[NEWS] Former North Van councillor in New West race

A former North Vancouver city councillor is hoping to apply her experience on New Westminster city council.

Mary Trentadue believes her experience as a councillor in the City of North Vancouver uniquely positions her to address some of the central issues facing New Westminster. As a councillor in North Vancouver, she said she helped develop guidelines for new coach house construction, and sat on the heritage advisory committee and public art and culture commission.

“New Westminster is our home, we chose it for its livability and amazing amenities,” she said in a press release. “We’ve watched the growth, and I’m excited about what’s next for this vibrant and diverse city.”

Trentadue owned the independent bookstore 32 Books on the North Shore for about 10 years. Last October, she moved to New Westminster with her husband and her three-and-a-half-year-old son.

Now living in the Moody Park neighbourhood, Trentadue is a board member at Saint Barnabas Daycare.

Trentadue, who served one term in North Vancouver, told The Record that New Westminster and North Vancouver City share many similarities including size, population, train issues on the waterfront and a large rental base. She noted that both cities are working hard to revitalize their waterfronts.

While she’s new to New West, Trentadue said she is comfortable she’s got a good grasp of the issues facing the city, including traffic and growing the city while maintaining its wonderful quality.

“I am new, there is no doubt about it,” she said. “I have that passion for the community.”

If elected to city council, Trentadue intends to focus on flexible and affordable housing options, and to make sure people can get where they need to go, whether by foot, bike, transit or car.

Incumbent Coun. Chuck Puchmayr is supporting Trentadue in her bid for a seat on city council.

“I was thrilled to hear that Mary had decided to run for city council,” he said in a press release.  “Her previous experience on North Vancouver city  council will easily transfer to our community and she will bring proven civic experience to her position as a New Westminster city councillor.  She truly has my support.”

Trentadue said the New Westminster and District Labour Council has endorsed her in the 2014 civic election. She said she's pleased to be running with a group of like-minded candidates, having personally seen the difficulty in getting anything done when there are divisions on council.