Coquitlam mayoral candidates discuss Maillardville’s heritage

History, transparency and fiscal responsibility were among the topics at an all-candidates meeting Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Laval Square. Mayoral candidates Craig Hodge, Madhavee Inamdar and Trish Mandewo were each asked about preserving Maillardville’s heritage. Hodge said Coquitlam exists because of Maillardville and argued that growth must be balanced with cultural preservation. He said French should be part of everyday life in Maillardville, including commercial and retail activity and educational institutions. He also suggested the city could support a walkable neighbourhood and cultural hub around Adair Avenue.

Inamdar said Maillardville needs a distinct vision and should not be planned like Burke Mountain or Burquitlam. She cautioned against a plan “pushed by the developers.” Mandewo said the question itself showed that the city was failing to protect the neighbourhood’s heritage. She said the next council should work with a roundtable to develop a strategy for Maillardville. In four years, she said, residents should be celebrating what has been accomplished rather than asking the same question again.

On fiscal responsibility, Mandewo said the city must balance projects for the present with those for the future. As mayor, she said, she would make sure council asks the right questions and avoids being overzealous. Approving too many initiatives would make a tax increase inevitable, she said. She named fiscal responsibility as her top priority and promised to control spending to control taxes and keep them low.

To improve transparency at city hall, Inamdar proposed an online city dashboard listing every project and programme, with costs, timelines and updates. She said she would create it within her first 100 to 200 days if elected mayor. Hodge said proposals should account for projected capital and operating costs as well as replacement costs. If something is expected to be in place for 20 years, he said, the city needs to know what it will cost to replace it after 20 years.

Inamdar said public officials need “integrity and accountability” and pledged not to accept a single penny in campaign contributions from developers. Describing herself as a change candidate, she said young residents need housing choices and seniors need options of their own.

Mandewo said that during her eight years on council, the mayor never called to try to persuade her to vote a certain way. If elected mayor, she said, she would ensure there was no lobbying behind the scenes and that every councillor was free to disagree. “The chair of the board creates that culture,” she said. Mandewo cited her science background and service as president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities, saying she had the critical thinking skills and governance experience to be mayor.

Hodge said one of the best qualities of Coquitlam council was the independence of elected officials. Coquitlam has no parties or slates, he said, and differences of opinion help produce better decisions. In his closing statement, Hodge pointed to his years on council and as a Coquitlam resident. As the city changes, he said, the mayor must manage that change by keeping Coquitlam affordable, protecting quality of life and protecting Maillardville’s French heritage.

Mayor Richard Stewart is stepping down at the end of this term. The election is scheduled for Oct. 17.