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MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Showing their true colours
Candidates spar at Richmond News’ event Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
In front of a jam-packed audience at the Richmond Cultural Centre, Mayor Malcolm Brodie stood by his 13-year record at the head chair of Richmond City Council, denouncing challenger Richard Lee’s suggestion that the city can somehow afford to cut taxes while maintaining services. The two squared off during the Richmond News’ public forum Friday evening, the last time all council and mayoral candidates would gather ahead of the Nov. 15 municipal election. “Mr. Lee is in favour of all kinds of projects but at the same time he says he wants to cut taxes. I think those are contrary positions,” said Brodie, who maintains a minority position amongst city council candidates that the city ought to continue raising taxes one per cent each year to fund reserves. Lee has promised fewer taxes by trying to find efficiencies at city hall, stating at times during the campaign that the city overspends. He also hopes to cut bureaucratic red tape for businesses. Lee, of the newly formed Richmond Reform, said Brodie, an independent, has been beholden to developers. “As your mayor I answer to you the people, not developers,” said Lee. Lee called city hall consultation, particularly on the Chinese signs issue, a “sham.” The two oppose one another on a sign bylaw, with Lee stating it may be necessary. Calling Richmond “overdeveloped,” Lee is proposing to increase development amenity charges. Brodie counters, maintaining the city has been well served by the current level of development charges.
Richmond city council and mayoral hopefuls were asked Friday night at a packed cultural centre to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ with a red card or green card to 20 questions pertaining to the running of the city. Photo by Alan Campbell/Richmond News Some audience members called Lee’s noting his six years with Richmond’s campaign “negative.” Community Services Advisory Committee. Former Conservative MP candidate Both men are lawyers, with Lee currently Howard Jampolsky, a practising. clear Brodie supporter, The event hinged on Sometimes I feel more questioned Lee’s vision a list of 20 questions informed than council and whether he’s “fit to posed to the candidates be mayor,” after Brodie ahead of time. Each itself. candidate had an pointed out that Lee has - Michael Wolfe, RITE opportunity to speak never attended a city on the issues followed council meeting. candidate by questions from the Brodie insisted he audience. wasn’t trying to be unfair While Jampolsky to Lee, but said attending singled out Lee, the vast majority of nonmeetings is important for context. incumbent candidates haven’t attended a Lee, however, did sit on city council in council meeting in the past year. In committee Merritt during the 1980s and was a school meetings attended by the Richmond News trustee in Burnaby. He defended himself,
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since January, only Carol Day and Michael Wolfe of RITE Richmond, and independent Alexa Loo have been there to address issues. Wolfe said as much at the meeting, noting in the past decade he’s made 48 presentations on 106 items. “I have been bringing informed input to council for the last decade. Sometimes I feel more informed than council itself. I get this input from the community,” said Wolfe, an advocate of the Garden City Lands, who addressed the need for city-funded community shuttles and a homeless shelter. Wolfe pledged to live homeless in Richmond to bring attention to the plight of what local homeless experts call a hidden community. see ISSUES› page 3
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