I have spent many hours going through the DNV Council candidates' websites, answers to questions by FONVCA, and have attended
all-candidates meetings. They are all saying the same things. The incumbents are talking about affordable housing, homelessness, and
green sustainability... but when they voted...they voted against the issues they are now so adamant that they stand for.
Examples:
1) Couns. Nixon, Little, and Hicks voted in favour of the Whiteley Court project (Branches) and evicted 46 low income families in favour of
"market housing." The public hearing regarding this development was well attended and more residents spoke against it than for it,
however it was approved.
2) Couns. MacKay-Dunn spoke in favour of the Hynes Development which will only introduce more (over 1000) automobiles a day into an
already congested area and produce more traffic and pollution.
3) They all talk about "sustainability" however not one incumbent has done anything about it. All re-zoning (higher density)
applications have been approved over the last three years despite public meetings being fully attended and against them.
4) Current Council voted against the BC Rail Lands re-development to form a bus depot (barn). Couns. Nixon recused himself because of
conflict. Therefore we are let down regarding public transportation and all the incumbents are blaming this on senior levels of government.
5) Current Council has "allowed" the recreation facilities to deteriorate. Most especially Couns. MacKay-Dunn and Couns. Muri. Where
were they when the rec commission requested funding from the DNV? It was paid by the CNV, but the DNV denied their requisite funding.
It takes years to deteriorate, not even one term of office. Now they want to sell off our precious district assets...at the expense of seniors
and low income people. If the rec facilities are privatised the hours will go down and the services will go down, and the prices will go up.
I could go on and on, however these are the main issues.
DNV Council Hypocrisy.
90 opinions/comments:
I was at District Hall last night when the Seylynn Village recommendations were approved unamously by our DNV Council.
What a ridiculous shot in the head to DNV taxpayers.
Where was the advertising regarding this issue? There will be 1000s of more cars moving in and out of the "freeway" just this side of the Second Narrows Bridge when this so-called green project comes to fruition.
Well that certainly puts them in their place, at least from one person's point of view.
The late and former DNV councillor for 25 years Ernie Crist, who I admired used to similarly criticize DNV council of the day, many of who are still elected.
I was one of those who spoke against Whitely Court demolition and spoke in favour of a Bus Barn. I have spoken against the Hynes Development as set out. In my opinion on the above issues DNV council has talked the talk but, when it comes to the walk it has been down the road with the developer and not the community.
Thank you John.
I just don't quite get it that developers can come into a conmunity, make money, and then leave...with incredible costs to the municipality...
Wendy, you're always complaining about not being serviced well enough for your tax dollars. If new developments aren't built, what do you think will happen? Your taxes will increase, or your services will be reduced even further. I get the sense that you'll never be happy with any development. It could be LEED Platinum and car-free and you'd still find something to complain about. Do you ever have anything positive to say about your community? If you dislike it so, why don't you move to gated community?
The recreation centres are going to be privatized? What's this about?
If you have any REAL issue with Branches on Whiteley Court it's that the legal framework was there for them to demolish the building with NO provision for any rental provision in the new building.
I don't like what we got any more than you do but the developers did more than they were legally required to do on the rental side.
Put it down to "making the best of a bad deal" and save your wrath for those who made it legally possible to let a building run down and then be called 'decrepit' with demolition and redevelopment following. They're the true villains here - far more so than the developers who took advantage of the law as it stood to make a buck.
Direct your wrath to the right place and not the 2005-2008 Council who the developer had over a barrel legally. (I personally am of the view that the Councils of the previous decade had lots of opportunity to avoid the travesty that played out on Whiteley Court)
Just because someone is elected, Wendy, it does not always mean that they have leadership ability.
1) The Whitely Court developement was the first purpose built rental housing created in the District in 18 years, you say 'not enough', granted, but I say 'more than anyone else'. Well done council.
2) The housing agencies and environmental groups came out and vocally praised the Hynes project.
The council did the right thing. The vehicles aren't magically created, they are already in the Vancouver area but they will have a shorter commute and more transportation options from the Hynes project. Net decrease in pollution.
3) You say that "all re-zoning applications have been approved over the last three years" that's simply not true. Some were withdrawn before they were brought to public hearing because the council was polled and the developer saw the writing on the wall. Two insisted on coming forward despite the warnings and were denied. Both of those projects were overhauled and subsequently passed after the changes.
4) The 'Bus Barn' is a non-starter since Translink didn't and still doesn't have the money to do it. Let alone the fact that service levels are determined by ridership (or potential ridership) not by depot location.
5) Regarding the Rec split, I suspect there is some confusion about the Capital Maintenance vs Capital Replacement. Maintenance is split between the municipalities, but replacement, as in the Harry Jerome project, is carried by the municipalty that owns the facility.
I just don't get it. Why on earth would DNV Council approve such a project right in the road of the Second Narrows Ironworkers' crossing. This is already a problem. Why exacerbate it? Cars moving in and out of the "freeway" is ludicrous.
DNV Council is as stupid about this as they were about the bus depot that we didn't get.
Note the Press about what we are getting from TransLink!!!!!
The location is pretty good, not ideal. But I think you are unfamiliar with the traffic pattern in the area. When a person drives eastbound on Fern St. from the Seymour area there is obviously back up leading to the Hwy 1 exit, but as soon as you pass it there is rarely more than a couple of cars in either direction. This is the block that the project is in. I admit the afternoon traffic heading West on Keith has become problematic at times, but presumably, the traffic originating at, or destined for, the Hynes development would mostly take other routes. (Afternoon trips originating at Hynes would be ahead of that line up, and Trips destined for Hynes would be split mostly coming from over the bridge or Seymour, and some from Main Street.)
I am not really concerned about the ongoing traffic impact of the Hynes development as I see it to be small and completely within the capacity of the roads in the area. I am still concerned with the traffic concerns while the construction is being phased in. I hope the council has pressured Hynes to deliver the extra Mountain Hwy lane prior to being permitted to close either of the other lanes.
"Old News...Nothing has been accomplished"
It sounds like a lot has been acomplished... just not your priorities. Why don't you man up and run in the next election?
Anon 10:44 AM,
4) Current Council voted against the BC Rail Lands re-development to form a bus depot (barn). Couns. Nixon recused himself because of
conflict. Therefore we are let down regarding public transportation and all the incumbents are blaming this on senior levels of government.
The above is correct as I remember it. It has little to do with Translink not having the money. The Barn was turned down by council because Mr. Nixon who was said to be in favour of the Barn, abstained causing the council to tip the scales against it.
The Norgate lobby was strongly against the location of the Bus Barn as well.
It is all water under the bridge but, it shows a lack of political will and some degree of dysfunction.
TL did have the money in place, and did until last fiscal year have the money in place to build a new depot. The current budget situation has since taken that contingency funding elsewhere.
Anon, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 3:47:00 PM - I don't think you can tell east from west as to my way of thinking, your two descriptions on the direction of traffic is reversed.
There's probably a history here, but why isn't there a ramp onto the highway at the end of Kieth Road?
It looks as if it would a pretty simple thing to design and build.
Where the Ministry of Transportation is concerned, nothing is simple.
Barry,
There WAS a ramp onto the highway from the end of Keith road. The Ministry of Highways cloed it I believe for safety reasons. Too many motorists used it as a local shortcut when it was only supposed to be an on/off ramp. It caused toom any accidents.
Lyle Craver is the expert on this specific event. Lyle? Care to chime in.
Well one accident is too many but yes it was the Highways department that closed the Keith Road on ramp at the advice of the local RCMP.
The use of Fern Street was SUPPOSED to be a temporary measure while something more permanent was worked out but the community did not keep the heat on and 'temporary' became more than 10 years.
I >REALLY< hate what the use of Fern Street in this way has done to an area that was supposed to be single family (as stated in the Local Area Plan) though I think the Hynes proposal is a good replacement under the circumstances. However District residents STILL need something better than Fern Street to access the Upper Levels Highway.
I hold the provincial government primarily responsible for this fiasco - they're the chief villain in this scenario though our local politicians deserve some blame for failing to keep their feet to the fire.
That local residents can be forced out of their neighborhood due to a "temporary" measure that destroys their area's livability is contemptible.
At this point it's Jane Thornthwaite's problem as I have told her repeatedly. I can guarantee this would NOT have been allowed to happen in Surrey-Cloverdale!
I noticed at the DNV Council meeting that Stevenson, a former Green Party candidate, who has jumped the hoop and is now a Liberal, was sitting next to an idiot who I argued with, regarding the Hynes development project.
Very interesting.
Interesting? Why? Just because you think someone is an idiot doesn't mean the whole world concurs. Perhaps they were just having a civil conversation about something in which they were both interested.....? Talk about witch hunting.
The entrance to the highway at Keith Road was also used as a short-cut to cross the freeway despite the fact that there was a sign that told people heading east (that is to Cap College or Mt. Seymour Parkway) to use Mountain Mountain Highway then left on Fern to reach their destination. So there was three times as much traffic using the ramp and two- thirds of it just took the on-ramp and then headed 50 metres to the off-ramp and then crossed over the Freeway. When they closed the on-ramp, the effect was to divert ALL the traffic to Fern Street, not just that destined eastward. Yes, it was supposed to be temporary, but to fix it would have meant a completely different configuration, and no one, it seems, had the motivation or dollars to do it. If they can do the fly-over, and join the western section of Keith Road with the end of Mount Seymour Parkway, the situation would be resolved (at significant cost, however). Another solution is to build an overpass at the end of Crown Street over the freeway taking traffic behind the Superstore, and connecting with Riverside, but residents on Crown, and those who live on the small bit of Indian reservation on the west side of the freeway might not be too thrilled.
WQ Said, "I noticed at the DNV Council meeting that Stevenson...was sitting next to an idiot who I argued with, regarding the Hynes development project."
Wendy, why the name calling? Just because you have a differing view? You do this a lot. Anybody who has a differing view gets called names. Please leave the school yard behavior in the school yard and behave like an adult!
That's a good question. I saw Stephenson and thought it was him but wasn't sure.
That particular meeting started with the chamber fairly full.
Cathy Adams gave a presentation on Lower Capilano and when she was done the right side of the chamber emptied.
Then Council voted adoption on the Seylynn project and the other side of the chamber emptied.
It would be an exaggeration but not by much to say that more time was spent emptying the chamber than doing the public business.
With the greatest of respect to Cathy who gave a good presentation, it was not a weighty Council agenda and I was not at all surprised when the meeting finished around 7:30 pm!
I just wonder why Stephenson, who jumped from the Greens directly into the REDS was sitting, and made a point of it, by the guy who argued with me about the Hynes Development public process.
I have sent the following letter to the North Shore Outlook:
I write in response to Daniel Pi's excellent article regarding the final approval of the Hynes Development Project [Seylynn Village].
This is a brilliant project and Mr. Hynes has done an excellent job, however, I think this is simply the WRONG place! Just this side of the Ironworkers' Memorial Second Narrows crossing.....what? This is already a traffic bottleneck and introducing 1000+ cars a day in and out of the main highway is ridiculous. Where are our municipal politicians going here? Their prime directive should be to promote "livability" in our community. This will only produce more traffic gridlock and pollution. Shame on DNV Council for not looking after the people who live here now and again approving a project that will only make the developer mega bucks at the expense of the people who live here now.
I also question the "70 units that have been dedicated for affordable housing." That will not materialize. It will be market housing.
....and those who live on the small bit of Indian reservation on the west side of the freeway might not be too thrilled.
Maybe those folk could take a page from New Westminster, where a needed overpass was built with private money, and it's facades were then used as support for billboards.
Hey - if we're gonna have 'em, may as well cluster them and get some benefit for the public...
Wendy, I do not get why you are so sure this is the "Wrong Place" for this project. The area in question is very much in need of some help and upgrades. Have you taken the time to talk to any of the people that live in the area? The ones I have talked to are very much looking forward to this project. Can't happen fast enough for many of the homeowners. The ones I have talked to are very sure this project will bring "Livablility" to their area something they have been missing for many years.
She'll tell you it'll cause gridlock (that means there might be a few more cars on the road making it take her a millisecond longer to negotiate a turn), despite traffic studies that say otherwise. Fact is, she's the worst kind of NIMBY going - opposed to any kind of development regardless of how well received by the public or council.
The late great Ernie Crist told me that all traffic studies done by the DNV were by the same company and all reports said that there would be no negative impact to the community whatever development was built. Give me a break!!!
Wendy you need to actually go down there and walk the streets and talk to everyone not just the NIMBY folks who seek you out for support. Would not suprise me if some who have contacted you are the ones who decided years ago to save themselves a whole lot of money and time and not bother to do any up keep on their homes. There is a whole lot of those in the neighbourhood. Some may also be elderly who want to live out their last years in the home they have which is understandable but not a good reason to take a whole neighbourhood down with them.
I would suggest you go and talk to the young couple who are doing the big reno on Rupert st. Ask them if they think the Seylynn proposal is "idiosy". I suspect as they are putting every cent they have into updating what was an old unlivable home they will tell you they are doing it because they believe the project will go through. If they did not they would do nothing just as the previous owners did & what so many others on that street are doing now. Sad situation and one that needs to be fixed fast or the neighbourhood will go even further down hill if that is possible.
As far as your commments on the traffic studies goes you appear to be lacking in first hand knowledge in this regard so may I suggest you head down to the hall and start reading. In hindsight I think you will find that your comments are totally "idiosy"!
Wendy you asked why they would "approve such a project right in the road of the Second Narrows Ironworkers' crossing"?
The simple answer is the fact that they can not sit back and do nothing while the land/homeowners in that area have been paying taxes for years and gotten nothing in return - basically they have been left to just rot in place!
Housing projects are built by highways and bridges all the time. If done right they can be very nice. The fact is that such projects often turn out to be purchased by young first time buyers. If you have not noticed we are lacking affordable areas for young families to buy their first home in. We need young familes to stay on the NS to support all us old folks. LOL The reason the property there is more affordable than other areas in the NS is because it is beside a highway and bridge.
Would you be happier if a developer came along and said he will buy out everyone and take down everything and build another shopping center?
Perhaps your time would be better spent making suggestings as to what changes you think should be made to the proposed project that would make it better. Please don't go on about low rent housing - no one wants to hear it because the project will not happen if forced down that road and you will have once again let the neighbourhood to rot!
If all the traffic studies say that there will be no impact on neighbourhoods why is the Dist. putting in traffic calming all over the place?
"The current Mayor and Councillors DO NOT respond to their emails."
Feel free to CC us on any of the e-mails you send to them. Have you sent any recently?
Anon Monday, October 26, 2009 3:12:00 PM, where is the traffic calming in the area being discussed and what has it to do with providing access to and from the highway? Also, traffic calming is generally put in place because of drivers who are in too big of a hurry to obey speed limits and yield to pedestrians. That is, they force drivers to obey the rules. If drivers were responsible, the traffic calming would not be necessary.
Folks, it's time to just realize that Wendy will not be happy with any type of development. She is the worst kind of NIMBY, the sort who thinks that now that she lives here nobody else should dare interfere with her beloved community. It's ironic that I say beloved, I know, because she never has anything positive to say about the community in which she lives. She complains for the sake of complaining. It's a hobby of hers that has grown quite tiresome to many of us.
Wendy, what are your credentials that allow you to be an authority on traffic and development? Please share them with the rest of us!
What exactly are your credentails?
Anon 4:04 My comment re taffic calming was general and not directed at this project. It was in regards to Wendy's statement that all traffic studies come out the same way.
I do know thought that on this project they are going to try and increase alternative means of getting around. Improving pedestrain & bike routes - such as new well light pathways to the Phibbs Exchange which no one walks on at night time now due to how scary the area is. So few use the bus at night now. As I understand it they are also planning on putting in new walk ways through to Park & Tilford & one to Lynn Creek. A greenway from Oxford to Fern.
By increasing the zoning east of Mountain Hwy they would be adding people to the area which which should help keep the school open & IMHO will make the area feel a lot safer than it does now.
I am sorry but I am really struggling with why anyone who is thinking long term would be against this project. As others have said this area is decaying fast and many of the owners are caught in the middle of it. Few have spent any money on their homes up keep as they have knwon for years that some sort of change is coming to the area so any improvements they make will be lost money when the bulldozer moves in. It will be years before it changes even if this project was approved tomorrow so they may see things get worse before it gets better.
Ernie Crist, who was on Council for 25 years, told me that all traffic studies were in favour of the developments. 100%. Guess what...all municipal planning departments are in favour of planning! It is their business.
Start thinking for yourself Wendy and stop dragging the name of a dead man into all of your arguments. Again, I'll ask you. What are your credentials that allow you to be such an authority on traffic and development? Explain how this development is a bad thing, especially for the residents who currently live there. There have been a lot of questions put to you in the last several entries, how about you start answering them?
There are also a lot of comments about homeowners letting their properties rot. In the Seylynn area itself, all the properties, with the exception of the little grocery store, are owned by Stephen Hynes with renters in place until construction begins. The area to the south of the Seylynn project is actually going through a bit of a rejuvenation with one new home being built and others being spruced up a bit. The Seylynn project is giving a much needed shot in the arm to the area, and whether or not you think that traffic will be worse (how could it???), the area will definitely be improved. Quit bitching, Wendy, and get with the program.
What'll she have to say once she hears about Riverside Terrace?
In September of 2006, W. Qureshi posted on this blog:
"The corner of 27th Street and & Whiteley Court to Lynn Valley Road is already a traffic flashpoint and adding approximately 300 new parking stalls will certainly do nothing to enhance the livability in Lynn Valley."
Can anyone comment on whether this traffic flashpoint has suffered as a result of the occupancy of the Whiteley Court development?
Was the traffic consultant for the project correct that the existing road system would be able to absorb the traffic created by the new residents?
Anon. 5:23
I can comment. I have trouble navigating around Lynn Valley, especially this intersection, among others, during the few times I drive my car every month.
I live on Draycott Road, 1/2 block south of Lynn Valley and Mountain Highway intersection. I cannot turn left anymore onto Lynn Valley Road. I have to turn right and make my way back.
27th St. and Lynn Valley Road, right near the Branches (Whiteley Court) project is not much better. People on 27th cannot turn left either if it is high traffic congestion.
As far as me using Ernie's name in some of my comments I feel comfortable doing that. If you don't that is your problem.
Ernie Crist told me that the 25 years he was on DNV Council the "traffic consultants" NEVER ONCE said that the new development (densification) could not handle the new traffic patterns. Yet, time after time, a "traffic calming" mechanism was implemented shortly after the development was completed.
By the way, the same "traffic consultant" was hired over the 25 years on our dime and we ended up paying for it in both $$ and aggravation and pollution!
Wendy, I drive through the area regularly and there is no problem with the traffic. I've turned left from the very intersection you claim to be incapable of negotiating. The traffic is light and very easy to negotiate. I'd suggest that you are making a lot of noise where none is warranted. What pollution are you talking about? In the last 10 years cars have become better built and are more environmentally friendly. I'd venture to say that the air quality we experience today, even with more vehicles, is far better than it was 10 years ago with fewer cars on the road. Your arguments are hollow and smack of someone who hasn't done her research.
Additionally, any traffic studies conducted regarding development proposals would be paid for by the developer, not the District.
I have yet to see gridlock in on the North Shore (other than the few times both bridges have been shut down, but that's a different discussion). The traffic has never been as bad as you report it to be. Perhaps you should save yourself from any future aggravation and give up your car.
You are simply incorrect. I suggest you drive out of my driveway at 1385 Draycott Road and try turn left at any time during any day.
By intimating that the traffic studies are paid for by the developer you are simply adding insult to injury.
You obviously have little or no intelligence so please stay off my post or I will delete you. That is precisely what your political buddies are doing by maligning my understanding of DNV politics. I know more about DNV politics than you have ever contemplated.
Wendy "By intimating that the traffic studies are paid for by the developer you are simply adding insult to injury."
"You obviously have little or no intelligence so please stay off my post or I will delete you."
Barry where the heck are you? How far are you going to let this party go. Its appears you have given someone far to much power!
As far as the traffic study issue goes it has also been my understanding that when it comes to new projects the developer in most cases pays for a traffic study. Humm. And yes Wendy I have read a lot of them over the years as transportation just happens to be my area of intreast. How many have you actually read & for what projects?
If I and the other party whos post you are threating to delete for saying we do not agree with you are wrong on this then please put forward some evidence that supports your position other than quoting a person who is dead & not able clairify what he actually said.
I've copied this thread in its entirety, so if Wendy does delete it and Barry would like to see it and take action against Wendy and her threats of censorship, I will gladly e-mail it to him.
Wendy, in my professional capacity I've put many projects through the permitting process in various municipalities. Where a traffic study is required, the financial burden is most always placed upon the developer. Now there may be an occasion where the municipality does initiate a study and pay the bill, but those are usually for reasons other than to support a private development. I too would like to see references pointing to where you are getting your information.
CM
Its pretty clear Wendy is not a member of the neighbourhood in question. If she was she would know that a great many of the home owners bailed out and sold to the developer as the area was not livable to them. The few that are left are the ones who need help as they are the heart & soul of the neighbourhood and will be key players in its rebuilding. As mentioned some of them have put great faith into this project going ahead and have started to spend their own cash on long over due improvements. The ones who have taken this great leap of faith are the heart beat of the community & will be the key players in how this will all turn out. It IMHO would be a real shame if council was to put much concideration into what someone living in Lynn Valley has to say about it all.
It is a nice spin you people are putting on my comments.
#1 I cannot turn left onto Lynn Valley Road out of the 1300 block Draycott right by the Garden Centre. This is a fact.
#2 As a poster on this blog I have every right to delete any comments that I deem to be unacceptable or off-topic. If you don't like this rule then post your own post.
#3 I have every right to use Ernie Crist as a reference in any of my comments. He was my best friend and mentor for 2 and a half years. I spent almost every day with him and we always talked politics. Our names are intrinsically linked in many published letters to the editor and he endorsed me for DNV Council in 2005.
#4 Ernie and I jointly took out full-page ads against the privatization of the rec commission and against further densification in Lynn Valley at the expense of the people who live here now.
............
Wendy, you do not have the right to delete comments that are counter to your own opinions. To do so is contrary to the spirit of debate and, I would suggest, the very spirit of this blog. That is censorship in its purest and most reprehensible form.
Your relationship to Ernie Crist doesn't seem to have any bearing on the hear & now nor the topic of this thread.
A number of people up thread have asked you some very valid questions that challenge your assertions. Are you going to be respectful and answer those questions?
I for one am waiting to see some answers to the very valid questions posed to you.
CM
CM
Write the questions and I will answer them to the best of my ability. # them please.
All I see is personal degredation.
The questions have been written. All you have to do is scroll up to read them. Don't be lazy. You've made assertions that people have taken the energy to respond to. You should extend them the courtesy of addressing their queries and counter arguments.
I see no personal degradation in anything written above. I see name-calling from you. From others, I see opinions counter to your own and attempts at debate. If you only wish to make statements and have no desire to support your statements, when challenged, I would respectfully suggest that you no longer make your statements on this public forum. If you'd care to debate fairly and openly, then go for it! Just be prepared to accept criticism and opposing views.
CM
CM, I have scrolled and I don't see any point-blank questions. Give them to me!
Recap of some of the questions to Wendy that I can see that she did not answer:
The recreation centres are going to be privatized? What's this about?
If new developments aren't built, what do you think will happen?
Would you be happier if a developer came along and said he will buy out everyone and take down everything and build another shopping center?
Why don't you man up and run in the next election?
Can anyone comment on whether this traffic flashpoint has suffered as a result of the occupancy of the Whiteley Court development?
Wendy, why the name calling? Just because you have a differing view?
Question #1 Re: Rec facilities.
You say: "What is this about?"
You obviously do not have a clue about North Shore politics. The District of North Vancouver has "allowed" the facilities to deteriorate. They never looked after them. If you have a house you look after it. They did not. Now they are whining for money.
I have a meeting to attend, I will address your other questions later.
Your second question about developments...As Ernie Crist used to say: "The whole world doesn't have to move to the District of North Vancouver at the expense of the people who live here now."
Developers come in, make their money, and leave.
We DNV taxpayers are left with the infrastructure costs...policing, traffic, etc. and they are much more than the taxes payed by the new residents. Get it!
"We DNV taxpayers are left with the infrastructure costs...policing, traffic, etc. and they are much more than the taxes payed by the new residents."
Wendy, please show us supporting documentation for this statement. Without it, this is nothing more than your opinion.
If you want to be taken seriously, you'll need to start supporting your statements with data. You started this topic, please don't insult our intelligence by assuming that we are going to buy what you're selling without references to documentation that support your assertions. And please don't tell us to look it up ourselves. You're the one making the assertions, so you provide the proof!
Actually Wendy as a daily user of the rec facilites I do in fact have a clue as to the state of them! As an active member of a number of district panels I also have a clue as to the NS politics. As stated by others you put this out there so please try and hold back on your sill remarks and answer the question regarding rec facilities being privatized.
Really have to wonder how in the world Barry thin ks that byallowing this low level type of debate makes for a good blog?
It is exactly what happened in Lynn Valley....let your property deteriorate and then use that as an excuse to have it re-developed. I have had many letters to the editor published on this issue...in the Vancouver Sun, The Vancouver Province, The Georgia Strait, the North Shore News, and the North Shore Outlook.
The Municipalities in question have what is called "upkeep of premises" bylaws. These are being ignored.
Question #3
I will "woman up" and I will be running for DNV Councillor in 2011. Many long-term Ernie Crist supporters are on my side. We are having meetings and strategizing. Two years to go and lots of time.
Wendy, now you're deleting your own posts where you call valid questions inane? You can delete valid comments all you like and they will be reposted.
Here are the deleted posts (including your own 'inane' quip):
 Wendy Qureshi said...
The rest of your questions are inane and I have no comment.
Saturday, October 31, 2009 6:38:00 PM
 Anonymous said...
Ah, so now you're censoring. If you can't take a little criticism, then I strongly suggest you stop posting. And to call any of these questions inane is disrespectful to the people who raised them. You still haven't told us why this development is bad. Come on Wendy, start taking responsibility for your statements. Keep in mind that I am copying all posts to this topic so that the blog owner can see your censorship if he so chooses.
CM
Saturday, October 31, 2009 6:49:00 PM
 Anonymous said...
Here's the post that was censored.
CM
Anonymous said...
As usual, you aren't answering the real questions put before you in any meaningful way. What have your letters to the editors got to do with this? If you're unable to comprehend what is being asked of you here, you haven't a hope in hell of making it in politics. Most of us have enough sense to know that just because you say something, doesn't make it fact. If you cannot provide legitimate references to support your statements/arguments then please stop blogging. You clearly have no clue about the issues behind this development and have no sense for what the people who live in the area want. Please, stop insulting our intelligence.
Saturday, October 31, 2009 6:50:00 PM
You might want to read my letter that is published in the latest North Shore Outlook.
Again, your letter does nothing but make statements.
1,000 plus cars a day in additional traffic entering the highway. Where do you get this number?
The development only produces more traffic, gridlock and pollution. Again, share with us the data to support these three assertions.
You assert that this project does not promote livability. Says who? You, or the people who live in the area adjacent this development. Again, support your statement with data and facts.
Just because you make statements, does not make them necessarily so. Please provide supporting documentation to support your assertions. Without that, the letter is nothing more than your opinion.
You are dealing with informed, intelligent people Wendy. Don't treat us like we're otherwise. There is no longer room for your generalizations. If you are not going to present us with well researched, supportable information, you will be called out on it each and every time. If you do choose to run in the next election, many of us will remember these insulting antics of yours and hold you accountable at the polls.
CM
Do you think that Ernie Crist was an uninformed person? He was my mentor for 2 and a half years? Who are you as an Anonymous to tell me that I am uninformed? When is the last time you ran for DNV Council? Who are you?
And by the bye, you are not supporting your comments with facts.
I state my name. You know who I am. I will not continue with this diatribe with someone who is too idiotic, chicken, or politically uninclined to use his/her identity. Good Bye.
CM,
Why don't you support your talk?
Do you actually think that the editor of the North Shore Outlook would publish my letter if I was such an idiot as you profess me to be?
690 units. Each with at least one parking stall.
Many new businesses on ground level. How many new cars will be in and out?
This is simple conservative mathematics.
How many years will it be before those 690 units are completed? Is it not fair to suppose that the access to the highway and surrounding areas might be improved by the time the development is completed (not that the conditions are really all that terrible now)?
CM
What?
CM, so now you are saying that will take years to complete so we shouldn't worry. Where is your logic here? And, the traffic congestion in this area IS bad now.
I'm not saying don't worry. I am saying don't panic. This development isn't going to change things over night.
You yourself say you drive infrequently. How can you say how bad the traffic is from day to day? I drive through the area daily and don't find it that bad. Try New York or L.A. We have nothing that comes close to resembling gridlock in our community. Another 1000 cars added to the area over the course of development really isn't a great burden.
CM
CM,
I know where you are coming from and I know this is a great project. It is simply the wrong place and many people, especially the people that live in Seymour and Deep Cove are going to be incredibly inconvenienced by this project.
As we approach the end of our debate I have to say that it has been a slice!
How are these two neighborhoods going to be inconvenienced? Certainly there will be inconvenience during construction. That's to be expected with any new construction. What of the inconvenience to the subject neighborhood if this project doesn't go ahead?
The project's Development Guidelines (attachment i of the rezoning application) outline the phasing of the development and illustrate the steps necessary to mitigate the impact of new traffic to the area. As a phased development, each building will go through a development permit process, giving council and the public future opportunity for review and input. This was only a re-zoning application. There is still a great deal of work to be done and plenty of opportunity for the public to be heard.
CM
Wendy your comments on the Seylynn project make me think that perhaps you think that if approved this neighbourhood will face major changes in a very short time frame. My experence with this type of project would suggest thats not the case. On a project of this size one can expect it to take from 5 to 20 years after rezoning before it all comes together. The reason is that you need a large number of private homeowners to come to agreement to sell as a block in order to allow a developer to build multi unit housing where there homes once stood once the rezoning is approved. Not an easy task. It's not uncommon to see blocks of single family homes that had there zoning upgraded or OCP changed years before still standing due to the problem of getting neighbours to work together. Bottom line is that the increase in traffic due to increased housing that you so fear will not happen over night.
I just returned from the Lynn Valley Library. The two doors, one of which opens on Lynn Valley Road and the other which opens onto the plaza were open. These two double or triple-wide doors are motion-sensored and should not be open unless there are people present. There was nobody around and they were open.
There were problems in the Library last winter making excuses for the "heat problem" and that it would be rectified.
I live only 1/2 block away from the Library and am there at least 3times a week.
This does not bode well for the DNV stance to be the most sustainable community by 2020. Why is this warm air entering the library in the summer and leaving in the winter?
We DNV taxpayers are paying to heat the outdoors in the winter and cool them in the summer.
Our DNV Council has made a point of becoming sustainable, however they are voting exactly against sustainability.
A recent example is the approval of the Hynes Project, just this side of the Second Narrows' Memorial Crossing Project, which will introduce 1000+ cars into an aready gridlocked highway.
Our DNV Council is simply NOT following through with its directive regarding sustainability.
Wendy, if you purchased a brand new stove and it had a problem that the dealer was having a hard time fixing and you had to have them back a number of times before they figured it out would you think people were right to blame you for buying the stove in the first place? or would you say that it is not something that is in your control?
Suspect most people would say it is not your fault just as they will say that the malfunctioning doors at the Library are not something to hang the council members over.
These doors are not malfunctioning. They are simply set to stay open for what reason I simply cannot comprend. I have spoken to 6 librarians and they just all shake their heads and say "I don't know why they are open." I have asked them to speak to their supervisors and they just say inane comments like, "I don't know." When I say that I will address DNV Council on this issue they just turn away and ignore me.
Why don't you ask the supervisor directly to get the facts?
I have done that. I believe it is in the process.
Wendy, your censoring again. How will you defend such actions when they are raised during the election you plan to run in? If I were you, I'd be very careful about your actions surrounding free speech. You can mess with a lot and Canadians will tolerate it, but free speech is not one of those things. Are you prepared for the damage this will cause you come election time? It's a two way street Wendy. If you are going to criticize others, you're going to accept others being critical of you.
CM
These are the deleted posts:
 Anonymous said...
CM by now you have probable come to the same conclusion that many of us who have tried to have a reasonable and educated debate with Wendy in the past have. It’s not possible! She for some reason appears to be unwilling or able? to back up her publically stated opinions with supporting reports or data. I for one appreciate the great patience you have shown in attempting to show her the correct way to debate and sharing what is clearly a great deal more firsthand experience in this area than what she has. I can hardly wait for Wendy to run in the next election. Every election needs a little controversy to generate public interest in order to get the voting numbers up. Would not surprise me at all if some here has saved some of her more insulting posts ( before she deletes them) in order to have her try to explain them away publically at an all candidates meeting perhaps? LOL Will she say the ghost of Ernie made her do it? I for one hope she does not as IMHO it would be a great insult to the memory of the man. Sadly from her track record here I fear she may drag him into it somehow.
Monday, November 02, 2009 9:39:00 AM
 Anonymous said...
Note to CM, Please refrain from feeding the animals.
Monday, November 02, 2009 10:13:00 AM
 Anonymous said...
Anon 9:39 and 10:13. It may seem like a futile exercise, but the truth of the matter is I know that arguing with Wendy on these matters is a lost cause. It is clear that she is unwilling or incapable of proper, reasoned discussion/debate. This will all come out in the wash at election time, as she will not be able to delete her oppositions comments during live debate. So, why do I bother? Very simply so that I can in some small way get other people who read this blog to see that there are other points of view. Points of view that are (hopefully) reasoned and persuasive enough to make them question her statements and look a little deeper into the issue, rather than accept what she says as the gospel. Well, that's all for now. I have a house to finish.
CM
As one of those whos post Wendy decided to delete I have to ask once again were the heck is the owner of this blog?
I for one have attempted many times to have a honest debate with Wendy but she will not back her statements up with anything other than insults.
Wendy I do not know you but I am pretty sure at this point that CM is correct that you will have a whole lot to explain to the public in this regard should you run for election.
How is it that Wendy can delete posts but a heading showing that a post was deleted does not appear as it normally does?
A bit odd & under handed is it not?
Some of you people attack me personally. This is simply not allowed. Barry Forward knows it. Why do you think he does not delete comments attacking me personally.
Please note that I have not deleted MANY of your personal attacks on me. They are still online. Check it out!
I suggest that you get on with the issues instead of making it increasingly clear that you are afraid of my politics.
Just a little note to posters on this little blog: If you want a comment deleted simply click on "delete comment" and then click on "return" and then click on "delete comment" again. Then "return" and then, you will see "delete forever" -- this is the hammer.
Wendy, just because the deleted posts are critical of you, they are valid given the content of this thread. Rather than deleting, I would recommend that you work on fixing your own personal behavior on this blog. You really are the only one that is attacking people as the following censored, but very valid, comments illustrate:
CM - the censored post re-poster
 Anonymous said...
Wendy wrote: "Some of you people attack me personally. This is simply not allowed.
" Wendy Wrote: "#2 As a poster on this blog I have every right to delete any comments that I deem to be unacceptable or off-topic. If you don't like this rule then post your own post.
" Wendy wrote: "By intimating that the traffic studies are paid for by the developer you are simply adding insult to injury. You obviously have little or no intelligence so please stay off my post or I will delete you.
" Wendy Wrote: ".... was sitting next to an idiot who I argued with, regarding the Hynes development project.
" Wendy Wrote: "The rest of your questions are inane and I have no comment."
The funny part on the one above is that it was in response to the unanswered question: "Wendy, why the name calling? Just because you have a differing view?
Wendy it looks very much like to me that it is you who is doing most of the attaching.
Come on Barry please end the pain please. Take away her right to delete posts by others. Appoint a 3rd party who she can ask to review a post she feels is not in keeping with policy.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:11:00 PM
I see Wendy has been busy editing. LOL
Wendy as one of the people who supported the notion that normally the District does not pay for traffic studies on new developments as you say they do. I assumed you would have taken the time to look into this matter to see if perhaps you were mistaken in this regard. Could you enlighten us all as to what you found out to be the facts on who pays for most traffic studies?
I am also curious as well about your comments in your main post regarding the Rec becoming privatized. I get the rec centers are run down but the question has been asked of you to explain why you think the Dist rec facilities are to be privatized. If you hope to be taken seriously by anyone you should at least explain your comment to those that ask.
I cannot believe that this post has survived so long.
I am now (as of today) on the board of directors of the North Shore Safety Council.
I am on your side bloggers. See you in politics.
Wendy said: "I am on your side bloggers."
I'm glad you think so, Wendy. But judging from the differing points of view in the thread above (and elsewhere on this blog), I'm wondering how you came to that conclusion?
CM
Well Wendy glad to hear you have taken a small step in the learning process. If nothing more it will help you to see that sometimes the decisions made as a group are not easy and not as black and white as you make them out to be. On our side. LOL Once you have spent a few years on that council as well as a few more on others with a bit more weight then prehaps you will be able to say you see the light and are on our side. LOL
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