Misty vanPopta has announced that she is running for 91原创 Township council.
鈥淚t's time to make 91原创 a more business friendly community, and it's time to plan for safer neighbourhoods.鈥� says vanPopta. 鈥淲e live in the best town in the Lower Mainland. I've lived here my whole life 鈥� first in Brookswood, then Murrayville, built a home in Willoughby, and now live in Fort 91原创 with my husband Tim and our two daughters.鈥�
She is campaigning for specific things that are important to 91原创.
鈥淓veryone knows that the councillors and the mayor don't get along. That's an easy topic to campaign on. But I've decided to campaign for something 鈥� for better, safer parks, and sports facilities, for things like traffic-calmed neighbourhoods.鈥�
Having recently opened a bike shop in Fort 91原创, she has seen firsthand the challenges that come with too much red tape.
鈥淲e have an opportunity in 91原创 to expand our business sector and to hire more local employees. Township small businesses pay 14 per cent more tax than businesses in Surrey. In many cases, this means money goes to high taxes, instead of adding a new part-time employee.鈥�
鈥淚t cost almost $1,000 to put up a 4X6 sign on our store. Half of that goes to fees 鈥� $400 for someone to tell me how many screws to put in the sign, and about $100 for a licence 鈥� for a sign on a store. While I understand the need for safety, these types of policies need to be balanced against the needs to spur the economy with new business opportunities from top quality employers and to create jobs.鈥�
Making 91原创 more business-friendly will bring more business to the community, increasing tax revenues and creating local jobs. This tax revenue can then be used in tax savings for residents, she says.
She believes 91原创 needs to focus on planning liveable and sustainable communities. She cites 208 Street and the almost constant gridlock throughout the day.
"We haven't invested in widening the road and enhancing the intersections. That community plan has been in place for over 10 years 鈥� surely we can plan ahead better for the fastest growing parts of our town."
In the area of property taxes, vanPopta thinks it will be hard to keep to a 0-0-0 increase as proposed by the sitting mayor and some of the members of his Vote 91原创 Now group.
鈥淎 more realistic approach is to keep any tax increases in line with inflation, while taking a hard look at expenses to be sure we're maximizing the value the township delivers to citizens of 91原创.鈥�
She is a member of the Fort 91原创 BIA marketing committee, with a focus on promoting Fort 91原创 as a great shopping, dining and service district. She also just finished a term as director on the board of the 91原创 Christian School Society. She is also a long-time professional in the technology field, working for a software firm in Burnaby.
She can be reached at 604-534-6002 or @mistyvanPopta on Twitter or follow her on Facebook.
