2017 Citizens Report

A Look Back at 2017

It is my pleasure to provide the introduction to the 2017 Citizens Report. This represents the third of the four year term for our Council and as you will see in the upcoming pages of this publication, it was a year filled with important milestones for our community. This publication is one of my favourites because it serves as our community ‘yearbook’ with stories and images that allow us to celebrate the major milestones and significant day-to- day work that occurs, often unnoticed. The overall theme of this publication is one that is very dear to my heart. At the beginning of our term Councillor Shymkiw, Councillor Bell and I had the honour of serving on Council’s Open Government Task Force. We had a vision around improving access to information, government processes and accountability around the work of our City. In the fall of 2017 the City’s Open Government Portal was launched, leapfrogging our community into a leadership position in

providing citizens with information. The feature story on page 8 talks about the leadership of community volunteers in developing recommendations and how a team of professionals across our organization met the challenge and vision set out in the beginning of the mandate. Throughout this publication you will find references to data that is available on the finances and business activity for the City of Maple Ridge. In 2017 our nation celebrated Canada’s 150 birthday. On page 36 you will learn about the yearlong celebration that was held. I was particularly proud of the way our community embraced our First Nations, the Katzie and Kwantlen people, as part of this celebration. The process of reconciliation and the strengthening of cultural and economic ties is a shared goal of our three governments. On page 40 you will discover more about an incredible public servant and community leader, Superintendent Jennifer Hyland, who was appointed as the Officer in Charge for the Ridge

Meadows RCMP Detachment in May of 2017. Jennifer’s family grew up in this community and she brings her passion and professionalism to this important role in our community. Pages 17 to 28 are filled with important information on the City’s finances, population and demographics. Our staff work hard to present the information in a reader friendly way. My favourite section starts on page 29 with the photos that allow us to look back on 2017 and celebrate the people, places and events that reflect the passion and spirit of volunteerism that is at the heart of our community. Join me as we read through the pages of the 2017 Citizens Report and celebrate our amazing community.

Nicole Read, Mayor

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