I am a proud resident of Maple Ridge. It has been my home for nearly fifty years. During this time, I graduated from Garibaldi Secondary School, graduated from UBC and SFU with degrees in geography and a certificate in education, and successfully completed my Building Code 1500 Part 9, and Home Inspection 1, 2, and 3 from BCIT. I have been awarded the Queen Elizabeth the 2nd Platinum Jubilee service award and have used my degrees and certifications to contribute to my community as a teacher, a children’s sports coach, a restaurant owner, a home builder, and as an avid volunteer.

My track record for community service includes volunteering for Guru Nanak Free Kitchen, a non-profit charity providing meals to those experiencing food and housing insecurity, completing the Tour De Cure for BC Cancer Research, working with the Alouette Mens shed, and serving as a past President for the Haney Rotary Club. I believe my skill set and varied experience can contribute positively to Maple Ridge’s growth plans and vision. On a personal level, working as a councillor to achieve the mandates described below would align with my purpose to affect positive change in my home city.

Specifically, my mandate for the election includes:

1. Lobbying the Provincial government to build the East-West Abernathy Connector to expand and connect back to Lougheed
2. Amending ties with BC Housing to tackle the housing insecurity issues in Maple Ridge, including developing affordable housing
3. Promoting Maple Ridge as the site for a potential satellite campus for SFU, BCIT, or Kwantlen College; and
4. Donating my first year’s salary to causes in the community, including Salvation Army, Women’s Shelter, Men’s Shed, Food Bank, and the Rotary Club.

I am a conscientious person who works hard, acts strategically, and pays attention to developing and empowering others. I am ready to give back to my community and effect high-level change.