City of Surrey – Mike Starchuk Candidate Interview

The City of Surrey interviewed and made videos with each candidate. Here is my candidate interview:

My plan for Surrey:

The issues that motivated me to get involved are the following:

  • Our seniors’ programs
  • Recovery houses
  • Secondary suites and the associated problems

Seniors’ Programs:

I had sat on the Seniors Advisory and Accessibility Committee (SAAC) since February of 2013 as the Fire Department liaison. This group has provided forums across the city in different locations and presentations were made in different languages, that suit the different communities. These forums presented sessions that ranged from personal safety, fire safety, finance, wills and Senior’s abuse and neglect.

My goal is to ensure the positive results this committee produces continue as our senior population grows in the City. We need to ensure our seniors have access to resources to keep them active physically and socially.

Recovery Houses:

In the last 2 years the provincial government, specifically from the Ministry of Health, the Assisted Living Registry (ALR) office has become re-involved with recovery houses. Currently, for a recovery house operate in the City of Surrey the house must pass an inspection from the City of Surrey Fire Department and must be registered by the ALR.

There is only one person in the City of Surrey that has been inside all of the known recovery houses and I’m that person. I can tell you 60 to 70 percent of the recovery houses are not registered with the ALR. These are the homes the public is seeing in the news as recovery houses but in fact they are more related to boarding houses or as some reference them, “crack shacks.”

We need to create a dedicated team between the Fire Department and By-Laws that can work with the ALR and ensure these houses are fire safe and more importantly, safe for the community. We have the tools for enforcement; we need to have the people to use the tools.

Secondary Suites:

In the case of secondary suites, where it is not a rooming house, there needs to be a more consistent By-law developed and applied. Clayton Heights and the Janice Churchill areas are examples of how the By-laws were not enforced and/or silent in some areas.

With additional people living in a residential home there is a greater burden on the City’s infrastructure and services. Suites built without permit also contain potential safety problems that could lead to serious injury or death. We need to use our City’s agencies to ensure these suites are safe for the tenants.

My Background:

I have been a resident of the city for 50 years and have just concluded 32 years of service with the City of Surrey Fire Department, retiring July 31st of this year. Having raised two athletic children in the City and working with the City of Surrey Fire Department has given me a unique perspective on the needs of the people in the city.

Over the past year and a half, as the City’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer, I have worked with our RCMP, our building, planning and electrical departments (to name a few) at City Hall and our City of Surrey By-Laws. I have a keen understanding of how our City works and how the City interacts with the public and our businesses.

Working with the Fire Department and the Firefighters’ Union with our charitable society (as a founding Director) has given me first-hand knowledge of where the City’s most vulnerable are and what their needs are. I served for 18 years as a Tournament Director for the Variety Club Racquetball Tournament, raising funds for BC’s kids. I also served on the Board of Directors for Kennedy Surrey Little League (KSLL) during the time where they were three time Little League national champions. In 2013, because of my work with, and dedication to, the City of Surrey, I was honoured to be awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

My time spent with these various organizations, provided me with the opportunities to develop working relationships with all levels of government. I have worked with our MPs, our MLAs and our past and present City Councils as a member of the Surrey Fire Fighter’s Association. I have worked with WorkSafeBC and provided input that was considered and adopted with regards to cancer presumptions for our firefighters.

Elect Mike Starchuk to Surrey City Council - Mike Starchuk Surrey - MikeStarchuk.com

 

 

Response To Media Coverage On Thanksgiving Weekend

This past Thanksgiving long weekend, there was an event that caused some concern, started by a few politically motivated and misinformed citizens of Surrey. Complaints were made to City staff at a time when they should have been allowed to enjoy this long weekend with their families.

CKNW reported on the so-called controversy. They have a job to do with regards to covering issues and stories they feel their audience wish to hear. My intent, here, is to set the record straight for those who have heard about vintage fire trucks being used at one of my meet-and-greet events.

I want to start by sending my apologies to the City of Surrey Fire Chief for the calls he has had to answer. Never in my wildest imagination would I have believed some taxpayers would think the Fire Chief would allow on-duty staff, to be taken out of the staffing requirements, for political reasons. The public should feel confident that the Code of Conduct that holds all City Employees accountable, would not permit on-duty resources to be used in the way it was suggested they were being used, this past Saturday.

Mike Starchuk & Surrey voters at Guildford Town Centre meet & greetWith regards to the issue of anger that was raised by one of the callers – for the sixty minutes we were at the Guildford bus loop, I assure you, that most everyone who passed by, engaged congenially with the candidates and posed for pictures with the trucks. The pictures that are posted on my sites and Surrey First’s sites, show that those who were there, were engaged with the candidates and were happy to be there.

 

So…

The story isn’t about a few squeaky wheels.

The story is about the opportunity for voters to meet, interact with, and engage our candidates, who took time out of their busy schedules to be available.

The story is about the Fire Fighters who came out on their day off to set up and assist with the event on a long weekend.

The story is about members of the public who shared their thoughts, concerns, and personal stories about life in Surrey.

The story is about how the Fire Fighters’ Association rescued the vintage truck and trailer from the scrap yard and restored it at no cost to the City. This allowed those there on Saturday, to view this wonderfully-restored antique and have the opportunity to take a photo with a pretty special antique vehicle.

The story is about the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association supporting my efforts to be elected as Councillor in the upcoming election.

The story is about the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association supporting the elected Surrey First Councillors who have taken Fire Fighter staffing levels from bare bone minimums which were unsafe ten years ago, to today where Surrey Fire Services have proper staffing levels and can function in a faster and safer way.

The REAL story is about Surrey First’s ongoing efforts to put the safety of Surrey Firefighters, and the public they serve, in a far better and safer position, than ever before.

Vera LeFranc & a Surrey family at Guildford Town Centre meet & greet

Who Is Mike Starchuk

My family moved from Vancouver to Surrey before I began school and settled into a small rancher on a gravel road in Newton. I attended public school at FD Sinclair, Bear Creek and Newton Elementary, before going to William Beagle Junior Secondary and Princess Margaret Senior Secondary. I attended a “temporary” campus of Douglas College that was located in the 9200 block of 140th Street, after leaving high school.

Athletics played a large part in my youth with time spent in community organizations as well as school athletics. I played some football with North Surrey Minor Football and baseball with Newton, Kennedy Surrey, North Delta and Whalley. A great deal of time was spent later on playing racquetball in the (then) two racquet clubs (Surrey Racquet Centre and Pacific Coast Racquet Centre) that were located in the City at the time. As well, tennis on the City’s courts and golf on the courses in Surrey.

Mike Starchuk - Surrey City Council - MikeStarchuk.comWhen I lived at home on the West side of King George Highway, my neighbour, Ken Field, who lived across the street, was a Captain with the Surrey Fire Department and would often talk about his job and the satisfaction of serving the public. The talks became longer and more frequent as I was extremely interested in this profession. And – at the same time – it gave me the opportunity to “run into” his oldest daughter. Yes, the daughter that would eventually marry me and share our 32 year journey.

After moving out of the parent’s house, I moved to the Guildford area where I settled into my first apartment. At that time (September 1980), I began as a Paid on Call volunteer firefighter at the fire hall on the corner of 108th Avenue and 146th Street. That is where I got the “taste” of what it was like to serve the community. Unfortunately, by the time my pager would go off and I would leave the apartment, drive through a long and winding parking lot and travel to this fire hall, the fire trucks would be gone. Standbys, while they served a purpose, were not what I was looking for, so back to Newton, and closer to the fire hall, I went.

Mid May of 1982, I started my professional career with the Surrey Fire Department. I was twenty-three years old, full of energy, and had no idea where this path would lead me. A few months later, after finishing my training period, I married the “gal” across the street and we settled into a new location on the corner of 70A and 135th Street. A year later we would finally own our own house on the same street we both grew up on – 81st Avenue – one block off King George Highway.

Two kids started to run around that place and were enrolled in the same Elementary school we went to. The street had changed and was no longer the place to play ball hockey or bounce a ball. We moved to the east side of King George Highway where the kids would be able to play in a cul de sac and walk to their elementary and high schools.

Once we were settled in this new location, I was able to become more involved with the events of the Fire Fighters’ Association and with our children`s activities. They were both heavily involved with school sports and activities along with community sporting organizations. As they grew with their organizations, I grew with them. I participated on the Board of Directors in Kennedy Surrey Little League during a time where that league produced 3 national Little League championships. At the same time, I was the “stats guy” on one of the Surrey Storm girls’ fastball team, that also achieved national championship status.

Mike Starchuk - with the other Variety Club Raquetball Tournament Organizers - 1997While I was participating in the kid’s athletic endeavours, I began to build the relationships with the School Board, Parks and Recreation, and the local media to promote our events. At the same time, I began to get more involved as a firefighter in the community and began to develop relationships with other community organizations. I began to volunteer time with two charitable organizations that were dear to my heart. The Variety Club of BC and the newly created Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society.

I got involved with Variety Club prior to the creation of the Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society, which allowed me to bring ideas to both groups to make them both more influential and affective. I served on the Annual Variety Club Racquetball Tournament Committee for 18 years. We went from raising $10,000 over a two-day event to raising $35,000 in just one day. I cannot tell you how gratifying and rewarding that was.

During this time of my life, my now father in-law had been diagnosed with cancer, which he eventually beat. However, the issue of cancer and how it related to firefighters had become a focus in my life. I stepped up and took on another role within our Association, to look at the health and safety aspects of our firefighters. It wasn`t a question to me of WHY we were being diagnosed with cancer, it was a question of HOW could we prevent it?

That led me to new roles within the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association which, in turn, provided further health and safety opportunities with the BC Professional Fire Fighter Association (BCPFFA). I was in the position to build relationships with the people who created policy and processes for firefighters who were diagnosed with cancer. As an organization (BCPFFA), we lobbied the government for legislation to protect the families of those firefighters who were diagnosed with the cancers that were directly associated with the “job” of firefighting. This relieved the families of the arduous process of filing a WCB claim, so they could concentrate on the healing and treatment process. I am proud to still be a part of this organization, and was presented with an Honourary Membership to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association this past May.

Mike Starchuk & Surrey Fire Fighters - engaging voters and talking about transit options, at the Newton Exchange in Surrey - MikeStarchuk.comAt the end of my career with the Fire Department, I was in the position of Chief Fire Prevention Officer (CFPO), which had me working with our City Hall Departments, the business community and those building and developing new projects in the City. In this role I was responsible for ensuring the buildings our firefighters were entering were safe for them and those who occupied them. We had to ensure that those new buildings were compliant with Building Code and Fire Code provisions. I was also in the position to look at some of the residential home issues, specifically the issues surrounding illegal suites and residential recovery homes.

The contacts and relationships I have build over the past 18 months, while working in the CFPO position, have provided me with additional insight as to the needs of those living and working in the city. The issues that came up on a monthly basis, that I felt I had solutions with merit, were not finding sustainable resolutions. I saw solutions that could not get to the proper forum for those in the City to take action. I saw the need to step away, retire early from the Fire Department and pursue a different avenue to affect change.

Back to the beginning – Who is Mike Starchuk? I am a person who has spent nearly his entire life, living in Surrey, pursuing a career of public service to those who need assistance in Surrey and other areas of BC. I am an advocate for those less fortunate in Surrey and an Advocate for injured Workers. I understand the need for economic growth in order to sustain the needs of those in Surrey in the future. I have built relationships with those people – and the organizations and affiliations that can assist those people who require it. I can identify problems and successes. I can provide solutions to mend the issues that exist in Surrey, and provide solutions to maintain and grow the things that Surrey is doing right.

Next post…Where Am I Going?

Giving Thanks

With 35 days before the Municipal election, November 15th, I’d like to take a moment and thank ALL of you who are assisting me and my TEAM, with OUR election campaign.

There are many parts to a good team and I have the “best parts” helping me along the way. Whether it is canvassing, calling, posting, liking, re-tweeting, writing, packaging, building, erecting signs or just showing up… I’m thankful for all of your assistance and words of encouragement.

Focusing on the end goal is much easier when OUR volunteers in the campaign are as helpful as you all are, and I appreciate this greatly.

Thank you, and enjoy the Thanksgiving long weekend!

(Below are a few pictures from today’s voter meet & greet at Guildford Town Centre with Mike & Vera LeFranc, as well as a few from Newton Athletic Park.  Click on any image to open them in a pop-up viewer.)

Mike Starchuk, Vera LeFranc & Surrey Fire Fighter supporters, at Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Mike Starchuk & Vera LeFranc - Voter meet & greet at Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Voter meet & greet at Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Vera LeFranc & a Surrey family at Guildford Town Centre meet & greet
Mike Starchuk & Surrey voters at Guildford Town Centre meet & greet Mike Starchuk & Vera LeFranc at a voter engagement opportunity at Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Mike Starchuk, Vera LeFranc, and two sharp-dressed men, at a Voter meet & greet at Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Vera LeFranc, engaging a voter, at a voter meet and greet at Guildford Town Centre, Surrey
Mike Starchuk and Surrey Fire Fighter supporters Mike Starchuk, Vera LeFranc, Surrey Fire Fighters & Supporters Team Starchuk - Moving the goal at Newton Athletic Park, Surrey Mike Starchuk and a few of his support team, at Newton Athletic Park, Surrey
Mike Starchuk - Surrey Firefighters standing strong & supporting Mike Starchuk 2014 - MikeStarchuk.com Elect Mike Starchuk to Surrey City Council - Mike Starchuk Surrey - MikeStarchuk.com

Light Up Purple On World Mental Health Day

2nd Annual Light Up The World Purple - World Mental Health Day - Amanda Todd Legacy Society - Join the discussion - MikeStarchuk.comThis week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and Friday, October 10th is World Mental Health Day. It is also the 2nd Annual “Light Up The World Purple” day to recognize the importance of mental health wellness and the de-stigmatization of the issues that surround mental illness.

Wikipedia says over 25% of people ages 18 and older – about one in four adults – suffer from a diagnosable mental health issue in any given year. The stigma surrounding mental illness is a major barrier that prevents many people from seeking the mental health treatment they need.

Amanda Todd

Amanda Todd was a teen in Port Coquitlam, BC, who, after many years of bullying and cyber-abuse, on October 10, 2012, lost her battle against depression and the mental health issues that beset her. For Amanda, and others like her, the online harassment and bullying can greatly contribute to spiraling decline into hopelessness with dire consequences. The feeling of isolation that these victims face is overwhelming, but as the statistics above bear out, they are by no means alone.

2nd Annual Light Up The World Purple - World Mental Health Day - Amanda Todd Legacy Society - Join the discussion - MikeStarchuk.com

Light Up Purple

In honour of Amanda Todd – and in acknowledgement of all those who face this adversity every day – on World Mental Health Day, we are “Lighting Up Purple”. On Friday, my website background and Social Media avatars will be purple, and I’ll be tweeting the hashtag #LightUpPurple.

Please join me in showing your support and bringing attention to mental health, its major effects on peoples’ lives worldwide. Join the discussion, and help remove the stigma from receiving and discussing mental health care.

For more information on Amanda’s story and to find out ways that YOU can “Stay Strong”, please visit: AmandaToddLegacy.org/

Follow Carol Todd (Amanda’s Mom) on Twitter, at @C_Todd

Follow the Amanda Todd Legacy Society on Twitter, at @AToddLegacy

There is also great information against cyber-bullying on Twitter, at @SSCyberbullying

In Surrey, you can find contact information for the Fraser Health Services.

 

 2nd Annual Light Up The World Purple - World Mental Health Day - Amanda Todd Legacy Society - Join the discussion - MikeStarchuk.com

 

How Did I Get Here?

As a resident of Surrey for the past 50 years, I have come to know the landscape of the City as someone who lives, works and plays in the City. I have seen the landscape change from a rural setting to the urban setting we have today. We have gone from a small town municipality to a vibrant City, full of parks and recreational facilities, to suit the needs of all those living here.

Mike Starchuk - Surrey Now - July 2009 - Photo of Mike Starchuk ©Sharon Doucette - 'I Love Surrey' feature article - Red Powell Award - croppedAs a firefighter with the City of Surrey Fire Services, I have been exposed to many aspects of the community which have led me to where I am today. I started as a Paid on Call firefighter in September of 1980 and was hired as a full time firefighter in May of 1982. I retired the end of July this year, leaving the fire service as the Chief Fire Prevention Officer (CFPO). During my career, I was active with the Surrey Fire Fighter’s Association and took a keen interest in the health and wellness of firefighters in Surrey and throughout the Province. I was one of the founding members of our Charitable Foundation, where we were able to make a difference for those in need in Surrey. I was exposed to the politicians who could assist me, and our organization during my time as a firefighter.

Near the end of my career with the Fire Department, I held the position of CFPO, which had me working with our City Hall departments, the business community and those building and developing new projects in the City. It was during this point of my career where I began to identify areas that I believed, needed to be addressed. This was the tipping point which began my pursuit of a different leadership role where I could see my thoughts and ideas heard.

In August of 2013, I had decided to explore the opportunities available to me to determine what would be the best route for me to take. I spoke to those who were involved with provincial and municipal politics (both current and past) regarding their involvement and the commitments they had made. I spoke with our firefighters in Surrey and those elsewhere in Canada and the US who had been elected to public service. Lastly and more importantly, I spoke with my family and received their complete support with the decision I would reach.

Historically, Surrey’s elected officials, at times, worked independent of each other, and at times, worked as cohesive groups. During my research, I was reminded of some of the fractured councils we had ten or more years ago, where little was getting done and when things were getting done, they were taking far too long. How can we forget the times when Mayor Watts and Councillor Villeneuve were excluded from portfolios and committees just because of the exclusive nature of some of those on Council? The decision became clear to me that Surrey deserved to be represented by people who reflect the issues of the electorate rather than their own personal agendas and ideas.

I had originally intended on creating a “pros and cons” list to use when looking at all of the factors in making my decision to run as an independent, or making an attempt to gain a spot with the Surrey First team. When it came time to utilize these lists, the decision was clear and simple. The Surrey First team had a very diverse group of thinkers, who worked as a team with similar visions and goals, to those who live in the City. This is where I wanted to get my thoughts and ideas heard. This is the team I wanted to be a part of.

The team approach is something that a firefighter relies on. In the case of a large scale incident, you have a person in charge (Incident Commander) who comes up with a game plan with those other officers there and then assigns those Officers’ tasks to get the “job” done. Surrey First’s team functions in the same manner. The person in charge is the Mayor who consults with the other Councillors and they develop a plan and then assign tasks and roles to get that “job” done. While working with the Surrey First team as a member of the Surrey Fire Fighters Association, I witnessed firsthand the impact of having a Council who understand our needs, goals and vision. With all of the above taken into account, I reached out to Surrey First and put my name forward for consideration by the team.

I met with some of the Surrey First team in late 2013 and early 2014 and provided some of my background information regarding my knowledge, skills and the abilities I would bring to the Surrey First team and to the citizens of Surrey. I emphasized that the issues I brought forward in discussion, were based on my first-hand experiences with direct contact to these issues. When I speak to the social issues, the criminal issues and the growth and development issues, it’s all based on my personal interactions with those most affected.

When I met with the Surrey First group in April, I came prepared to let them know how much I had to offer and how much I wanted to be a part of this team. The team was well briefed on the issues that I was passionate about, from our previous meetings, and I was brought onto the team at that point.

With this step completed, I wanted to fully focus on getting my message, and the team’s message, communicated to those in Surrey. In order to best do this, I decided to leave the Fire Service earlier than planned, to ensure I was compliant with the Local Government Act, the City’s Code of Conduct and the terms of my Collective Agreement.

With all of the regulatory matters taken care of, I can now focus on building my name in a more prominent and public manner. My early retirement from the Fire Department did not come without some anxious moments. Despite some of those reservations to leave early, the opportunity as it presented itself, and the possibilities to engage new ideas in a different forum, gives me comfort that this is the right time to “change gears” and focus on a new endeavour.Elect Mike Starchuk for City Councillor, in Surrey, BC