Why I am running for DNV Council again: Lisa Muri

My name is Lisa Muri, I was born and raised in the District and my 3 children are 5th generation. My family has been in the community since 1937 and we come from small business.

My focus is on sustainability, the environment and responding to our community’s concerns. I was part of a group in 96 that saved 1,000 acres of forest on Seymour from development. I work hard to maintain the livability in the District, and have challenged the pace of development on the North Shore for years.

Clearly, supply and demand have done nothing to lower the price of strata or rental units, we have more cars on the road than ever, with only two ways off the North Shore. The electric bike has given us an alternative to the car, however our challenging climate makes it a fair weather option for the vast majority of us. Redevelopment has brought new housing, businesses and residents to our community, but we have displaced those in older, more affordable housing and few mom-and-pop shops can afford the lease prices, and yet they are what has kept us sustainable.

We don’t have enough doctors and paramedics. The Chamber of Commerce has identified transportation and health care among the top two most urgent issues in the community, and since thousands of units are still to be completed in the District, is it not prudent to slow down, so we can understand what the impacts will be?

Mayor Little is working hard to secure improved transit to the North Shore, but we have competition with other municipalities and senior govt priorities, and funding is never secure until shovels are in the ground. Inflation is skyrocketing. We need to move forward carefully. Finally, making good, balanced decisions for the benefit of our residents and businesses, is Council’s role. There are no sides in municipal politics. I represent all, regardless of whether you vote for me or not.

We have never had so many ways to communicate and yet we are talking less. We need to remove the divisive tone that is creeping into the most accessible form of government and get back to working together. I love this community. My father taught me to give back, and my mother taught me to speak up, stand up and be heard. I am a Councillor that works for the people, I have 26 years of experience, life-long passion, and a corporate memory, assets that are vital to future decision making. I thank you all and respectfully ask for your support on October 15th.