Making it official: I'm running for re-election

Well, it's official. With the encouragement of countless supporters, friends and family, I've just declared that I'm running for re-election to Coquitlam City Council. I've dropped off my newly designed re-election brochure at the printers and I've distributed a news release to the local news media (text below). I've also re-engaged my completely new and redesigned primary website, www.terryoneill.ca. For the past three years, visitors to that address have been redirected to this blog. For the next couple of months, at least, terryoneill.ca will take you to the campaign website, while this blog can be reached at its direct address, electterryoneill.blogspot.ca. Wish me luck!

COQUITLAM – Coquitlam Councillor Terry O’Neill has announced he will run for re-election in the Nov. 15 general election. O’Neill, an award-winning writer and editor for 35 years before entering public life, was first elected to Coquitlam Council in the 2011 general election.

 “We’ve accomplished much over the past three years, but it is crucial that the gains we have made, in areas such as budget restraint, be protected,” says O’Neill, 63, who is not affiliated with a slate. “The taxpayers of Coquitlam cannot afford to go back to the days of recklessly high annual tax increases.”

Property taxes increased an average of 5.1% over the three years before O’Neill took his seat on council. Since then, the rate of increase has declined each year, averaging 2.8% annually, and was just 2.4% this year. All this, while the city improved roads, added parks and trails, and built a new fire hall.

“I’ve also worked hard to ensure that the city moves quickly to meet the demand for new housing,” O’Neill says. “It means more families can put down roots in our beautiful community. As well, increasing housing supply is the most efficient way to make housing more affordable.”

O’Neill also points to accomplishments in the area of democratic reform. His motion led to Coquitlam’s first e-Town Hall meeting. And, when the provincial government asked for input on campaign-spending reform, he argued successfully for regulations ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.

“Terry’s hard work as a City Councillor demonstrates his deep commitment to his constituents,” says Senator Yonah Martin of Coquitlam, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate. “I am certain that Terry’s re-election will continue to provide a strong, independent voice on Council that will greatly benefit the citizens of Coquitlam.”

Council has some important decisions to make in the coming four years. “With change coming so rapidly to Coquitlam in so many areas, it is imperative that proper public consultation occurs before Council takes action,” O’Neill says. “I will work diligently to do what’s best for Coquitlam. That’s my promise, and you can count on it.”