Independent mayoral candidate Dennet “The Cat Guy” Lee provided yes/no responses on some topics in Richmond’s civic election questionnaire and did not answer others.
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Dennet “The Cat Guy” Lee, an independent mayoral candidate in Richmond, answered selected questions in a municipal candidate questionnaire being published online from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8.
Lee, who did not provide a home neighbourhood in the questionnaire, said he is an incorporated local business owner for 23 years and works as a fitness trainer. He listed meeting new people and introducing friends to each other as a favourite pastime, and said he is running because “Richmond needs to celebrate diversity by collaborating to unify our strengths” while balancing “evolution” with the city’s heritage. He also described the mayor’s role as “to speak with courage, to act with honour and to serve with humility.”
In yes/no responses, Lee said “No” to increasing taxes to pay for more police officers and firefighters, and also said “No” to lowering fees for developers to support faster housing development. He answered “Yes” to allowing more City of Richmond-owned land to be used for affordable housing, and said Richmond needs to reduce traffic congestion (“Yes”).
Lee also indicated “Yes” to lower property taxes in Richmond and to increasing funding for arts programming. He answered “No” to whether Richmond receives enough support from seniors levels of government for housing, health and transportation.
On additional questionnaire items, Lee supported creating more low-cost or subsidized commercial space for local entrepreneurs and startups (“Yes”). He also said Richmond should hold more public consultations before major infrastructure decisions (“Yes”).
For other questions in the questionnaire, Lee did not provide an answer, including whether Richmond is safe place to live, work and play, whether he would continue the city’s appeal of the Cowichan Tribes ruling, and whether he would increase reconciliation efforts with First Nations. He also did not provide an answer on whether he would support continuing temporary modular housing contracts, adding more bike lanes, whether Richmond should have more recreational facilities, and whether he supports allowing retail cannabis stores in Richmond.
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