Mayor & Council

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Since 1874, when the District of Maple Ridge was first incorporated, the responsibility for local government has vested in a Mayor and Council. The primary functions of Council are to establish administrative policy, to adopt bylaws governing matters delegated to local government through the Community Charter, Local Government Act and other Provincial statutes for the protection of the public, and to levy taxes for these purposes. Council is also empowered to manage, acquire and dispose of District assets. The day-to-day operation of the District is delegated by Council to the Chief Administrative Officer and District Staff.

 

 

Mayor Ernie Daykin

Ernie Daykin's family's roots in Maple Ridge go back to the late 1870's when his great-grandfather Hampton arrived with his family. Ernie says he has been fortunate to live in Maple Ridge for 54 of his 57 years. He and his wife Judy owned and operated a Windsor Plywood franchise in Maple Ridge for 24 years. Ernie worked for the Baptist Housing Society in an administrative role, overseeing a Maple Ridge senior's building, as well as being involved in two new construction projects for the Society.

Ernie served for two terms (six years) on Council before taking the exciting challenge of serving as Maple Ridge's Mayor.

"Words cannot express the range of emotions I have felt since the good folks of Maple Ridge entrusted their Chair to me for the next three years. It is an honour to be able to serve my hometown in this way. This is a place where I have been able grow up, attend school, work, and raise a family." Ernie and Judy have two grown children, Christine (married to Ryan) with two really cute grandsons for us to spoil, and Michael (married to Dana). In his spare time, Ernie likes to read a good "Who done it" and play golf.

Ernie is looking forward to the three-year journey this Council and municipal staff team will take, together with the citizens of Maple Ridge. We should all be excited about the journey as we move forward to turn possibilities into probabilities and then see them become realities.

Not without the odd challenge along the way but also exciting none the less with some laughs for good measure. The trademark of this Council will be delivering results through relationships. Strong positive relationships are key to realize the outcomes we want to achieve.

Ernie believes strongly in giving back to the community we live in and striving to make it a better place for all. He has always strived to do that with both his business and personal life. Ernie has served as a volunteer member for a variety of not for profit boards both in the business community as well as the social services community.

Ernie's liaison roles are: Maple Ridge Economic Advisory Commission, and the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission, Pitt Meadows Regional Airport Society, Audit & Finance Committee, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Policing Task Force, Metro Vancouver Waste Committee, Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Committee, and the Ridge Meadows Youth Justice Advocacy.

edaykin@mapleridge.ca

"I consider it a privilege to serve Maple Ridge, in the role of Mayor. 
Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail with any concerns or ideas you may have. 
I believe by working together Maple Ridge will be the winner!"

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Councillor Cheryl Ashlie

Cheryl and her family have been residents of Maple Ridge since 1995. She has been married to Dean for 27 years and they have two grown boys and a daughter still in high school. Cheryl grew up in East Vancouver, but has memories of driving through Maple Ridge to go to Alouette Lake, when she was a child. After marrying, Cheryl and Dean moved aboard their 42 foot sailboat, which they lived on for 14 years, while the kids were young. Moving to Maple Ridge was an easy transition from life on the boat, from the perspective of having easy access to the beautiful outdoors, which was the true benefit of living on a boat on the Westcoast.

Cheryl worked in Vancouver General Hospital as a Food Service Supervisor for 14 years, but left the profession to stay home with her kids while they were young. Her involvement in her children's school's Parent Advisory Committee drew her towards the role of a school trustee. She ran for election in 1999 and was successful in three consecutive municipal elections. She was honoured to be selected by her peers as the Vice Chair of the Board of Education during her first term, and then as Chair of the Board for the subsequent two terms.

Involvement in the community has encompassed volunteering with her children sports; volunteering on the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services board for 5 years; assisting with various charity walks and runs; volunteering to assist in the organization of the Disability Games for July of 2009; and chair of the CYFN sub-committee: Substance Misuse Prevention Committee, for the past 5 years.

In her role as school board chair, Cheryl served on the municipality's Parks & Leisure Services Commission from 2002 until 2008, as well as on the Social Planning Advisory Committee for a total of 7 years out of the 9 years she served on the board.

Cheryl is presently enrolled in Political Science at the University of Athabasca.

Cheryl believes community leaders, no matter what their role is, should set the goal of contributing to enhancing the ability of every citizen to make the best life possible; the three years that will make up the 2008-2011 term will find Cheryl dedicated to supporting this goal.

cashlie@mapleridge.ca

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Councillor Judy Dueck

A resident of Maple Ridge since 1975, Judy is married to Ron and they have two grown children and one grandson.

Judy has a demonstrated ability to work independently or as part of a team, with a proven track record. Her past experience includes being a senior executive where she developed and illustrated, highly developed leadership skills coupled with superior public relation competencies.

Judy is currently employed as an Occupational Health & Safety Professional with School District No. 42.

Judy has a long history of community involvement, including past member of the Meadow Ridge Rotary Club, Past President of Alouette Addictions Service Society, the District Parent Advisory Council, and director of the 1998 BC Summer Games.

Judy is currently serving her third term on Council. Previous to this she served nine years on the School Board which included four years as the School Board Chair.

Judy's liaison roles include: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services Commission, Audit & Finance Committee, Ridge Meadows Arts Council, Public Art Steering Committee, Fraser Health Advisory committee, Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Committee, and alternate director - Metro Vancouver Board.

Judy believes it is important to be open, accessible and willing to engage in and encourage discussion on all matters of importance to the citizens of Maple Ridge.

jdueck@mapleridge.ca

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.
I believe Maple Ridge is a wonderful community to live in and
I feel honoured to have the opportunity to represent you on Council."

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Councillor Al Hogarth

Al is proud to be a lifelong resident of Maple Ridge and has been privileged to work locally for most of his career. Al has been a licensed realtor since 1979, primarily in residential sales. He also provides rental property management and development consulting services. During this time he has volunteered thousands of hours to many different causes. His many life experiences are rooted in Maple Ridge, attending school, running a business, his marriage to Deb, and the raising of their daughter Aleesha. These life lessons have given Al a deep appreciation for Maple Ridge and what it means to grow with a community.

Al believes that his involvement in the early 70's in the Municipal Advisory Planning Commission through to the present has given him tremendous insight into the evolution of local planning issues. Al's fascination and commitment to socially, economically, and environmentally balanced communities continues to this day with his continuing studies through SFU's City Program and the Centre for Sustainable Community Development, certificate program. In his spare time, Al's fascination and commitment to socially, economically, and environmentally balanced communities keeps his mind active. In his spare time, Al enjoys golf and curling.

Maple Ridge is a desirable place to live. Our rural character, geographical location and diversity add to the challenges of balanced growth. We are all proud of our community which we hope to share with future generations in a socially responsible, environmentally and economically conscious way.

ahogarth@mapleridge.ca

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Councillor Linda King

Linda is serving her sixth term as a municipal Councillor in Maple Ridge.  She has been active in the community for many years, having served on the boards of several non-profit organizations: Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services Council, Family Education and Support Centre, Ridge-Meadows Recycling Society, Maple Ridge Art Gallery, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council, and the United Way of the Lower Mainland.  She has worked locally as a high school teacher, a social worker, and an elementary school counsellor.

Born in Montreal, Linda grew up there, as well as Halifax and Winnipeg.  She has a BA from Dalhousie University and an MEd from the University of British Columbia.  She has lived in Maple Ridge since 1967 and is the parent of three grown daughters: Gabrielle, Allyson, and Jennifer.  In June 2007, Linda retired from her job with School District No 42.  She is glad to have some extra time for municipal work and for family, especially now that grandchildren have arrived..

A long-time environmentalist, and deeply committed to the welfare of children, Linda is most concerned about all the issues related to climate change and global warming.

Maple Ridge is a very special place within Metro Vancouver.  It has managed to retain and enhance its downtown core, and to keep a small town feel despite rapid growth.  It has developed beautiful parks, partnered to create an extensive trail network and is a pioneer in watershed protection.  It provides a wide range of opportunities for socialization and recreation for people of all ages.  It is a wonderful place in which to raise children, and a place for aging with grace.

Linda believes that citizen involvement is essential for a healthy and vibrant community. Please contact her with your concerns, issues, and ideas.

lking@mapleridge.ca

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Councillor Michael Morden

Mike has lived in Maple Ridge for 22 years. He and his wife Kim, a local piano teacher and full time university student, have been married 28 years and have two grown children.

Mike worked in the security industry for 28 years. He and his wife owned and operated Nova Security in Maple Ridge for 18 years.

Mike taught for 10 years part time in trades courses at BCIT and the Justice Institute of B.C. He holds tickets for Electrical and Alarm Systems, sits on a PAC at BCIT, a provincial government advisory board and is a past director of the Alarm Association of BC (Canasa).

Mike has a long history of community involvement including 18 years in the Haney Rotary Club serving as President, five terms as Secretary and is currently an ongoing active member. He has been a Chamber of Commerce member for 15 years and is a past member of the Maple Ridge Crime Prevention Committee. He has volunteered for a myriad of other service oriented positions including BC Summer Games-Burnaby 1984, BC Summer Games-Maple Ridge 1998, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and coaching juvenile soccer.

Mike says: "I love the community of Maple Ridge and its people. I believe that my city has great potential. There are people who have told me that there is no point in running for Council because nothing in Maple Ridge ever changes. I don't believe that. I believe that Maple Ridge can change and change for the better. I'm a regular community member, just like you, who wants to live in a city that is a balanced mix of residential, business, recreational and green-space. I don't think we have to sacrifice one to get the other. I think we can have it all".

Mike is excited about his first term as Councillor and knows that his fresh, practical, sensible perspective will be sure to help provide balanced decision making by Council.

mmorden@mapleridge.ca

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Councillor Craig Speirs

Councillor Speirs is committed to making our community a better place by growing in ways that respect and sustain our social, natural, and economic environments. There are many challenges being faced by our community every day, one of the most difficult is residential growth and the pressures it places on taxes, infrastructure, and the services we all depend on.

Neighbourhood planning is the key to Smart Growth. All neighbourhoods in our community must be involved in creating a shared vision that takes a snapshot of what we want our neighbourhoods to look and feel like in the future. We need to know where we are going in order to get there.

Craig, an environmental and social activist, has been a resident of Maple Ridge since 1973 and has been married for over 20 years to Diane. He has two children Adlayna and Rory, and is currently retired after 34 years with the Liquor Distribution Branch.

Among Craig's accomplishments:

• Director with the Lower Mainland Local Government Association
• Director with the Municipal Insurance Association
• Past-Director of the Ridge-Meadows Recycling Society
• Past-Director of the Fraser Information Society
• Past-Chair of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Fundraising Committee for BC's Children's Hospital. For service to B.C.'s Children, Craig is the recipient of the "CANADA 125" Medal and has received the Outstanding Service Award from Golden Ears Kiwanis Club
• Received the Cash Initiative Award for creating a recycling system for the Liquor Distribution Branch

In his spare time, Craig enjoys photography, organic gardening, hiking our fantastic local trails, and is a wine and food consultant.

cspeirs@mapleridge.ca

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