We’ll be doing far more than just dusting off and adjusting our Corporate Strategic Plan as we launch our comprehensive review this fall. A lot has changed – in the world and in our community – in the seven years since we adopted our current Strategic Plan. Our taxpayers have different priorities and needs, and our community is facing different challenges.

For example, we’re dealing with economic and social issues today that we didn’t envision in 2002. A different approach is required. But we also can’t lose sight of the fact that there are core services that we as a City need to deliver, and to deliver well.

Our Strategic Plan guides our City’s decisions, so it’s critical that it accurately reflects the community’s vision for the future. It needs to be current and it needs to be realistic.

Most of all, it needs to reflect your needs and your priorities. We’ll be launching a community engagement process as part of our review, and I’m looking forward to finding out what you have to say about what’s important to you, and how you envision Port Coquitlam in the future.

This is your chance to help shape your community and create the Port Coquitlam you want. Keep an eye on www.portcoquitlam.ca/getinvolved and other City publications this fall for opportunities to participate. I’d also like to thank those residents in our community who are helping make our neighbourhoods safer by bear-proofing their homes. We understand our new Solid Waste Bylaw has caused some inconvenience for people. At the same time, the bylaw is a direct response to requests for the City to take action about our escalating bear problem. Judging by the article to the left, it seems to be helping. Again, thanks for working with us to help achieve a safer community for everyone.