Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West will be hearing the voices of more than a dozen local residents, leaders and business owners about what matters most to the community over the next two years.
A total of 18 people were selected this week to join the mayor's citizen advisory roundtable (MCAR), which is in its fourth term since 2019 when West launched the program after his ascent to the big chair.
The volunteer group is set to bring input and opinions about important city hall issues and decisions that may help council shape the future of the community's quality of life.
This can include PoCo's financial budgeting, upcoming projects and development, policing and recreation, and initiatives the city should take an interest in.
The city said it was imperative that the new MCAR bring a variety of perspectives to the table.
"Their experiences and ideas about how we could do things better or more efficient were integral pieces," said West in an earlier statement about the roundtable.
"We look forward to hearing what matters to our citizens and businesses and how this new roundtable of voices for the 2023–24 year, can come up with creative ways to make Port Coquitlam a better place for everyone who lives, works, visits and invests here."
Between 2019 and 2022, the city said MCAR groups provided key input on Port Coquitlam's police model review, master transportation and climate action plans, and the revitalization of the Veterans Park and Leigh Square.
The city received 50 submissions from potential residents within its latest application window, Dec. 1-18, 2022.
The new MCAR, whose members are as follows (in alphabetical order), is set to serve between now and December 2024:
- Dawn Becker
- Dave Bhauruth
- Devon Bouillon
- Aman Brah
- Colleen Fee
- Mike Forrest
- Sarah Harbord
- Brian Johnson
- Calvin Kamensek
- Becca Lewis
- Shawna Lum-Thompson
- Tracy (Farrell) MacRae
- Sharmini Manoharan
- Tammy McGoldrick
- Janine Melenka
- Philip Porter
- Royce Shook
- Zack Vilvang
For more information about MCAR and other Port Coquitlam advisory groups, you can visit the city's website.
