of health facilities for all ages. An indoor pool would provide healthy family fun, socialization, after school activities & low impact exercise in a safe environment all year round.

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12. Should 91Ô­´´ City lobby for its own urgent care centre?

Answer: Yes – The centre would improve quality of care and also provide more care to more people. There are one in six people in B.C. who don’t have a family doctor. It would alleviate emergency room wait times and could cater to 1,300 patients a week. It could also have outreach workers connecting nurses to community locations such as senior centres or shelters.

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13. Do you think residential property taxes are too high?

Answer: No - We have the third lowest taxes in the region. City staff work very hard to plan the budget in an effective and efficient manner.

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14. Should the City amalgamate with the Township?

Answer: No – We are two very different places with two very different visions.

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15. Should the municipality offer tax breaks, incentives, or rebates to companies looking to set up shop here?

Answer: Yes – We need to attract the right kind of businesses to make this community grow. Sometimes that requires a mutually beneficial plan.

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16. Is 91Ô­´´ City being pushed to grow too fast?

Answer: No – Previous council planned for future growth and current council is upholding that vision. We need to continue planning to accommodate the current growth rate.

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17. Should 91Ô­´´ City take more direct action to combat the opioid crisis locally?

Answer: Yes – Using newly available federal government grant monies, we can strategize with health care workers on how to combat this crisis.

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18. Should the City encourage the creation of more rental and low-income housing?

Answer: Yes – The majority of our current rental and low-income housing is at the stage of redevelopment. We need to encourage rebuilding with more living units at an affordable price without displacement.

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19. Should the City taxes be cut by cutting services?

Answer: No – City staff has already cut services over the past five years to keep taxes lower.

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20. Should there be a limit to the number of consecutive terms a member of council can serve?

Answer: No – Voters decide if they don’t want someone in office. The public can vote them out if they’re not happy.