Maple Ridge Council

So, I have attended two candidate forums now and have verified my thoughts on the problems with past Councils and why we are stalemated in Maple Ridge.
The mayor is a loner, although he insists the Council is the 'most cohesive' in years. Dr. No, Craig Speirs, certainly does not attest to that fact in his ads, knocking all his fellow Council members for encouraging urban sprawl as he calls it. Mr. Robson has also cast aspersions on most Council members in recent news stories. Hard to find cohesiveness there.
Mr. Robson took on the mayor's chair three years ago with a promise he would only run for one term. He has been so busy since counting the days since then that he hasn't had time to do the things he also promised, and it shows.
He has taken a stance of publicly fighting with other bodies like the local RCMP, which makes it hard to get cooperation on issues that need their help.
Recent stories from Jackson Farm owners and St. Pat's people state he expressed thoughts to them in the past where he now denies any involvement.
His ads laments the fact he has been outvoted 6-1 on three of his ideas. That kind of odds in my book would tell me I am the one on the wrong track.
While Mr. Robson gives me the sense of looking down his nose at us in the audience, he rattles off things achieved, so much so that I almost expect him to take credit for creation. I don't hear mention of the new casino nor the bus line he touted in his original run with a sign at the bridge, saying "if we voted for him, we would be home by now".
His cleaning of the downtown is summed up in a statement that he knows all the homeless in the area. Then ask them on a personal basis to get help, but much more needs to be done. As pointed out by one of the candidates, "great grassy spots" exist downtown. The main intersection of entry to the core is composed of Tim Horton's on one corner and a gigantic parking lot on the other. Not impressive.
The last exercise downtown was the creation of memorial park, the ACT, business center, etc., a very creative and well visited area. Speaking of memorial, behind his back, the ACT is called the Robson memorial, as at one time he was adamantly against such a structure, reportedly saying it would be built 'over his dead body'.
Mr. Sather on the other hand, the ineffective MLA who has also been fired from his Caucus, has never met a tree he didn't like, and has attempted to make a career of it. Now, he is supportive of downtown development, but you can bet that is the only place. The rest of Maple Ridge will have to stay a park to get his vote. Where are the expected tremendous growth of people going to live. There are two huge bridges being completed to convenience the travel of these citizens, yet Mr. Sather wants them to reside only in town. Better preparation than that is needed.
Mr. Daykin, a great guy, needs to step up a little more. He has the experience and the ability, and, unlike his opposition, some serious and dedicated time on Council, all attributes that will do him well.
There are a great deal of people wanting a seat on Council, and signs abound throughout the community. I don't understand Mr. Hogarth's 'independent' tag on his posters. From what? Aren't all seat seekers independent?
Well, I have my slate ready and I've voted at the advance poll. Take your time this round. We need some aggressive, talented people who are ready to move us into a new phase and experience.