Pitt Meadows city council candidates outline their backgrounds and priorities

Pitt Meadows’ municipal election will be held Oct. 17. Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News asked each candidate to provide a basic profile for readers. Six city council seats are being contested by 11 candidates.

**Michael Babor** is running as an independent. The 52-year-old is a professional musician, has worked in film and owned a small business, and spent 28 years in grocery retail management. He has lived in Pitt Meadows and the Lower Mainland for 18 years and lives in the Hoffman Way area. Babor said residents deserve a councillor who listens. He is running to protect farmland and property rights, address airport noise, control spending and provide Pitt Meadows with full-time, common-sense representation. Contact: mikeybabor@gmail.com or Facebook account Michael Edward Babor Facebook.

**Don Bell** is an independent candidate, age 45, and an instructor at BCIT. He has lived north of Old Dewdney all his life. His priorities are keeping Pitt Meadows affordable; protecting local farmland and active green spaces from urban sprawl while supporting local farmers; and making city hall open through transparency, accessibility and council meetings open to residents. Contact: donbellforpittmeadows@gmail.com or donbellforpittmeadows.ca.

**Owen Coomer** is an independent candidate, age 43, and operations manager for the Barn Country Bar and Maverick’s Social Room. He has lived in Pitt Meadows for six years and lives in Highland Park. Coomer said family prompted him to run: Pitt Meadows is his home, and he wants to make a positive difference in the community. He described himself as honest, hard-working, dedicated and passionate, and said he would use common sense to make decisions in residents’ best interests. Contact: owen@maverickssocialroom.com or www.facebook.com/owen.coomer/.

**Tracy Elke** is an independent incumbent. She has served five consecutive terms as a Pitt Meadows councillor since 2008 and works for Doctors of BC. She has lived in the community for 26 years and lives in the Osprey Village area. Elke said her 18 years on council have given her knowledge and experience. She said much was achieved this term and she wants to continue advancing Pitt Meadows’ priorities with a collaborative council. Contact: Tracyelke.pittmeadows@gmail.com.

**Alison Evans** is an independent incumbent who has served on council since 2022. She worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for 20 years and is 45. She has lived in the community for 18 years and lives near Davey Jones elementary. Evans said she was elected in 2022 on public safety, livability and economic development, and has helped deliver 24-hour career fire service, active transportation upgrades and tourism initiatives. She is running because progress has been made in those areas and she wants to keep Pitt Meadows moving forward. Contact: info@alisonevans.net, instagram.com/Cllr_AlisonEvans or alisonevans.net.

**Mike Hayes** is an independent incumbent who has served two previous terms on council. The 69-year-old is a software programmer analyst and operations supervisor. He has lived in Pitt Meadows for 50 years and lives in Mid Meadows. Hayes said that, after nearly 50 years in the community and eight years on council, he remains committed to preserving what makes it special: responsible taxation, stronger public safety, economic growth, improved transportation, and investment in infrastructure and flood protection. Contact: Facebook page Re-electMikeHayes or 2026mikehayes@gmail.com.

**Arian Jaschke** is an independent candidate, age 47, and a photographer. She has lived in Pitt Meadows for 21 years and is a resident of Osprey Village. Jaschke said she has called the community home for more than 20 years, raising her family, building her business, volunteering and making connections. She said she has invested deeply in the community and understands what needs to change and what should stay the same. Contact: arianeforpittmeadows@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/ ArianeJaschkeforPittMeadows.

**Mike Manion** is an independent incumbent, age 73, and an agricultural consultant. He has lived in the community for 20 years and lives in North Bonson. Manion said he is running for re-election to protect farmland, strengthen infrastructure, support public safety and keep taxes affordable. As a longtime resident and experienced councillor, he said he will continue working with residents to build a resilient, vibrant and sustainable Pitt Meadows. Contact: mfmanion2022@gmail.com or mikemanion@shaw.ca.

**Bob Meachen** is a two-term independent incumbent. He had a 40-year career as a business manager in the energy sector. He has lived in Pitt Meadows for 13 years and lives in South Bonson. Meachen said he wants to continue the vital work of the past eight years and maintain quality of life in what he called the No. 1 small community in Canada. He said experience and a proven commitment to the role are essential for good governance. Contact: bobmeachen2026@telus.net; 604-457-0500.

**Julia Perrie** is running for council as an independent. She is a realtor and has lived in Pitt Meadows for more than 37 years. She did not answer the questionnaire.

**Reet Singh** is an independent candidate, age 22, and a student. Singh has lived in Pitt Meadows for seven years and lives in Central Pitt Meadows. Singh said young people are often underrepresented in politics, even though city plans, especially over the long term, significantly affect them. Singh hopes to bring a fresh perspective to council and help build a better Pitt Meadows.