New West mayoral candidate promises Canada Games Pool plan

Mayoral candidate Jonathan X. Cote is committed to getting started on the redevelopment of the Canada Games Pool in the next four years.
Cote supports a plan for the redevelopment of Canada Games Pool that would include retrofitting the existing building, adding a lobby/fitness building that links Canada Games Pool and Centennial Community Centre, expanding the family change rooms and adding a leisure pool.
“If elected, I am committed to making this project a reality,” he said in a press release.

Cote said the city has given a lot of attention to new facilities and parks in the past decade, but it’s time to focus on some of the city’s aging and existing facilities like the Canada Games Pool.
“The Canada Games Pool is one of the most important civic facilities in our community, but the facility is aging and we need to move forward with its redevelopment,” he said in a press release.
According to Cote, the city is scheduled to spend millions of dollars to maintain the existing facility in the next four years.
“We cannot afford to waste millions of dollars putting band aid solutions on this facility,” he said. “This money would be more wisely spent on investing in its redevelopment to better meet the needs of our community.”

All-candidates meeting goes online

The Moody Park Residents’ Association is putting on a “dynamic and different” All-candidates meeting for mayor and council candidates.

The meeting is being held on Monday, Nov. 10 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the New Westminster Evangelical Free Church, 7895 Canada Way (just across 10th Avenue in Burnaby)

Can’t get out that night? Not to worry, the Moody Park Residents’ Association is partnering with NewWest.tv, which will provide a live video stream of the all-candidates meeting to the web.

“Viewers will also be able to follow the event live on Twitter through @newwestdottv,” said residents’ association president Christopher Bell in an email to candidates. “This will be an exciting chance to get your message out to the whole New Westminster community and we look forward to seeing you all on the 10th of November.”

Coming just days before the Nov. 15 civic election, it could be the final in a series of all candidates meetings for mayor, council and school trustees.

More sign requirements

You’re not wrong if you think the election signs look a little wordier than in past years.

All signs must meet a new requirement that states they at they must include the name of their financial agent on the sign. That means folks who are reusing signs from past elections must ensure they’re updated to include the information.

A number of changes are in place of the 2014 civic elections including the need for every candidate to have a financial agent (they can do it themselves), who keeps track of contributions and expenses and files the disclosure statements following the election.

Wright gets it right

Incumbent mayor Wayne Wright has trimmed back the signs in his campaign office.

The city’s election office received a complaint that signs in Wright’s campaign office on Carnarvon Street exceeded the size limits in the election signage guidelines. Staff measured the signs, confirmed they were too big and returned to ensure the signs complied with the guidelines.

“The signs are all in compliance,” said Veronika Metchie, the city’s acting manager of licensing and integrated services.

Crosty open for business

James Crosty’s business will do double-duty as home of his 2014 mayoral election campaign.

A press release states the office at 239 Sixth St. has been a beehive of activity since Crosty announced he would once again be running for mayor. He invites all who have an interest in this election, those who have questions or concerns or those who simply want to wish him good luck or make a financial contribution to drop by the office, which is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

“It will operate as a drop-in centre, and as it is my place of business, there is a strong chance that I will be there to greet you personally,” he said.