Campaign
Thank You
An open thank you to all of those who have helped me. Because of Elections BC regulations, we aren’t allowed to be ‘social’ on Social Media tomorrow… but please don’t think, because this account suddenly goes silent, that we aren’t out there, trying to earn every last vote.
I appreciate all the LIKES, SHARES, and wonderful comments of support we’ve received throughout the campaign! They mean SO much to me and my team. On Election Day, please remember to contact your friends, family and neighbours, and remind them how important it is to vote.
A few shout-outs before the silence of Social Media becomes the regulatory requirement.
I want to thank all of you that I have had the opportunity to meet and speak with over the last few months. I have to let you all know that regardless of the support (one way or another) I have grown from this experience. I hope the voters of Surrey give me the opportunity to use this experience.
Thank you to the Surrey First Councillors, Candidates and Campaign Team, who have all become extended members of my family.
I want to thank “Mike’s Campaign” team for all of their hard work and their persistence to keep me moving forward. They have been there at a moment’s notice for tasks that we wanted and needed to be done. These are the people that I am proud to call friends and will cherish taking this journey with them.
To my fellow firefighters. Words will never describe my thanks for your efforts to get me noticed. Yes. I know I did some of that on my own, but my IAFF Brothers and Sisters efforts have surpassed my wildest dreams. Together we have made firefighting synonymous with public safety, as it should be. I am truly proud to be a member of the IAFF and will never forget a somewhat copied phrase I have used from many years ago and plan to continue to use, “membership has its privileges” and I’m privileged and honoured to be a member.
Lastly, to my family. They have seen the highs and lows of this campaign and offered nothing other than words of praise (sprinkled with a few swift kicks in the butt) during the past months. They understand the pressures I have been under and I couldn’t have done this without their support. Love you all!
Consider this a “good luck” chain letter and consider calling 10 people and letting them know that the Surrey First TEAM is the best choice for all of Surrey and you get great luck! Add the Surrey First Education team and you get super great luck!
Thank you.
Mike
On November 15th
Thank you for showing interest and taking the time to come to my website.
On November 15th, it will be time to exercise your right to vote. Everyone needs to be well informed on who will do the best job for those who live, work and play in Surrey. Make sure you are voting for someone who can deliver on their promises. As a Surrey First Councillor I will deliver on all of the issues I have put forward during the election campaign.
Recovery Houses
Recovery Houses need to be supported and registered. Those that are not, will need to be shut down. There is only one person in the City of Surrey that has been in ALL of the recovery houses and that is ME.
We don’t need 24 additional By-Law Enforcement Officers, as some claim. We need City Hall to follow through and implement plans and recommendations I made as Chief Fire Prevention Officer.
Secondary Suites
Secondary Suites need to be identified and inspected on a regular basis, to ensure the safety of those who live there, and to ensure the property owners are paying their fair share to the City for the services they receive. Surrey First has a plan to deal with all of the issues that surround secondary suites in a prompt way.
Seniors in Surrey
I want to ensure the work done by our Seniors’ Advisory and Accessibility Committee (SAAC) continues to grow with our growing seniors population. The Seniors Strategy that was developed with this committee is comprehensive and has short and long term goals. Our seniors are cherished members of our community, and we need to ensure they continue to have access to physically and socially active programs.
Public Safety
Public safety has been in the forefront this election and as a firefighter in our community for 32 years, I know what the firefighters have done for public safety and what they will continue to do. The firefighters know how a sense of community plays a role in keeping our neighbourhoods safe. They know we need to add a public education program with the additional RCMP members that Surrey First had requested. We know that when a person has an incident, they want a well-trained and armed Peace Officer showing up on their doorstep and not “plastic police”.
November 15th
This election is going to set a path. For those of you in the fire service, remember what our growth was and what our staffing levels were, up to 2005. I started in 1982 and there were four firefighters on an engine. During a time of growth with a tax freeze, we shrunk to three firefighters on an engine, which often resulted in firefighters putting their lives in jeopardy while trying to save the life of another. Freezing taxes and reducing costs by an unexplained 3% only increases risks for those densified areas that required more resources. We can’t let history repeat itself!
Surrey First has the experience that no other slate has. Every member on this team works with both the positive and the negative sides of the City on a daily basis. We don’t speak to what we read or hear, we stand on what we have accomplished.
I want to take my experience and bring that to Council to effect change and make my City even better. I have spent 32 years in the TEAM environment with the Surrey Fire Fighters and this is the next TEAM I want to work with.
So, on November 15th, please get out with your family, friends and neighbours and vote for Mike Starchuk, Linda Hepner and the Surrey First TEAM.
While you are in the voting booth, please also consider casting your School Board votes for the Surrey First Education Team.
Thank you for your consideration!
Reasons To Elect Mike Starchuk
Mike was pleased and honoured to see this ad, detailing his qualifications and track record of community involvement, run in Surrey papers.
This ad was run as part of the endorsement and support of the Surrey Fire Fighters – Local 1271, for Mike Starchuk for Surrey City Council.
If the image doesn’t load, you can see a PDF version of the ad, by clicking this link here
What Separates Mike Starchuk & Surrey First from the Rest of the Candidates
During the past three weeks, voters have had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Councillor candidates and what they stand for. The dialogues and debates provided forums for the voters to hear us. Surrey voters can now go to the polls and cast their votes for those who will keep the City moving in the right direction.
As a new Councillor candidate, I need to ensure that YOU, the voter, are aware of what YOU can count on, when you elect someone to the City of Surrey Council. I have made every effort to connect to as many of you as possible and will continue to do so right up to the close of polls this Saturday. And, if elected as Councillor for the great City of Surrey, will remain available to my constituents on an ongoing basis.
What Makes Mike Stand Out?
You could vote for someone who reads or hears about some of the issues we have in Surrey. Or you can vote for the person who has been dealing with the issues on a first-hand basis, for years.
You can vote for someone who believes changes may be required at City Hall. Or you can vote for someone who has worked with all of the Departments, and knows where improvement can be made.
You can vote for a person who wants to talk about solutions. Or you can vote for someone who has solutions that need to be moved through our Civic process.
Public Safety
We all agree that public safety is a top priority, but what I have heard, is we need to deal with the root problems and restore a sense of community. Having lived in the same location in Newton for the past 24 years, I can vouch for how well our cul-de-sac works, because we know our neighbours, and we watch out for each other.
Secondary Suites
The other issues that I have a direct working knowledge of, are those surrounding secondary suites and Surrey’s recovery houses. I am confident that Surrey First can improve the process in which we deal with secondary suite issues. Specifically, the matters of multiple illegal suites, safe and affordable living spaces, parking and additional demands for services for the unaccounted residents living in these illegal suites.
Recovery Houses
Recovery houses are also a hot topic and hiring more By-Law Officers is not the solution. We need to work with the Ministry of Health, the Fire Department and our existing By-Law Officers to ensure compliance with provincial and municipal regulations. We need to also ensure that those seeking recovery are provided a space that is safe and livable, so they can concentrate on their recovery and again becoming a productive member of our City.
A Team With Experience
To achieve these goals and to move forward, you need to have a team. More importantly, you need to have a team with experience.
With my 32 years as a firefighter, I assure you, experience is paramount in making decisions. Without experience, decisions made in the Fire Service could become disastrous. Experience in a team environment, through mentoring and education, produces the most efficient results. Surrey First has a proven track record and has a team with experienced Councillors as well as some new candidates who have experience in the City and want the opportunity to be mentored as they grow in their new roles as Councillors in the City.
Voting For Surrey First
On November 15th, you have the opportunity to vote for a better Surrey. It will be a daunting task when you look at the ballot and see three columns of names and parties to choose from. You will vote for one Mayor from a list of seven names. To fill eight Councillor positions, you will be presented with 35 choices!
Don’t be fooled by the names of those political slates that have chosen their names to mimic the “Surrey First” brand. I have put Surrey FIRST for the last 32 years as a firefighter, and now I’m asking you to vote for the Surrey First TEAM.
Keep Surrey FIRST as the best place in the world to raise a family.
Make Surrey the FIRST place to work and invest in.
Make Surrey the FIRST place to think of, when looking for world class sports facilities and arts and cultural events.
When you are at the polling station on November 15th, please remember to vote for Linda Hepner for Mayor, Mike Starchuk and the entire Surrey First Team for Surrey Council, and the Surrey First Education Team for Surrey School Trustees.
Thank you for your consideration!
Surrey First Door Knocking
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Today, folks from all over Surrey gathered together, and then spread out to knock on doors… to support Surrey First, and remind Surrey voters:
“Look how far we’ve come… Imagine how far we can go!”
Volunteers, Surrey Fire Fighters, Councillors and Candidates all came together at various locations, for Surrey First.
Above is a photo of the Surrey First Team that assembled at ‘The Barge’ – the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Hall in Newton. Below is a photo from another location, with the Surrey First Candidates and volunteers ready to start door knocking for Super Sunday!
At the bottom of the post, are some other photos from the event, and from candidate Mike Starchuk, out door-knocking and engaging voters in Surrey.
On the left, above, are the door hanger brochures.
Today, Surrey First volunteers successfully reached out to thousands of households, asking them to allow us to continue the good work of the Surrey First Team… building a better Surrey!
Saturday, November 15th is Voting Day… make sure to have your say!
Find out more about Surrey First’s candidates and platform at SurreyFirst.ca
(Click on any of the images to open them in a pop-up viewer.)
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BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association Endorsement
In May 2014, at the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ convention, over 175 delegates from 41 BC Fire Fighter Union Locals, bestowed Mike Starchuk with an Honourary Membership to the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA).
This honour was in recognition of his years of selfless work on behalf of his fellow fire fighters throughout the Province of British Columbia and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Starchuk has worked tirelessly in assisting fire fighters with resolving work related injuries and in improving and maintaining their overall health and wellness. Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association President Mike McNamara stated, “Mike has been their anchor with his work and support of firefighters and their families, when they needed it most.”
You can read more about Mike’s selfless work on behalf of BC Fire Fighters, his community activism, and long history of volunteering and community involvement, here: https://surreyfirefighters.com/starchuk-bcpffa-honourary/
On November 3rd, Mike Starchuk and the Surrey First Team were honoured to be endorsed by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, because of their support for Fire Fighters, and public safety issues.
You can read the full text of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association endorsement of Mike and the Surrey First Team, here: BCPFFA endorsement
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(It should be noted that this endorsement is in addition to the previously given endorsement by the Surrey Fire Fighters – Local 1271, of Mike Starchuk and current Surrey First City Council members)
