Comments on North Vancouver Politics.com: Congratulations to All City and District 2011 Cand...

Fearnley thought he could turn those independent c...

2011-11-22T20:00:00.455-08:00

Fearnley thought he could turn those independent candidates into a caucus. See how well that turned out. As the record shows, it was like herding cats with either Clark, or Heywood, or Fearnley himself voting with Mussatto et al.
There was simply too much personal animosity.

Anon 12:42. No I meant that candidates taking uni...

2011-11-22T19:35:10.733-08:00

Anon 12:42. No I meant that candidates taking union money for their campaign expenses doesn't seem to matter to City voters as Mussatto, Keating etc. did quite well when looking at their vote count.

On the other hand, Macauley, who was the only candidate to accept union money in the District came well down the pack.

It appears that a financial relationship between a candidate/councillor and the civic unions doesn't resonate with the majority of District voters but is of little consequence to those in the City.

Unless it is a slate trying to con the voters by c...

2011-11-22T16:37:16.088-08:00

Unless it is a slate trying to con the voters by calling itself "independent".

Independent candidates, by definition, do not have...

2011-11-22T12:48:10.288-08:00

Independent candidates, by definition, do not have leaders.

I think you meant to say union money/endorsement d...

2011-11-22T12:42:32.730-08:00

I think you meant to say union money/endorsement does count in the City.

So what lessons did we learn from this election? ...

2011-11-21T20:28:53.448-08:00

So what lessons did we learn from this election?

Encumbents are hard to defeat.
Name recognition is important.
Union campaign money doesn't matter in the City but doesn't fly in the District.
The majority are either so happy or so complacent that they don't vote
Quoting "insiders" regarding who will be elected has little value

Satelite meetings? It's 5 square miles for he...

2011-11-21T20:21:10.283-08:00

Satelite meetings? It's 5 square miles for heaven's sake.

If one is interested they'll get off their butt and get themselves to a meeting.

If they're not they'll find a million reasons why participating was inconvenient.

sticks and stones - yada yada yada Perhaps if the ...

2011-11-21T17:32:31.693-08:00

sticks and stones - yada yada yada
Perhaps if the City were willing to have satelite meetings in different areas of the City that would get people more engaged.

There is such a vast array of incomes and needs in such a small space. For example more voters I think in Lower Lonsdale are renters, as well people who may be financially challenged. Certainly many neighborhoods where
people are homeowners and probably in a much higher income bracket. As well there is a growing number of seniors with very mixed incomes.

Let's see more community meetings where people can grab a cup of coffee and just chat with council members in a causal and relaxing manner.

As far as my remarks none of them are classfied as racist, and I am not going to sit back and let Bell blow his ego to that extent without a challenge.
The following statement is absolute garbage:

Monday, November 21, 2011 1:37:00 AM

“Speaking the truth is not bad politics,” Mr. Greg...

2011-11-21T15:58:51.028-08:00

“Speaking the truth is not bad politics,” Mr. Gregg argued. “We may all have the right to our opinions but we do not have the right to our own facts.”

This is an interesting article from today's G&M.

During the campaign, several questions of truth arose:

Is the City growing at 1% as the Mayor contends or is it 3.6% as reported in BC Stats?

Did the proponents of a new Harry Jerome Community Centre propose 800,000 square feet of high rise development on the existing site as alleged by Keating in a CBC interview and circulated by the Court House Residents Association?

Did Cland LB really not know the meaning of "slate"?

Here's the address for the whole article:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/fibs-destined-to-fail-politicians-told/article2243871/

I think when it comes to mandatory voting the old ...

2011-11-21T15:51:53.249-08:00

I think when it comes to mandatory voting the old adage 'you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar' applies. Perhaps a tax 'incentive' for voting instead of a tax 'penalty' would improve things. I know it seems a bit mercenary to have to bribe the electorate to vote but I believe that if you penalize people by not voting they'll figure out a way to undermine the whole election process out of resentment. At least with an incentive they might take the time to understand the issues. Just my two cents...

The public has spoken, the (active) members of Nor...

2011-11-21T13:28:58.791-08:00

The public has spoken, the (active) members of North Vancouver Politics.com continue to show themselves as a vocal minority of the voting electorate.

I have to agree. Both DNV and DWV Councils show mo...

2011-11-21T12:51:07.356-08:00

I have to agree. Both DNV and DWV Councils show more respect for members of the public who take the time to speak to them at council meeting. The attitude at CNV ranges from patronizing to pandering.

Disagree - people do feel negatively impacted but ...

2011-11-21T12:31:57.318-08:00

Disagree - people do feel negatively impacted but helpless to change anything. Time to change the format of council meetings to engage people more. Watch a West Van meeting - and see the difference.

11:12 must travel in uninformed circles. Everyone...

2011-11-21T12:20:01.245-08:00

11:12 must travel in uninformed circles. Everyone I spoke with was aware of the election and were keen to get out and vote. I just think that many people don't see any issues that they can get worked up about and don't bother. They have other things going on with their weekends, especially if they have active kids. Not saying it's right (I think it's everyone's responsibility to get out and vote), but I think that it's the reality. If people don't feel they're being negatively impacted, they aren't likely to participate.

"Really? You think the public is clueless? I ...

2011-11-21T11:12:37.747-08:00

"Really? You think the public is clueless? I don't think so. They've got lives to live and don't see anything that would make them interrupt they're busy schedules. Apathetic? Sure. But not clueless."

Seriously, I talked to many people a week before the election and the most quoted item? "There is an election? When is the vote?"

To me that is clueless, people are so disengaged from the political levels that operate around them the people would do with a city manager and to heck with a political council. To me that is more than clueless it is pure, ugly, ignorance.

The day people pull their head out of the sand the day we see 32,000 registered voters show up and really tell us what they think.

I would rather have 32,000 vote me out of office than 5,200 out of 32,000 These numbers in this election are about 1500 more people than who voted in the last election. Just total the mayoral vote only 8000 voted total.

I want mandatory voting!

If any of these people went out and bought a TV for 2500$ sight unseen, and no warranty, do you think they would complain about what they truely received when it was delivered? Damn right they would! So how is it 24,000 voters who pay on average $2500 in taxes do exactly that - accept the ppolitical product unseen, and unwarranted? I just don't understand this complacency.

You expect her to be a polite hard core racist?

2011-11-21T09:52:13.470-08:00

You expect her to be a polite hard core racist?

She may know politics (of a sort), but is hardly g...

2011-11-21T09:34:16.432-08:00

She may know politics (of a sort), but is hardly graceful. Whatever happened to civility, even to your opponents?

Actually, I think Sue lakes Cook is quite Clever!!...

2011-11-21T09:10:27.834-08:00

Actually, I think Sue lakes Cook is quite Clever!!

I don't see her as a Childish Bully
but a Senior that knows Fully (Politics)

Wow Sue, why always so hostile? Can't you mak...

2011-11-21T08:45:39.543-08:00

Wow Sue, why always so hostile? Can't you make your points in a civil manner? You come off as nothing more than a childish bully.

Oh please, Pam, Rod and Guy do not need a leader, ...

2011-11-21T06:11:00.414-08:00

Oh please, Pam, Rod and Guy do not need a leader, and certainly not from Don Bell. Let us not forget that Bell was well and truly defeated and that should tell us all something.

I doubt very much that Bell will have a major impact on council but I think he will have on development. Wonder if he was living on the Old Age Pension only and this is a very needed boost to his personal income?

King Keating is not going to let anyone get in the way of his power base but he definately wants his kingdom to grow and that is where Bell will be his buddy.

Where did the "down to earth class" come from? Really Don if you are going to post about yourself a little modesty is in order.

Yesterday's news is just that, and even with all the new paint and polish it is still not going to glisten and gleen like "just off the press" I know because I too, am a senior person.

Don Bell will surprise many with his transformatio...

2011-11-21T01:37:48.528-08:00

Don Bell will surprise many with his transformation from "Teflon Don" to the well seasoned "Iron Don". He won't back down. Don's got more down to earth class, experience and ability to lead than Keating, Mussatto and Buchanan combined. Bell will not be manipulated by Keating but will teach him what it means to be a politician who leads the people respectfully and humbly by listening and looking for common ground. Should be interesting.

Bell will be the leader of the Pam, Guy and Rod sl...

2011-11-20T22:20:56.327-08:00

Bell will be the leader of the Pam, Guy and Rod slate.

I am busy too, aren't we all Maybe a lot of un...

2011-11-20T18:58:53.927-08:00

I am busy too, aren't we all
Maybe a lot of unawares out there,
major issues will make one aware in a hurry

Just remember the City is only 5 square miles. so at one point
you will be affected by a new
development and will want some
say and a nay to Council

The other reality is that the general public do no...

2011-11-20T18:15:18.213-08:00

The other reality is that the general public do not trust or believe that policitians are honest, truthful, or care about them, their welfare or concerns. They sadly feel their vote is just a waste of time.

It is very obvious if you look at the numbers it is obvious that Bell was well in truly in bed with Buchanan, Keating and Mussatto. I thought at one point he might have the Liberal backing but that does not make sense as he is too old. There is no way that his name is so well known that he would be the top vote getter in the election without a lot of deals and help.

The Libs would be much better putting their weight behind Guy Heywood as he is young and can give them a future.

It is up to Bookham, Clark and Heywood to build up an opposition. They will have to find people that will come before council and do battle on the issues that they feel are important. They will also have to try and connect with neighborhood organizations and help organize them. They must start building a grass roots support system and they must start now.

CUPE is too lazy to come to meetings now as their future is well taken care of. It is time for the Provincial Government or the Union of BC Municipalites to cap the amount that those on the public payroll can use to bankroll politicians who are gong to be in their back pockets. Talk about a conflict of interest this had to be a classic.

Really? You think the public is clueless? I don&...

2011-11-20T18:09:40.274-08:00

Really? You think the public is clueless? I don't think so. They've got lives to live and don't see anything that would make them interrupt they're busy schedules. Apathetic? Sure. But not clueless.