proven_results

Port Moody is a few short weeks away from a new Mayor and Council. Every candidate has demonstrated a commitment and passion for their community; and in many cases an extensive involvement with community, volunteering and committee activity. I believe that to effectively represent the citizens of Port Moody as we move into a period of intense change to our city, it is most important to examine a candidate’s record of results.

My decision to become involved with numerous boards and committees has been borne out of a desire to affect change, and achieve results which would benefit my city. My record stands for itself …I have a proven record of leadership, and getting things done.

· As a member of the Port Moody Police Board, I led a visioning process to complete the current strategic plan.

· As a member (and now Vice-President) of the Port Moody Foundation, I was part of the team that completed the current strategic plan.

· As a member of the Port Moody Heritage Society, I was part of the team that completed the current strategic plan.

· As a member of the Port Moody Police Board’s finance committee, I was part of the team that developed the Police Department budget for 2009 and 2010, and I presented that budget to council.

· I was involved in completing the initial framework for the Police Chief Performance Evaluation.

· As a member of the Community Care Committee, I organized and led a team through a complete accessibility audit of all civic buildings. Deficiencies were identified and changes have been made or are in-progress for almost every item on that list.

· I was a committee member on the task force chaired by Councillor Nuttall to investigate bringing a high tech park to Port Moody. This initiative was unfortunately derailed by council. It would have meant jobs and revenue to the City – the things that keep our taxes under control.

· I was a member of the Western Station Committee that brought together homeowners and landowners from Moody Centre. These residents wanted to ensure that the advent of the Evergreen Line would bring economic and accessibility advantage to their neighbourhood. As their spokesperson, I delivered their concerns, desires and vision for the future of their community to council.

· As a member of the Economic Development Committee, I spearheaded the initiative to bring back the ‘Business Roundtable’ sessions after having been abandoned earlier. These sessions provide a forum for local business owners to express their concerns, vision and ideas to mayor, council and city staff.

And so I encourage you to ask of your candidates not only what they have participated in, but what they have achieved in the way of solid results. Port Moody will need results-oriented activity to ensure our successful management of the Evergreen Line development, so that our community will be enhanced by rapid transit, not negatively impacted.

And one further note … as you know, I have not asked for, or received an endorsement by any developer, union or special interest group. I believe to do so presents, at the very least, the perception of a conflict of interest. Would you be comfortable with your mayor voting on issues, expenditures, budgetary items that impact groups who have endorsed the Mayor’s campaign?

Are you satisfied with the results achieved by your city council in the past three years? If not, I suggest our city needs a fresh voice and a new style of leadership … one with a proven record of getting things done. That is what I bring to the table … I get things done, and I get results.

I respectfully ask for your vote ... Robert Simons for Mayor of Port Moody