Patrick McCarthy (TCCTV) speaks with Steve Darling, incumbent for Port Coquitlam City Council. Steve was a news anchor and radio personality for thirty years, where he enjoyed meeting celebrities. He says there was a big outpouring of support from his fans when he got ‘let go’ from his job on the morning news. He now works for a business news media outlet. Steve says he covered municipal politics in his previous job so was comfortable as a first-time Councillor. He also likes to research topics to prepare for meetings. COVID was unexpected, but Steve was able to work from home and loved the challenge of working and holding Council meetings via Zoom. He feels the City stepped up to help people in the community and to make it easy for businesses and City staff to operate. Steve credits Mayor West with bringing alcohol into public parks despite concerns from School District 43. This was a ‘super-successful’ program making it easy for people to gather in parks, drink and then go their separate ways. Steve says it was something that needed to happen. Steve says he’s had a career where he was able to do many cool things. He says being a City Councillor is a big change from being a journalist and he had to be reminded to go to the front of the room during events. Money-grubbing landlords who steal stuff and kick people out were stopped in Port Coquitlam by a quickly-implemented renoviction bylaw. Steve says housing affordability is largely out of Council’s control, but the City can provide the right type of housing. The City has approved 500 homes and has a bylaw allowing developers to develop family-friendly units, carriage homes, and townhouses. Steve says community adapts and changes. Some long-time families leave, and new families arrive. Steve waves to people he doesn’t know because they are part of the community. Public safety including speeding remains a concern on many streets. He feels Prairie Ave has been improved, and the roundabouts have slowed people down. Steve says new developments should include childcare. If elected, Steve will bring more sports events to Port Coquitlam. He says more things are coming with respect to downtown and sports development.