Port Moody Budget 2015
On March 5, 2015, the city held a town hall meeting to discuss Port Moody’s budget. The city would like feedback on the proposed budget by Tuesday, March 17. See Port Moody Budget — 2015 post for more information.
Campaign disclosures
In online posts of March 1st and February 23, 2015, MCCA reported on campaign donation disclosures — the official papers due 90 days after the municipal election — and included some overall numbers and individual breakdowns.
—Election 2014 disclosures
—Update — Campaign spending, totals, breakdowns
Kudos to the Tri-City News [TCN] for a follow-up article (which wasn’t just about Coquitlam):
Developers dug deep in Coquitlam election, March 11, 2015
Some of the numbers used in the TCN article don’t match the numbers in our posts. One reason is because MCCA research and numbers included all Port Moody candidates, whereas the TCN numbers focussed on elected candidates. Therefore, the individual, union, and business/corporate donation totals are much higher in our reporting as they reflect total donations for all candidates. We felt it was useful information for now and the future.
In future elections, we hope to see more transparency and disclosure before elections, as well as clear rules including caps on donations.
Public hearings — March 24,2015
Before the regular council meeting, there are now plans for two public hearings:
— Redevelopment of the Port Moody Legion property on Clarke Street
— Official Community Plan (to deal with problems identified by Metro Vancouver/GVRD)
The meeting agenda, which will provide additional details, is not yet available.
Improvements to TransCanada Trail via Port Moody
A Moody Centre resident, along with others, is working on a presentation to council, expected to happen at council’s March 24, 2015 meeting.
Feedback wanted
A Moody Centre resident is involved with a proposal to bring The Learning Centre (TLC) to Moody Centre, in partnership with SD43. The program would offer before and after school care and enrichment programming. Local Block 8 Academy wants to hear from residents. For more information and to take a “1 minute survey” click here.
Plasco fiasco
In 2008, Plasco Energy Group proposed a waste-to-energy (incineration) plant in Port Moody. The proposal was soundly rejected by residents and subsequently council of the day. In early February 2015, the company obtained a court order under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, after it missed a $3.5M payment. The small town of Blind River, Ontario is a creditor to the tune of almost $18M.
Small town of Blind River caught up in Plasco fallout (Ottawa Citizen, Feb. 12, 2015)
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We welcome your comments, online or by email (mcca.pm@gmail.com).