Meet Chinu Das, Team Cote
Name: Chinu Das
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chinudasnewwestcouncil/
Website: www.chinudas.ca
Email: [email protected]
Questions (in 50 words unless specified).
Tell us about yourself: (100 words)
I have lived in New Westminster for more than 29 years with my husband and three wonderful children. I have volunteered extensively during this time as a parent and community member. I am currently on the Community and Social Issues, Seniors Advisory and Welcoming and Inclusive New Westminster committees. I have a Ph.D. in urban planning with a focus on social issues. I worked at New Westminster School District and United Way of the Lower Mainland. I love this city and I will continue to do what I can to make it liveable, vibrant and inclusive.
What are the Top 3 issues facing the City of New Westminster? (100 words)
Housing is the topmost issue in New Westminster. This city needs a wide range of housing options and affordability levels. It is a complex issue and needs collaboration with other levels of government.
Increasing traffic in the main arterial roads have been identified by residents.
Social connectedness is also an issue. There are residents in the city who do not feel connected to their neighborhoods and the city due to barriers of age, mobility, language and culture.
What is the biggest success or failure of the current city council?
Success: Downtown New Westminster has been revitalized. It is a vibrant area now with many fun events and new stores.
Failure: Although the downtown area is vastly improved, there are many areas and buildings that are run down and need attention. Parking is also an issue in the downtown area.
The City of New Westminster concluded a lengthy official community plan process and is working to implement that plan. With the city’s population projected to grow to 104,000 by 2041, is the city on the right track to accommodating this growth?
Yes. Having an Official Community Plan provides a vision for urban growth. It prepares the community for change. Urban growth happens in planned manner and contained in identified areas. It provides foresight for fiscal management as well. Without it, urban growth would be haphazard and sprawled.
What three people – alive or dead – would you invite to a dinner party?
Rosa Parks, Mahatma Gandhi, and my maternal grandfather. They all stood up against discrimination and for individual and collective freedom. I want to know more about what took them from compliance to defiance.
Editor's note: Candidates were given specific word count guidelines and were cut off if they went over the count.
