Special guest co-host Karima Budhwani is in the studio to chat about a number of fascinating topics making news in New Westminster this week.
Right off the top, the discussion focuses on the potential of a new high school in Queensborough. A motion coming to Council calls for greater advocacy regarding a School District 40 request of the Ministry of Education for funding to construct a new high school in Queensborough. Is it possible we can think out of the box and have the Richmond and New West School Districts work collaboratively to build this new educational institution?
Next up is a discussion regarding a Metro Vancouver watermain break which had significant impact on a dozens of New West families a week ago. While restoration crews are on site cleaning up the mess, questions are being asked as to whether the review being conducted by Metro Vancouver will be truly independent. Furthermore, will the residents be provided with all the details and analysis provided by the third-party investigator?
The Mayor’s Urban Caucus issued a statement which called for significant advocacy on a number of fronts including more supports for detox and recovery beds. New West Mayor Johnstone signed on to the news release, but will Council support all of the wording included in the communique? A motion coming to Council will determine whether everyone agrees with the Urban Mayors Caucus.
It appears the rewilding and naturalizing of the boulevards on 5th and 2nd Streets may be on hold for a while. According to a staff email to residents, there will be no more ‘rewilding’ until the pilot project can be fully assessed. This means residents likely won’t see any further changes until AFTER the 2026 civic election.
Should you be able to find out how much each elected official in New West collects by way of salary, stipends and expense claims? That’s the thrust of a motion by Coun. Paul Minhas who is asking that effective 2024, all payments made to New West elected officials for attending Metro Vancouver, TransLink and other regional boards, be consolidated and made available as one public report. Is this a ‘no-brainer’ or not?
An open house in Queensborough this week brought together city staff and the community to determine the level of interest in constructing a new turf and track field at Ryall Park South. A motion to this effect was introduced by the NWP back in January 2023 – and two years later the community has now been chosen as a finalist for this new capital investment. Will Queensborough come out on top – or not?
Karima provides an update on what the NWP is doing when it comes to candidate recruitment for the civic election next year. She’s also put under the gun and asked what her future political plans are – does she take the bait?
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