Port Moody Council candidate Richard Biedka tells Patrick McCarthy (TCCTV) why he is running. Richard grew up in the TriCities and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology from UBC. He works in the commercial seafood industry and has experience on senior management teams, budgeting, labour relations, and marketing. Richard decided to run in a by-election five years ago when his property tax rose by 500% and again in the election. Both campaigns were self-funded. He has prepared for this election by focusing on Finance Committee Meetings. He also volunteers with local community groups and speaks at public input meetings. COVID showed that Port Moody can run on a ‘life-support’ budget. Richard feels the tax burden could be reduced by focusing spending on core City services. Taxes should remain stable despite development as increased tax revenue pays for increased services needed. However additional recreation and amenities increase costs, so other revenue sources are needed. The City must be more efficient to pay down the debt and provide ‘soft’ services for homeless people and affordable housing. Increasing affordability means reducing spending and creating revenue to relieve taxation and increase income. Then different housing options must be created. A trade-off with developers over density can be used to create affordable housing, including below-market rentals. Richard feels the community needs to decide what/where to develop via the Official Community Plan. He is not opposed to the City owning and managing housing. Port Moody is unique with respect to fish habitat. Richard was opposed to recent changes to the environmentally sensitive areas which increases buffers from waterways onto private properties. Richard feels a reasonable transition from a resource-based economy is needed. Port Moody could get into hydrogen-processing using the hydrothermal plant and natural gas pipelines to do carbon-fixing as a way to increase revenues. It’s important to understand Provincial and Municipal responsibilities with respect to climate resilience such as flooding or fire. Action plans are needed. Funding is needed to run a successful campaign. Richard feels a level playing field was set up with legal limits candidates are allowed to accept. Richard has no hidden agenda and does not represent any special interest group. He has senior management experience and can work as a team.