The Editor,
I’d like to congratulate all of the candidates for council and trustee who submitted their names to run for public office. Democracy is strengthened when more people, of varying backgrounds and viewpoints, run for office. I’d like to thank the Richmond voters for piping up and voting. Voter turnout increased and that was a goal of every candidate in the election. More citizen participation means more people are represented and have a say.
I’d like to congratulate the newly elected or re-elected representatives to city council specifically, as they have some extremely large issues to tackle over the next four years. Housing is number one. Affordable housing units are limited and poverty rates are rising. Young people are moving out of the city at an alarming rate. Families see property values rising, which makes selling their Richmond home and moving away to Langley or Surrey to purchase a similar home for less, extremely attractive.
More and more condos are being built with at least 44 new ones approved by the last council and still to be built. Many of these sit either half-empty or bought by foreign investors.
Last I checked, Richmond is not a vacation property; it’s a vibrant, growing city that is unique — unique for its farmland, unique for its green spaces, and unique for its diversity. It’s a town that I have spent all my life in and that I, like many Richmondites, cherish.
I have hope that this new council will tackle this colossal issue and put the will of the people ahead of the will of developers.
These next four years could be the best four years or the worst four years in Richmond’s history — but, for sure, they will be the most important. Let’s get to work.
Ramesh Ranjan
Richmond
