According to the newest city council candidates for the Richmond Community Coalition, it is you, the voter, that will shape the issues they take to Richmond City Hall.
"We want to hear from them and listen to what the issues are as opposed to us telling them what the issues are," noted Dan Baxter, who was introduced as the newest candidate for city council, along with running mate Helen Quan.
The Richmond Community Coalition (RCC), a new political party, announced Baxter and Quan as candidates Monday at Aberdeen Mall. The public affair was in contrast to the more subdued, media-only event held at Minoru Park last month in which candidate chair Sylvia Gwozd introduced incumbent councillors Ken Johnston and Chak Au as RCC candidates for November's municipal election.
Quan, a 21-year resident of Richmond and mother of two, prides herself on her charitable work and community outreach, having served as an executive member of the Richmond Mandarin Lions Club and the Richmond Scouts Group.
Quan said the city needs more "transparency and engagement," when asked what she would like to change.
"City Hall has no problem, but at the last town hall meeting they (participants) want transparency," she said, referring to RCC's public engagement event last month.
Quan said she would have an open-door policy if she's elected.
"I will listen to the people and get their input," said Quan, who speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien, and Cantonese.
On the RCC website Quan is touted as someone who can be a "conduit that brings together the city's diverse cultural groups in a harmonious way."
"Richmond is a diverse community and we need more outreach," said Quan, having been asked what the most important issue is in the city for her.
Baxter echoed many of Quan's desires, stating that he would like to see council members provide the public with their direct email and telephone numbers. He also suggested satellite, neighbourhood council meetings, if feasible.
Baxter, a 34 year-old father of two, was asked what issues he would address individually at City Hall.
"My background — and I think this will flavour how I will view issues coming to council — is as a policy and research analyst for the BC Chamber of Commerce. So I really have that business lens in terms of developing policy that can support the growth of business," replied Baxter.
Baxter is a member of the provincial BC Liberal Party and the federal Conservative Party. He worked as a public policy analyst with the federal Minister of International Trade on Pacific Gateway issues.
He noted the city has nearby assets like Vancouver International Airport and Port Metro Vancouver, in which it needs to work closely with.
Baxter said he's interested in making Richmond a place where business opportunities can support new families living in the city. He cited his devotion as a member of Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church.
RCC has maintained it is a non-partisan party, whose limited goals, to date, include increased public political engagement with the goal of increasing voter turnout in a city that has historically low voter turnout over the past 20 years.
During its short campaign RCC has ensured news releases have been in both English and Mandarin.
"The goal is, really, engagement, and hearing more voices so when it comes to something like the George Massey Tunnel, the community coalition will hopefully come to a common position on that based on what they're hearing from the public. But if not we can then take the information we're hearing and apply our own set of judgements and come up with the best decisions," noted Baxter.
You can meet Baxter and Quan tonight at the RCC town hall meeting tonight at the Richmond Cultural Centre at 7 p.m. The topic is youth engagement.
Support for Brodie within RCC executive
Former BC Liberal MLA and Richmond First city councillor Rob Howard, one of 12 RCC directors, told the Richmond News Monday the RCC will not be tabling a mayoral candidate, citing broad support for Mayor Malcolm Brodie within the board of directors.
"There isn't a burning desire," said Howard.
Howard could not say how many more council candidates RCC will table before the October deadline.
The RCC board of directors include: Christopher Chan, Johnny Cheung, Kenny Chiu, Michael Chiu, Wayne Duzita, Sylvia Gwozd, Julie Halfnights, Matt Pitcairn, Gordon Walker and Dana Westermark.
@WestcoastWood
