Patrick McCarthy (TCCTV) talks to Stirling Ward with respect to what elections are all about. Stirling is an engaged Port Moody citizen who is involved with City-led initiatives, including the Evergreen Liaison Committee and installing artwork at the skytrain stations. He previously ran for Port Moody City Council. Stirling talks about defining community, governance, and leadership.

Community is a primary element of our humanity and when people come together the tribe is successful. One person’s strength may cover for another person’s weakness. Leadership comes from within the community. Some people have lived in the community for a long time. One family has been in Port Moody since 1883 (Port Moody was incorporated in 1886). There are also lots of new people coming into the community. It takes leadership and careful planning to maintain the culture and history, and still feed and house everyone. Dissention cannot play a part in the growth of the community.

It's a difficult situation when established people move out, while the next generation can’t afford purchase a house. Yaletown was never expected to be successful as it is, with regards to having families in towers. Those families are now moving out to the ‘burbs’ due to gentrification, but there is no place for them to move to as housing is so limited. Expo ’86 introduced the world to Vancouver which has a stable political arena. Generally, artists will create an area and people will move into the area (e.g. Gastown, Yaletown, Main/Cambie).

The perfect community is where people know and support each other and feel safe. It is an inclusive place where the lowest is raised. We struggle with this now because communities are changing so quickly. There must be infrastructure and housing for all the people who serve the community. We can look to other communities to see what is working.

Ideal governance is when there is a sense of space where people feel safe and honoured in the working environment. More is achieved when everyone is happy. Council difficulties are not specific to Port Moody. The question is which candidates are sharing their vision and not attacking the other person. A successful Council comes down to teamwork.