North Vancouver Politics.com

Two North Vans too many?

2012-01-28T19:09:00.002-08:00

Published: January 25, 2012 12:00 PM
Updated: January 26, 2012 6:33 PM

For as long as the iconic twin peaks of The Lions have towered over the North Shore, there’s been talk of “harmonizing” their stony redundancies and making do with just one. Well, almost.

In truth, the ongoing North Vancouver amalgamation debate — as perennial to the North Shore landscape as snow atop those granite peaks — officially got its start on Oct. 23, 1957.

That’s when, according to District of North Vancouver records, the first committee was set up to look for cost efficiencies in uniting the two North Vans. Studies were done and referenda were held throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. But the idea — while polling well in the district — never held as much sway in the city.

That may be changing. Read more...

November 2011 Political Sweep Strategy in Mission Municipal Election in a Nutshell

2012-01-22T12:18:00.003-08:00

The following description was written by Jeff Jewell, District of Mission Councillor.

To whom it may concern,

Our organization began as a group of citizens with common concerns.

But no party organization, bylaws or fees etc.

Our main organizer was an ex-Councillor, and he formed the team of candidates and became our campaign manager.

He also fulfilled the registration procedures for our recognition as an affiliated group on the ballot.

The team ran a single campaign, with each candidate putting up $1500 for signs and advertising.

Our main advertising was a monthly publication 8-12 pages delivered as a flyer to every household by Canada Post.

As our sweep showed, this is a powerful strategy against the great advantages of incumbents,
presuming you can expose some areas of vulnerability that resonate with voters.

Jeff

PS: Our publication was titled The Mission Messenger. The website shows the first several issues [but wasn't
updated during the actual campaign]:

http://missionmessenger.com/

DNV's lines of communication cloudy

2012-01-20T19:18:00.002-08:00

BY DAVID KNEE, NORTH SHORE NEWS JANUARY 20, 2012

An open letter to the District of North Vancouver mayor and Council:

I find it strange that all of council expressed concern about the low voter turnout in the recent municipal election, but the actions of this council over the past few years has been getting more negative towards the residents with respect to credible communication and input into district matters. read more...http://www.nsnews.com/technology/lines+communication+cloudy/6025408/story.html

Clark returns more gaming revenue

2012-01-15T12:41:00.000-08:00

Arts groups point out the rate of return still not the original 33%

NORTH Shore arts groups are giving mixed reviews to Premier Christy Clark's announcement that they will have some of their gaming revenues restored..... Read more:

Food for thought letter

2012-01-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

DNV needs tax-calming measures

BY ELIAS B. MERKINS, NORTH SHORE NEWS JANUARY 4, 2012

Dear Editor:

The District of North Vancouver's proposal to charge residents of a specific area for local improvement projects such as traffic calming is nothing more than a new attempt to increase property taxes (DNV May Alter Traffic Calming Process, Dec. 11, North Shore News).

They suggest that if 60 per cent of the residents are in favour of the improvements then they will be done and charged to that individual area. I wonder if we, as taxpayers, would be allowed to approve with the same 60 per cent ratio all new staff hirings, administration expenses and other costs that arise in the district. Instead of looking to find efficiencies, they keep coming up with new and innovative ways of increasing taxes.

It is time to change this mentality.

Local improvements to garbage collection, roads and infrastructure are the expenses, between other things, that should be covered by more efficiently using our taxes.

Elias B. Merkins West Vancouver

Read any good books lately?

2012-01-02T20:50:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

Everyone loves a good book especially one on politics! Perhaps you received or gave a book this Christmas that you would recommend or you have past reading references that you would like to share with other bloggers here on North Vancouver Politics.com

Jim Hanson to run in Seymour for NDP

2011-12-26T13:17:00.002-08:00

" You could be on your death bed in North Van-Seymour and still be elected as a Liberal". The former statement was spoken by David Shreck, former BC NDP MLA for North Vancouver Lonsdale. No question it's a very tough up hill fight for the NDP but, could Mr. Hanson win over Jane Thornthwaite with the BC Liberals sagging popularity? One wonders if the Conservatives run a candidate and the vote is split with the Liberals if an NDP election victory in the DNV-esque, NV-Seymour riding could be on the horizon? The last time the NDP held the riding was in 1972 when Colin Gableman held the seat during the Dave Barrett era.

Jim Hanson is the BC NDP candidate for NV-Seymour.

Smart Meters: What are the risks?

2011-12-19T12:19:00.010-08:00

By Dr. Matsen

In many areas, including here in BC, existing analogue electric meters are being replaced with smart meters. There are significant health, safety, and privacy issues involved with the installation of these wireless devices.

The following article titled "Smart meters, what are the risks?" was taken from the Health Action magazine, Winter 2011/12 edition. It explains why we should be concerned about smart meters and what we can do about this issue. The article was written by Jim Waugh, Author & publisher of: “Living Safely with Electromagnetic Radiation.” Consulting in: electromagnetic inspections, mitigation, shielding and low-EMF design. Cell: (604) 788-0743 Web: www.EMFSafeHome.com

Following Jim’s article is a link to a copy of his form letter to BC Hydro giving notice of refusal to allow installation of smart meters. Jim has kindly allowed us to post this so you can use it to send to BC Hydro. Also is a link to a PDF copy of a poster that you can print off and attach to your existing electric meter. The poster is courtesy of Citizens For Safe Technology Society (www.citizensforsafetechnology.org)

Smart Meters: What are the Risks?
by Jim Waugh

No doubt you are aware of the smart meter program that BC Hydro began moving ahead in July. The $930-million program was announced in 2008 by then Premier Gordon Campbell to allow BC Hydro to replace existing analog electric meters with smart meters for all of its 1.8 million customers.

The smart meter program concerns me deeply because there are significant safety, health and privacy issues that BC Hydro is not disclosing to the public. I feel an urgent need to tell as many people as possible why the smart meter program is a really bad idea and what we can do to opt out of it.

Why be concerned about smart meters?

Smart meters using wireless technology are being installed in many American states and European countries (Idaho and Italy used fibre-optic connections rather than wireless). The installations have been met with intense opposition from concerned citizens.

Why are these people angry and protesting smart meters with such vigour? They are concerned that wireless radiation from smart meter networks will…. To read the rest of the article, click here: Winter Health Action Smart Meter Article (in PDF format) or here: Smart Meters What are the Risks (in word format).

EMF BC Hydro Refusal Letter

EMF Smart Meters No Trespassing Sign

[For more articles about electromagnetic radiation and smart meters go to:http://www.hans.org/magazine/928/Smart-Meters-What-are-the

Jerry Day speaks on smart meters;
http://stopsmartmeters.ca/2011/10/smart-meters/


Robert Bateman discusses health and Smart Meters Source: stopsmartmeters.ca

What's on your mind about North Vancouver politics?

2011-12-13T18:06:00.005-08:00

This is an any topic post about 'North Vancouver's political players and the decisions that shape our community.' Let's discuss what's on your mind?

The Mayor's Slate

2011-12-07T17:51:00.004-08:00

One of the things Mayor Mussatto has shown leadership on is the introduction of Slate Politics to elections in the City of North Vancouver. In the Nov 19^th 2011 City election, for the second time in a row, Darrell campaigned with a Slate ... not of just 4 ... but several. This, in hopes of taking firm control of City Hall. Slate Politics was unknown in the City until its introduction by Mayor Mussato 2 elections ago. Many slates appeared during the campaign ... The Mussato Slate, the Keating Slate, & various community based slates. None to equal the Mayor’s Slate, however. In spite of Darrell’s best efforts ... 4 truly independent voices were elected. Perhaps, the time has come for an alternative slate to arise & challenge Mayor Mussato in his quest for control of North Van City Hall. Independent thinkers need to band together & present an alternative to the Mussatoization of our City. It is a regrettable situation of Darrell’s creation & leadership.

What do you think?

Rod Clark

‘Tis the Season for Giving...

2011-12-06T16:26:00.002-08:00

In anticipation of the usual hordes of Christmas shoppers, Park Royal is providing valet parking service, but I didn’t notice many takers when I was at the mall recently. In fact, it seemed rather quiet compared to other years. Could be that with the dire predictions for more global economic turmoil, folks are refusing to participate in the usual orgy of consumption and debt. With the recently announced jobless figures and projected budget shortfall, it’s harder to make merry this year. I find in a season of anxiety and uncertainty, it helps to count one’s blessings and to give to those in need. There are so many worthy causes, but this year, I’ve decided to support organizations close to home. If you cannot give financially, give of your time and energy.

Here is an opportunity to identify good causes that need our support here on the North Shore. Tell us about their programs and services that make a difference in the lives of others.

Transportation Open House

2011-12-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

Last year, the District pulled their support for the Joint Bicycle Advisory Committee. The City has since created the Integrated Transportation Committee, an approach that makes more sense. Still it’s important that the City and the District continue to communicate and cooperate on transportation planning. We recently saw the District reverse it’s plans to create a lane for buses and bicycles only on East Keith because of the number of calls and emails they received from angry drivers. Next week, the City, the District and the MOTI are hosting an Open House to consider changes to the Lynn Valley-Boulevard Crescent Corridor. See the details below.

LYNN VALLEY ROAD / BOULEVARD CRESCENT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, December 7, 5:30 – 7:30 in the Sutherland Secondary School Foyer

The City of North Vancouver, with the District of North Vancouver and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, invite you to an Open House to discuss options for improving the Active Transportation links along Boulevard Crescent and Lynn Valley through the Highway 1 interchange.

The project goal is to improve the pedestrian and cyclists’ connection through the Highway 1 interchanges and along a corridor from the intersection of Boulevard Crescent and East 19th Street to the intersection of Lynn Valley Road and William Avenue.

My question is has the money spent to date on all modes of transportation in the City and the District been money well spent? And secondly, what should be the highest transportation priorities for the in-coming North Vancouver councils?

North Vancouver City calls a halt to smart meter program

2011-12-04T09:55:00.006-08:00

The City has called for a halt to the smart meter program so should not the District be doing the same? Word has it that BC Hydro is installing meters in the Lynn Valley area right now.

North Shore News story

A Civic Party for the District of North Vancouver

2011-11-28T07:42:00.007-08:00

In light of 'all the incumbents re-elected" in the District of North Vancouver, a civic party may be needed that would present to the voters a slate of candidates that stand for a common set of policies. A Civic Party might also be the 'alternative' the District needs to get more than a 21% voter turnout.

Policies that come to mind are:

Amalgamation of all 3 North Shore municipalities,

Citizen initiated referenda

Adherence to OCP, unless there is a unanimous council vote to amend it

Growth contingent on additional transportation infra structure (roads, seabus, buses, bridges )

Internet Voting

In the District of Mission a slate of candidates (Citizens for Responsible Government) ran 100%successfully as a Civic Party with the purpose of winning over the great advantages of the incumbents.

http://missionmessenger.com/

The Secret of Success

2011-11-27T17:49:00.001-08:00

Don Bell and Darrell Mussatto have enjoyed tremendous success in their political careers. What accounts for their success? Are there lessons that aspiring politicians can learn from them? Will Bell’s experience as Mayor of the District of North Vancouver and Liberal MP for North Vancouver make him a good fit on City Council? A potential candidate for Mayor in 2014?
Mussatto was elected to a third term with a 74% majority. Will this latest victory give him renewed enthusiasm for the job? Will he go on to rival the late Jack Loucks who served as Mayor of the City for 18 years?
It will be fascinating to watch the dynamic between these political titans over the next three years.

An invitation to post

2011-11-25T07:41:00.003-08:00

During the election the topics submitted to the blog by some of the candidates proved to be successful in creating the discussion we're famous for. I would like to extend this invitation to any blogger so if you have a topic you would like to see 'POSTED' please e.mail it to lynnvalleyblogger@gmail.com here at the blog. Anonymous 'COMMENTS' have been an important part of the discussions on the blog over the years and if you wish your 'POST' idea to be anonymous please indicate it in your e.mail and it will be 'Posted by John Sharpe'. If you're feeling more adventurous you may want to request permission to become a registered, 'named' poster via the same e.mail.

Looking forward to the discussions.

Election Signage

2011-11-24T17:41:00.003-08:00

Recent weather may have taken a toll on candidates signs. If you notice any signs that are misconstrued please contact candidates regarding where these signs are located or perhaps pick them up and email the candidate to let them know where they are for pickup. Candidates can be fined for not getting their signs down 8 days after the election (Nov. 28th).

Every vote Counts

2011-11-21T20:44:00.005-08:00

Maybe if Chris Dorais had just smiled or shook the hands of four more people during his campaign he would now be sitting in a School Trustees seat. Dorais was three votes short of Trustee successful candidate Christie Sacre' according to the 'unofficial election results' on the CNV website. Will there be a recount? Did Chris Dorais irk some voters with his brochures that said, 'Re-elect Chris Dorais' when he was actually not an incumbent since he lost his seat in 2008?

The other curious thing is why didn't the DNV post the voter turnout percentage like the CNV?

Congratulations to All City and District 2011 Candidates

2011-11-20T09:19:00.006-08:00

2011 Unofficial Election results for the District of North Vancouver.

2011 Unofficial Election results for the City Of North Vancouver .

It's a beautiful sunny day to Vote in North Vancouver!

2011-11-19T09:54:00.008-08:00

This post is from Ron Polly.

Good morning everyone

A fine day and I hope this is the largest turnout ever.

Carson and I have run a very frugal campaign. We are at about $1,000.00 total. He is running mostly to get the under 30 crowd out. To let them know they do have a voice. To make a difference. The response to his passion and honesty has been over whelming. He has been asked by a lot of people to run again. I am sure he will. We are both very proud of him.

This has been an eye opening experience for both of us. I have found out that we have truly let money take over the municipal election. This is our home and we have sold it for a flashy ads and lots of ugly posters with 15 year old pictures on them.

One of the biggest compliments I have had is how many people said they do not vote but after reading what I have said they will be. That is great to hear. Mostly from the under thirty crowd.

What happens today we have to all work with for three years. Some of the decisions made by this future council will be with us longer than that.

I hope this council to be elected makes is a maverick council. The City of North Vancouver can set an example.

We can move forward on changes to how elections are held here. Place a cap on election spending and contributions from any one source.

Stop the sale of what is called surplus lands by the School District. To not rezone them to high density to be sold off to a developer who made the correct choice on whom to back in this election. I can not believe selling of these properties will not bite future generation in the ass.

Housing for seniors and people with dementia so they never have to be moved off some were as the level of care changes. We have the resources and the people to make this happen. Let us not wait for the provincial government to act. We can show them how it is done.

Actively work with all municipalities to move our recreational facilities forward to be the envy of Metro Vancouver. The more we have access to the healthier or citizens will be. They do not all have to be built now but we do need to secure the lands. That goes right back to not selling off our land bank.

Animals are a common bond. We have no participation in a true refuge for them. It is coldly contracted out and it is long overdue for all three municipalities to have one large communal shelter. This would promote not only the well being of animals but in each other. It would be the start of a true connection of the three. A world class sanctuary would attract visitors wanting to spend time there. There is no wildlife rescue on the North Shore. This also could be included and again be a place for people to be volunteer.

Work at getting more events and business to come here.

Review the early public input process. To make sure that citizens are on the same playing field as those who now have a little too much influence in city hall.

Transparency and public input to be put ahead of all else. Public task forces over multimillion dollar studies.

These are just a few on my wish list. I will be looking with anticipation to see if the next council puts density or duty first.

I wish all who ran good luck today. I think we have lots of good people and some new stars on the rise.

Today I will be taking advantage of the dry weather and working on my driveway. The sand is packed and it is time to start getting those pavers in or I will be laying them on snow it seems.

Looking forward to Sunday then my next big challenge is about to start.

Thank you all for kind words and support.

Yours Truly,

Ron Polly

PS. I wonder if Anonymous is ever going to run for council ?

Bill Bell Assessment, Part 2

2011-11-18T19:20:00.001-08:00

So enough with North Vancouver City politics, let’s talk about the District. Recently I was asked to give my thoughts on amalgamation and I answered that I thought it was a good idea. I fessed up that when I was a City council member it was only the thought of being overwhelmed by the much larger district that kept me from supporting amalgamation.

But now that I have had a chance to go over the CFIB report on municipal funding I am less convinced that an amalgamated municipality would be any more efficient. Putting together two inefficiently run municipalities do not necessarily guarantee a better organization.

The second reason I am less enthusiastic about amalgamation gets us back to the election…the possibility of having a Margie Goodman as mayor is too disturbing to comprehend.

I shutter when I think back to the days when I was a lowly school board journalist for the North Shore News and she was on school board. Oh she was nasty! Goodman having been an elected official in the district is enough of reason for me to keep the two municipalities separated.

So yes! Richard Walton would be my choice in the District for Mayor, even if he is in denial when it comes to his municipality’s overspending.

As for the council race? The entire council works well as a team…too well, there needs to be some effective voice that is critical of what council is doing. Nothing in politics is that perfect. Where is Ernie Christ and other liked minded critics when you need them? Municipal spending on the North Shore is out of control and it will take a strong politician to cut through the municipal staff’s annual snow job they call the budget process to get spending under control.

I cannot recommend that any incumbent should be defeated or changed, but like the city, some old faces should be replaced with new faces, new ideas and a sharp mind to be critical in a constructive way.

Is someone thinking I would recommend Wendy? Nope, I wish I could as I think some of her ideas and criticism of the present council have been right on the money. Unfortunately some of her criticisms have also been erratic as far as quality and some have not been thought out at all.

Perhaps! And this may be wishful thinking, with the responsibility of being an elected official; Wendy would grow into the role of opposition. John Gilmour and Holly Back certainly have the credentials to be on council, but in my estimation they are more of the same current “team,” rather than a voice for those who want to see more balance of views on council and greater fiscal responsibility.

Finally! The Bill Bell assessment of the 2011 Election, Part 1

2011-11-18T06:36:00.001-08:00

For the first time since 1974 (or there about) when I went door knocking for a “progressive candidate” running for alderman in the city of North Vancouver, John Braithewaite, I haven’t paid much attention to a North Shore Municipal election.

With a much inflated ego, during that time as a North Shore Journalist, columnist, election organizer and of course a candidate, I really thought my opinion counted and I could influence the outcome of any election. It’s taken a long time, but with age and hindsight I discovered on the North Shore what I think means diddly, North Shore municipal voters (as opposed to the great numbers of miserable apathetic residents who don’t vote) are an independent lot who are guided in their electoral decisions by some very common concerns and in some cases by some not so common reasons.

In the city where I am most familiar, there are three determining factors to being elected (I am not certain if this holds true in the current election but I suspect it does): CUPE support, Catholic support and Alliance church support.

If you have all three of these endorsements (often just word of mouth support, sometimes in the past, right from pulpet) in the city you are guaranteed a seat on council as long as the voter turnout is low.

Having said this, I think it is time for the voters on the North Shore to shake things up and get rid of some the tired old faces on council.

It needs people who understand when council is being manipulated by municipal staff. It needs people who have a big heart, but can keep the city financial house in order. And most of all it needs people who are willing to say no to increased density and are capable of not being bought off by the promise of developers dollars.

I don’t like picking on individuals but Bob Fearnley needs to go, he has no true backbone and is willing to flip a vote on any given issue. Craig Keating is too smart for council, he manipulates everything he touches and like I, has far too inflated of an ego to be effective as a councillor at city hall. He will make an excellent provincial politician but he has outgrown city politics and should never have run in this election once he got the NDP nomination.

Like Keating, Rod Clark has outgrown his usefulness as a councillor and should not have run; he deserves to be Mayor in my books and should have run for that position this time.

Don Bell, what was on his mind? I wish him the best of luck and with a name like that in the City he will probably get elected, but really? He is not the new face that the city needs.

My good back stabbing friend, his worship Darrell Mussatto, deserves to be reelected, but he does not deserve to have control of the majority of votes on council. If he loses majority, he will either become one the best Mayors the City has seen or his nasty side will come out from behind the grin and he will not make it past the next election. The choice will be his.

Vote for a Change – George Pringle

2011-11-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

I revealed the 3.6% population increase at Tuesday's Mayor's Debate. The
interesting thing is that BC Stats published this in January. Yet
Darrell's undeclared political party, parrot the line that our growth is
under 1% a year, a total falsehood.

What has not been reported by Ivan Leonard and Rod Clark as they spread
what I found, is when we officially (March's Stats Can census) go over the
50,000 population mark, the Community Charter forces us to add 2 more
members of council. The only way we can stop this is to hold a referendum
six months prior to the next election. An expensive mid-term referendum.

Perhaps Darrell wants a Council of nine so he can run more former NDP
candidates for his union and big developer party. If they ever have a
majority on Council 3.6% will seem like a kick in the shins compared to
the kicks in gut we will get from Darryl's Doc Marten wearing EcoDensity
warriors. Someday the false green clothes will be ripped off of Darrell's
growth addicted wolf, you cannot turn a 4 story apt into a 24 story apt
without dramatically increasing the amount of the city's greenhouse gases
and Darrell has committed our city to a goal in 2050 of, "reducing GHG
emissions by 80%.”

Darryl and Council really dropped the ball in not having a referendum
during this election but of course Darryl would have to reveal that his
addiction to growth has resulted in 2009's 3.6% and a probable 5% in 2010.
Addicts will do anything to hide and protect their addiction.

There is only one candidate opposing Darryl who has committed to
strengthening and even reducing allowable building heights during the
upcoming OCP revision and committing to never voting to amend the new
citizens OCP.

There is only one candidate opposing Darrell who called for Renter Rights
and a Council that does not turn a blind eye to violations of our bylaws
by the same big developers who all want to build their 50 story
"landmarks" in NVan. While Council turns a blind eye to apt buildings
without a simple little wheelchair ramp.

There is only one candidate opposing Darrell who calls for a three year
tax rate freeze, an end to free dinners for Council and staff and sister
city trips to Chiba, the whaling capital of Japan. I would even take a
$20,000 pay cut, cut the $9500 car allowance and donate the money received
from sitting at Metro Van meetings to local North Van charities.

There is only one candidate opposing Darrell who calls for a referendum on
amalgamation. In 1981, almost a majority of the City's residents voted for
amalgamation but the Councilors and potential councilors fear the loss of
two seats as that would diminish their chance at the free conventions to
Whistler that some Councilors take.

It's time to vote for the City, vote for a change, vote George Pringle on
Saturday Nov 19th

Affordable housing is the most important issue

2011-11-17T16:09:00.003-08:00

I think the number one issue is affordable housing. With huge Chinese demand, large numbers of Chinese people with lots of money. Supply is not keeping up with this massive demand. So there is a shift in the demand curve to the right. With high demand at every price level. So with high demand, limited supply, price jumps sky high. Foreign investment and Chinese demand here locally driving price of housing out of reach for lots of people. So that this generation of young people will have to move to Prince George or Chilliwack in order to afford a house. This issue is not being addressed by the current mayors or council members except for one. Are big buck developers being given priority here in North Van city so that high density becomes too high. They should restrict 25 tower buildings to the Lonsdale corridor.With increasing population high density is inevitable but, it should be done at a reasonable pace. So in conclusion growth with reason.

John Hutchinson

Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics

2011-11-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

There are those parading around in this City election campaign quoting growth in our City is 1%.
This, they claim, is within the parameters of our Official Community Plan & therfore to be praised & readily accepted. No problem accepting growth at this rate ... all is well.

Not so ... check out this link ... http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/pop/pop/estspop.asp#totpop

Here's some more interesting information.

Top Ten Growth Municipalities: 2009-2010 by percentage

1. Langford 6.6%

2. NORTH VANCOUVER CITY 3.6%

3. Surrey 3.4%

4. New Westminster 2.8%

5. Coquitlam 2.6%

6. Vancouver 2.3%

7. Chilliwack 2.3%

8. Burnaby 1.9%

9. North Vancouver District 1.8%

10. Richmond 1.7%

May I also point out that on page 7 of the 2010 Sub-Provincial Population Estimates, North Vancouver City had growth of 3.6% in 2009-2010 and 2.4% in 2008-2009. Wow, more than 3 times what we were told. This growth rate is not sustainable. The Density Genie is just about out of the bottle ... once out the Genie will not go back in. I am all about telling the public the truth & respecting our OCP.

What kind of North Vancouver City do you want to live in?

Rod Clark

Civic engagement or Civil engagement?

2011-11-14T17:13:00.003-08:00

Everyone knows how important civic engagement is to me - see the Report of my Civic Engagement Task from last term. But how important is civil engagement to our community? This evening, I received a voicemail message from a constituent. He wanted to know my position on a particular topic. He asked me to return his call, but he also told me not to bother if I disagreed with him. Dilemma: knowing that we probably did not agree, should I return the call anyway? Good manners won out, and I returned the call. As I began to tell him my position on the issue, he hung up on me. I have a thick skin from many years in local politics, so it did not trouble me too much. But it made me think of this question for the North Vancouver Politics forum: how important is civility in today's politics? Jack Loucks used to say, "It's okay to disagree, but not be disagreeable." How do we disagree on and debate difficult topics without disrespecting people and process?

Topic provided by Guy Heywood

Harry Jerome Recreation Centre

2011-11-14T06:36:00.001-08:00

Is the current Harry Jerome Recreation Centre really a fitting tribute to Harry Jerome, one of our community’s heroes?

This is a decision for the whole community to make together. That is why I wanted Harry Jerome to be a referendum issue in this election. That is why we must restart our community engagement process.

The Harry Jerome Recreation Centre has almost reached the end of its normal life span and is badly in need of a major renovation or replacement.

A new recreation centre will:

· Last for at least 50 years, before a major renovation.
· Combine the activities from six older buildings into fewer more efficiently organized buildings.
· Save energy and use sustainable building materials and methods.
· Can be built while the old building continues to service the needs of the community.
· Increase the safety and security of both staff and our community users.
· Be eligible for senior government funding.

A renovated recreation centre will:

· Last for about 20 years.
· Use the present configuration of six buildings.
· Not meet our energy usage targets and will increase future energy bills.
· Cost 2/3 the price of a new recreation centre.

Additionally, the present building is not up to modern seismic standards. If Harry Jerome was a school, it would have been already closed as unsafe. We are being irresponsible by not acting quickly to replace this recreation centre. The buildings are also full of asbestos which makes it hard to renovate, very expensive.

This is too important a decision for Council to make without extensive public input.

We need a Harry Jerome we can all be proud of!

Bob Fearnley

Councillor Nixon suggests a forum

2011-11-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

I would suggest a Forum to gauge support or lack thereof around the DNV OCP “support” of alternate forms of housing such as Small Lot Infill, “lane-way” or backyard cottage homes, or duplex development within Single Family neighbourhoods.

New Community Learning Program

2011-11-12T18:20:00.001-08:00

The primary focus of the new community learning program is to best address the needs of students and to support student achievement. The North Vancouver School Board of Education approved a motion in April 2010 to consolidate the alternate programs to be replaced by a new program – the North Vancouver Community Learning Program. Learning diversity will be offered within the umbrella of the program; designed to support student achievement, foster social/emotional learning and enable alternate pathways to graduation. The program will provide a new image and identity that has an enhanced pedagogical foundation while retaining the best practices from all the existing alternate programs.

The question I would like to ask the community is:

“How would you ensure that the new community learning centre becomes a warm, welcoming and enriching school/community environment for our students who need alternative learning pathways. What programs –ie. Applied sciences, urban agriculture, fine arts, drama/ film, etc, would you see including?”

Best regards,

Mary Tasi
Candidate for re-election for School Trustee – City of North Vancouver

Should parts of the farm be sold off?

2011-11-11T18:12:00.003-08:00

Here is a question which I feel is relevant to discuss, both by parents affected by school closures and by the general public.

# - Under what circumstances would you consider the permanent sale of North Vancouver school district land and what would you want done with the resulting capital?

My opinion, the BinionOpinion:

There are twelve properties available to be sold and there may be a small number, due to overwhelming evidence that they do not need to be held for seventy-five years, that could eventually be reviewed for sale. In general I think it would be an exceptional circumstance to sell a property, as some of these can be retained by the Board of Education for lease periods of up to one hundred years and the properties can remain publicly owned and used to benefit the local communities in some other form. Decisions will need to be based on input, discussion and collaboration with various community partners, in particular the Ministry of Education and those communities affected by any proposed change.

Warmest Regards,

Norm Binion

Cultural Centres

2011-11-11T09:26:00.002-08:00

I have sent out an invitation to all Mayor, Councillor, and Trustee candidates running in the 2011 Municipal election to ask if they would like an opportunity to provide a topic here on the blog. Below is the first topic from incumbent CNV Clr. Candidate Pam Bookham.

I can understand the desire of the Filipino and Iranian communities to have facilities to organize events and celebrate their heritage. We are all enriched by the visible and distinct diversity of our people and their culture.

The key issue, I think, is whether there is a role for the municipal council to play in the creation of cultural centres? Let's discuss this question openly.

I support an inclusive community. I want our public spaces (HJ, JBCC,NSNH,our library, our schools and hospitals, and City Hall to be welcoming of all our residents. We all contribute to the cost of these facilities.

I support programs that reach out to newcomers and strive to overcome language and cultural barriers.

That being said, do I support tax dollars being spent on cultural centres that serve one ethnic group? No.

Do I think City Council can assist such groups in achieving their desire for a cultural centre? Yes.

Let's talk about this and other important issues.

Best regards,

Pam Bookham

Get out and Vote in North and West Vancouver!

2011-11-09T19:22:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/WestVancouverNews

City Of North Vancouver Candidate platforms on YouTube

2011-11-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja1cjLuQECM

DNV Candidate Platforms on Youtube

2011-11-08T17:34:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/whistlershaw#p/u/3/HBpBeXzNEHw

Candidate Evaluation Guide

2011-11-06T21:32:00.002-08:00

Sherril Guthrie designed a candidate evaluation guide for voters in Abbotsford which is also being used in Chilliwack, Mission, Burnaby, Delta and Surrey.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/Abbotsford+researcher+designs+election+checklist/5666512/story.html#ixzz1czJLsST1

Maybe we should have something like this for North Vancouver. This might be a way to know how the current council voted on past important issues without having to search the District Site? It should be clear and presented so the voter can make an educated decision. Many people don’t even want to vote because they have no idea who to vote for hence the low voter turnout.

A Message to District and City Councils

2011-11-03T20:47:00.010-07:00

What message do you think the outgoing 2008 -11 DNV Council and CNV Councils need to hear from the taxpayers? Would you pat them on the back or let them have it? Only a crystal ball would tell us what the configuration of these respective municipal councils will end up being on November 19 but, what would you like to give these councils to think about as their terms come to a close? Leave your message here on the blog (they do read the blog contrary to popular belief) or better still at this Monday nights ( Nov. 7th.) last regular council meeting and have your say in two minutes or less.

Where do the CNV candidates live in our community?

2011-11-02T21:24:00.004-07:00

It appears two of the CNV candidates do not actually live in the City.

2011 CNV Election more interesting

2011-10-31T20:09:00.005-07:00

Councillor Trentadue is not seeking re-election so who is most likely to take her seat? Don Bell? It seems he has a huge advantage. That said, there are 19 other candidates which makes it interesting but, Don will be the one to top. Darell Mussatto has some interesting competition especially with George Pringle who has past affiliation with former North Vancouver MP Ted White.

In the District Mayor Walton has a single challenger in Margie Goodman but, she is telling people she doesn't want to win and not to vote or support her. She says she is running to encourage a larger voter turnout and so Mayor Walton won't be acclaimed. Fair enough but, when a candidate files nomination papers they sign and agree to 'fully intend to accept the office' if elected. It is not as clear which new councillor candidate or candidates might bump out one or more of District incumbents seeking re-election but, you can bet that Little, Hicks, and Muri aren't going anywhere.

A DNV Candidate in a neighborhood near you

2011-10-31T19:47:00.003-07:00

A map of approximately where all the 2011 DNV candidates live.

FONVCA Candidate questions and answers

2011-10-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

The candidate questions and answers are now published on the FONVCA.org site.

Clark rips North Vancouver mayor over CAO review North Vancouver city manager Ken Tollstam's last peformance review: 2006

2011-10-28T20:34:00.002-07:00

COUN. Rod Clark of the City of North Vancouver is harshly criticizing Mayor Darrell Mussatto for his handling of the city manager's performance reviews.

"I've been trying for three years to get a performance review and set annual goals for the city manager," Clark said in council Monday. "A far-too-cozy relationship has developed between the city manager and the mayor. The performance review and goal-setting for the city manager is the mayor's job."

Clark called for the city to "develop policy on a timely performance review of the city manager and annual goal-setting for this position," a motion that won unanimous support. His motion follows more than a year of verbal requests in council for an update on the review policy.

Ken Tollstam has been the city's top administrator since 1993, after holding a series of other senior posts at city hall. His $254,000 annual salary is the highest of any municipal bureaucrat on the North Shore. His most recent performance review was in 2006. Other senior staff positions at the city are reviewed annually.

Clark said Tollstam himself should have sought out another review of his performance at some point over the past five years. "There has been an almost total failure of accountability for our city manager's position," Clark said.

After the meeting, Clark struck an even more combative tone. "I think it borders on negligence that council hasn't done this and I lay this right at the feet of Darrell Mussatto," Clark said. "He's been the mayor since 2005. In 2006 there was the one cursory goal-setting and review of the city manager and nothing since.

"When I initiated the calls for the review, I was assured by Darrell Mussatto that we would get a report back from him about what Ken's intentions are with respect to retirement and how we would go about a 360 review of the city manager's position. And then nothing, absolutely nothing."

Clark wouldn't say if he had any specific complaints with Tollstam's performance.

Mussatto did not comment on the motion during the council meeting, but in an interview afterwards he said Clark's timing caught him by surprise.

"We had a discussion in camera last week and I felt council heard the answers they wanted to hear, so this just came right out of the blue for me," he said.

"Council agreed last week to do a review of Mr. Tollstam and Mr. Tollstam is going to come back with options, and how other municipalities do it. We agreed on that. So it's not like anyone's trying to hide anything. We'll have a company or a process that we can look at to evaluate Mr. Tollstam."

Mussatto said he expects to see options to consider within two to three weeks, and a new council will make the final decision following the Nov. 19 elections.

Mussatto also said he thought Clark had "a good point."

"We never had a policy with (former mayors) Jack Loucks and Barbara Sharpe. Does that mean it's OK for me not to have a policy? No. I have to take as much responsibility as the rest of council in this getting to five years," he said.

Tollstam said he had no problem with a performance review. Following the consultantled review of his work in 2006, he said, the council of the day dropped the process.

"It was taking up a lot of time and effort for them - these are their comments, not mine - and they didn't feel they were getting bang for their buck," he said. "They thought the better method was to work with the mayor dayin, day-out. We always have meetings every month, just the CAO and council to talk about issues. . . . Council picks out the options they want us to focus in on, whether it's more affordable housing, something in the cultural area, pools, rinks, whatever. My mission is to make it happen."

balldritt@nsnews.com

Controversial ad by Wendy Qureshi in Outlook; Municipal Election is full on.

2011-10-28T18:47:00.007-07:00

Since the densification push in the 1990s, hundreds of condos and detached homes have been built in the District of North Vancouver. Population has increased and along with it crime, noise, litter, pollution, and traffic congestion. The tax-base gains are short-term at best and new infrastructure costs that come along with densification are borne by you–the taxpayer.

Most of these motions are passed unanimously by Council in the name of sustainable density. The developers come in, produce only market housing of which there is no shortage in the DNV, and leave with their pockets full of money.

But what about the average person who chose to live here long ago, when life in the District was laid back and tax rates were much lower? How do they feel about sitting in gridlocked traffic idling away their hard earned cash and adding pollutants to our environment? Many people drive cars out of necessity, as there have been few improvements made by TransLink on the North Shore. The three seabuses promised to be in operation before the Olympics still haven’t become a reality and in some parts of the district services have been cut back. Yet our Mayor, who is the chairman of the Mayors’ Council for Translink, voted in favour of a two cent per liter gasoline tax and he also committed to raise our property taxes to fund the Translink Evergreen Line, while we in the District of North Vancouver are left waiting in gridlock traffic as we ponder what will it be like with all the barriers, detours, and obstructions in place when the actual building under our new “sustainable” OCP is underway.

What will our communities look like with an additional 20,000 people moving to the District of North Vancouver? Currently almost every new family buying property in the DNV brings their vehicles. With only two bridges, two Seabuses and an inefficient transit system, plus an additional 10,000 vehicles, I cannot see how the words “densification and sustainability” could possibly define a better life for the majority of residents who own single family homes in the DNV. Sustainable densification is an oxymoron at best, unless you are a municipal government looking for a short term tax-base gain. Who knows what will happen when this tax base gain becomes unsustainable. Will our taxes skyrocket or do we build more centres and invite another twenty thousand or more people to live in the district? And then in the future will we need more and more centres and people, just to remain sustainable?

I attended many of the OCP public participation meetings and none of my comments were written in the hundreds and hundreds of glossy brochures paid for with our tax money. And, just previous to these so-called community input sessions, the DNV stopped advertising the council agendas and meeting dates. Instead they purchased several insertions of full page, full colour advertising in our local newspapers promoting their OCP. This is not open and transparent government. How can you fight something if you don’t know it exists? We should be encouraged to attend Council meetings, not shut out.

I am not against progress, increased population or development, these things will all happen in time anyway and without disrupting the entire District of North Vancouver for decades to come. Why do we need to bring 20,000 more people into the district if not to increase the tax base? The District is entrusted with our money to provide services to residents in our Municipality. Why do they continue to put major resources into new developments while our established infrastructure is in dire need of replacement and repair?

In the DNV we still have kilometers of antiquated asbestos-cement water mains prone to failure. Prudent minds may think why don’t we fix our outdated infrastructure first, before sinkholes appear in our streets caused by broken water mains and creating one emergency situation after another. People wake up to flooded basements and damage – and costly repairs at the expense of the homeowner. Many of our roads are patched and bumpy with manholes either above or below grade. There are ongoing trouble spots in our street network which need attention. Our traffic and transit problems must be solved before any new major development takes place.

My name is Wendy Qureshi and I’m running for Council in the District of North Vancouver.

As a councillor I will be committed to keeping our district vibrant, as it is now and work toward fixing long overdue and neglected problems. Only then we can talk about development in the district, by the people and for the people who live here now–and not for developers and outside government bodies whose interest is not necessarily best for the citizens of the District of North Vancouver.

To accomplish my platform I will need your help! Why not attend a council meeting or two or join your community association? Why not get involved in our Municipality and have your say?

Did you know that in the last municipal election only 17 per cent of the citizens in the DNV voted?

In a healthy democracy it’s people like you who come out and vote for the candidate who will serve you best. You take the time to discuss with your family, friends, and neighbours the important issues facing our communities and our District. Please get them to vote, regardless of what candidate they choose to vote for. The choice is simple: If you want high density then move to the West End or vote for all current councillors and mayor. If you want flowing traffic, safe streets for cars and cyclists, and transparency at district hall — then vote for me.

DNV Non-Alphabetical Order Ballot

2011-10-24T19:45:00.003-07:00

This is how the DNV Non-Alphabetical order ballot ended up.

It's time for voters to occupy the ballot box

2011-10-22T13:34:00.005-07:00

How many of us have these concerns, yet bemoan the fact that civic election voter turnout is so low? Robert Bransford touches down on a touchy subject in Saturday's Vancouver Sun:

*************************************************************************************
The Occupy Wall Street movement spreads across the globe, yet most people don't bother to vote in civic elections, which affect them most

Do you wonder if your kids will ever be able to afford their own home? Are you a renter wishing you could afford an apartment that's just a little bigger and in a more convenient neighbourhood?

Are you finding your daily commute is taking longer and longer?

Is traffic now congested on local streets when you drive to the grocery store?

Have property taxes and the cost of utility charges for your home climbed to a level where they are now a noticeable financial burden?

Do you often feel as though decisions are being made without your knowledge or input about changes in your neighbourhood that are literally reshaping the place you call home?

Do you worry about the sprawl that continues to gobble up land as it follows the growth of freeway expansion extending up the Fraser Valley?

Have school closures in your neighbourhood over the last few years made you wonder about the future of your community?

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, then let me ask you: What you are going to do about it?

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/time+voters+occupy+ballot/5591874/story.html#ixzz1bXreRg7h
*************************************************************************************
And Benjamin Alldritt, the North Shore News' Inquiring Reporter, asked five people on the street:
"Are you interested in this year's civic elections?

But while there’s no shortage of politicians, there are likely precious few voters paying attention. In the 2008 elections, fewer than one in five North Shore voters made it out to the polls.

Will things be different this year?

Three young people approached "on the street" replied:
"They (civic elections) do matter to me, but I should probably learn more. I don’t think local politics is very interesting, but I don’t know why."

"Generally not. I did notice someone going around handing out leaflets yesterday, but most of them just end up as litter."

"I didn’t know they (civic elections) were coming up."

*************************************************************************************

These three responses were in great contrast to two older adults/seniors. Why do you think this is, and how can we encourage our young people back to the ballot box? How does civic politics need to change? Better yet, how do our politicians need to change?

DNV Random Order Candidate Ballot

2011-10-22T12:10:00.002-07:00

Monday, 9 AM, October 24th at District Hall candidate names will be 'drawn from a hat' to determine the order they will appear on the ballot for the Nov. 19th Municipal Election

Firefighters Collective Agreement and Memorandum of understanding with CNV available online

2011-10-22T11:49:00.004-07:00

2007-2009

COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

between

THE CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER

and

NORTH VANCOUVER FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION

LOCAL 296 (I.A.F.F.)

2007-2009

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

with IAFF, LOCAL 296, Dated December 4, 2009

What makes a good candidate?

2011-10-20T19:13:00.009-07:00

So what does make a good candidate? Is it humility, critical thinking skills, honesty, empathy, learning ability, integrity, being independent, or communication skills(listening being the most important)?

Or is it a law degree, high IQ, wealth, the ability to speak well, relationships with powerful people, an encyclopedic knowledge of public policy, business experience, a background in government service, or a forceful personalty?

It turns out that maybe it is almost none of the above. I did some asking around of some engaged, local, political, personalities and the most common theme seemed to be "being independent."

It would take some research but, by checking out the 'incumbent' candidates records on how they stood and how they voted on issues, should tell you if they stuck to their positions and were truly 'independent'.

As far as new candidates are concerned, you can really only go by what they say.

Most candidates have websites and those who don't will have a contact e.mail address.

City Candidates

District Candidates

CNV and DNV list of scheduled All Candidates meetings available online

2011-10-17T17:39:00.002-07:00

DNV All Candidate Meetings

CNV All Candidates Meetings

Congratulations to all the candidates in the North Vancouver Municipal Election

2011-10-14T19:00:00.004-07:00

Wow! 21 candidates for councillor in the City, 4 for Mayor, and 4 for School Trustee. In the District there are 2 for Mayor, 12 for councillor and 5 for School Trustee.

Best of luck to all candidates!

Doling it out for democracy

2011-10-14T08:49:00.008-07:00

This article appears on page 14 of this weeks Outlook-North Vancouver.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/131627783.html

Homelessness Action Week Oct. 10 -16, 2011

2011-10-10T18:35:00.004-07:00

Last Monday night at the District regular council meeting there was a delegation from the North Shore Homelessness Task Force. The most recent homeless count on the North Shore was a minimum of 117 and that is actually down from the previous count of 123. According to SPARK, CCPA, and the Public Health Assoc. of B.C. a comprehensive poverty reduction and homelessness plan would cost British Columbians $3-4 billion per year. The cost of doing nothing to fix homelessness is at least $8 billion. Page 62 of the New DNV OCP promises to do a number of things to do with wrestling with poverty in the community such as working with senior members of levels of government.

CNV and DNV Nomination Papers Available Online

2011-10-06T18:43:00.007-07:00

If you want to see who is running in the City or the District Municipal Election on Nov. 19th. simply click on to one of the following links.

(District Hall candidates board pictured)

District nomination papers

City nomination papers

NVP.com enters competiton with Votermedia.org

2011-10-04T18:45:00.008-07:00

There was a lone speaker for the public input segment at last night's regular DNV council meeting. Mark Latham is a semi-retired economist working on voter reform with his main focus on improving voter information systems. He's developed a system called Votermedia which lets voters allocate funding to competing media (mainly blogs). He announced they will sponsor Votermedia in 5 cities, including North Vancouver. They've been been testing it at UBC's student union for 5 years now, with promising results -- see the videos at votermedia.org.

Northvancouverpolitics.com has entered the competition. You can vote for us here on the main page. Click on the link vote for NVP.com at Votermedia.org

Lawyer to run in Seymour for NDP

2011-09-28T21:06:00.002-07:00

By Benjamin Alldritt, North Shore News September 28, 2011

He won't get a chance to run for more than a year and a half, but Jim Hanson has still secured the B.C. NDP nomination in North Vancouver-Seymour.

"I believe we can do better," he said in an interview. "I have children in our school system. I'm the son of parents who are seniors on the North Shore and I have children who will be entering the labour market. I think we can do better."

Hanson, 50, is an Argyle secondary graduate and lives in the Blueridge neighbourhood

with his wife and two children. He holds law degrees from UBC and Oxford university in the U.K.

As the senior partner of Surrey's largest law firm, Hanson has represented the passengers of the doomed ferry Queen of the North, as well as suing the provincial lotteries corporation on behalf of gambling addicts.

"Jim always acts for individuals," his campaign release says, "and never for corporations. He has acted, and continues to act, for persons of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientations and occupations, and has had extensive contact with the province's less fortunate."

North Vancouver-Seymour's sitting MLA is B.C. Liberal Jane Thornthwaite.

The provincial election is scheduled for May 14, 2013.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

Politicians feeding greedingly at the public trough

2011-09-28T17:21:00.004-07:00

This from The Province newspaper today. Sue Cook on the front page. Sue used to be a regular commentor on this blog but, she has been strangely absent for some time unless of course she still comments as an 'Anonymous.'

Mayors and councillors from across the province seem to be having a grand old time in Vancouver this week for their annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention. It's undoubtedly good for the downtown hotel and beverage trade.

But, given the worrying economy, I think they should have stayed home this year and held their meetings by teleconference, saving a ton of taxpayers' money.

This, of course, is not how outgoing UBCM president Barbara Steele sees it. The Surrey councillor told me Tuesday she didn't know what the convention budget was, but said the sessions have been jam-packed.

Steele added it was important for local politicians to network and share information: "What better place to do it once a year than face to face with everybody?"

I guess it all depends on whether you're paying taxes or spending them.

North Vancouver mom Sue Lakes Cook, for example, agrees with me that the real problem with B.C. municipal governments is they're living high off the hog, while many taxpayers are not. And I agree with her we need a municipal ombudsman to protect us from them.

Cook earns $13 hourly as a customer service rep. And she's appalled at the "insane" salaries enjoyed by employees of her local municipality, the City of North Vancouver, with many earning at least double those of the folks they're supposed to be serving.

Cook is also angry at the way city staff keep fobbing her off when she queries them about expenditures. She's now asked to go before Mayor Darrell Mussatto and council to get those questions answered. And Mussatto promised Tuesday to give her that chance.

Cook, in fact, would have been an ideal speaker at the UBCM convention — not simply because her dad was a longtime North Vancouver District councillor, but because she clearly knows the value of a dollar.

"I'm probably the only person in the whole world who actually gets the budget and goes through it page by page," Cook told me, noting city staff insisted on mailing her a copy this year, at a cost of $9. Indeed, on postage alone, the city spent almost $60,000 last year.

The City of North Vancouver is the smallest of the three North Shore municipalities. But Cook points out it has 480 employees, with 143 of them making $75,000 a year or more.

City manager Ken Tollstam made $254,000 last year. And Mussatto earned $119,000, $91,000 as mayor and $28,000 as a Metro Vancouver director.

Mussatto told me that city staff salaries were in line with those of the other Metro Vancouver municipalities. However, he said, the city had many long-serving staff, which "does push up the bill."

Cook said she's particularly concerned about the hefty salaries of the 66 employees in the fire department, given there were just 84 fires to fight last year. She knows of two young firefighters who made $90,000 and $93,000, respectively. Fire Chief Barrie Penman made $171,000.

But when she asked for the department's total wages and expenses, she was told the information "was not routinely or readily available."

"I guess the thing that annoys me the most is just the way they play with me with these answers," she said. "They have absolutely no respect at all . . . I know who the serf is, and it's not those folks at city hall."

I agree with most of what Cook has to say about city hall secrecy, arrogance and unsupportably high salaries, pensions and other benefits. They're shaping up to be major issues in the coming civic elections. And that's long overdue.

jferry@theprovince.com

© Copyright (c) The Province

All Candidate Meetings, are they just a formality?

2011-09-27T09:15:00.002-07:00

From the CNV website; 'All Candidates Meetings provide an opportunity during which all candidates explain their policies and answer questions from the audience.'

Isn't it really each candidates own networking that really does or does not get the votes?

Nomination documents are available at the City and District of North Vancouver. Nomination period is Oct. 4, 2011 to Oct. 14, 2011 during regular office hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm). Statutory holidays excluded.

A list of candidates will be coming at the end of the nomination deadline on Oct. 14th, 2011.

Deadline for Advanced Elector Registration is September 27.

The CNV does not have any ACMs scheduled at this time.

All candidates meetings scheduled so far on the DNV site:

Hosted by The Association of Woodcroft Councils
Mayor & Councillors only
Thursday, November 17th
7 pm in the Capilano Room, Capilano Building,
2024 Fullerton Avenue, N.V.

Contact: Val Moller - 604.926.8063

Hosted by Edgemont and Upper Capilano Community Association
Mayor & Councillors only
Wednesday, November 16th
7 pm at Highlands United Church,
3255 Edgemont Boulevard, North Vancouver

Contact: James Walsh - 604.988.6318

A streetcar desired by CNV Councillor Bob Fearnley

2011-09-22T10:51:00.008-07:00

CNV Councillor Bob Fearnley is talking about a trolley line from Phibbs to Ambleside. CNV council has debated this in the past and decided against it. Has this issue become part of the 'silly season'?

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/130295453.html

Resident to challenge Walton for mayor’s chair

2011-09-22T10:01:00.004-07:00

November 19 is almost here and at least one District of North Vancouver resident is determined not to let Mayor Richard Walton weather another election season alone.

Margie Goodman, 67, of Deep Cove announced her candidacy for the mayor’s chair to The Outlook on Monday.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/130295128.html

Councillor Rod Clark mostly at odds with his CNV colleagues

2011-09-21T09:30:00.005-07:00

Councillor Rod Clark had 3 out of his 5 motions on density, twinning, and the election go to defeat.

http://www.nsnews.com/news/Clark+loses+density+election+twinning/5420961/story.html#ixzz1YbUuenhI

Bob Rae and the Ghost of Charlottetown

2011-09-20T00:18:00.000-07:00

A common lament is that if not for his record as premier of Ontario, Bob Rae would make a great leader. It is said in this regard that he a good debater, charismatic, well spoken, and funny. He is all that and his decision to focus on the big issues rather than minor scandals is a freshening change. But Rae is also emblematic of everything that is wrong with the Liberal party.

Rae has always been an enthusiastic backer of a asymmetrical federalism, collective rights, and equity, i.e., affirmative action. His support for all three shape his ideas about what the Liberal party is and should continue to be.

The first two are wholly inconsistent with Pearson Trudeau tradition and make a mockery of the Liberal's attempt to draw a line from them to present times. Worse, support for both has real political consequences that the Liberals are blissfully unaware of.

Indeed, the Liberals have never fully absorbed what happened to Liberal level of support in Western Canada following the 1974 election. Some blamed the NEP and others have even claimed the gun registry played a part. The latter claim is ridiculous. The gun registry had no impact on the Liberals share of the popular vote or their seat totals. Most important of all it was passed 16 years after the Liberals first showed a significant decline in their level of support. As for the former, the chronology is also wrong. It was the fact that the Liberal vote collapsed in Western Canada in 1979 that paved the way for the NEP politically and not the other way around. The NEP was introduced after the 1980 election. The Liberals took 1 seat in the three most western provinces in 1979 election and 0 in 1980.

The source of the collapse was the more emphasis Trudeau placed on individual rights and a commitment to linguistic equality the more the rest of the country, particularly the West, resented the Liberals' inability to put a stop to bill 178 and and 101 and its willingness to make special accommodations for Quebec. Quebec's Official Language Act spelled doom for the Liberals in Western Canada from the mid 70s until collapse of the Progressive Conservatives in 1993. Ironically, it was the Mulroney's willingness to go even further in pandering to Quebec, particularly the Charlottetown Accord, that gave the Liberals some life again. 60.2% Albertans voted against the Charlottetown Accord, and 68.3% of British Colombians did. The later figure was by far the highest in country and the voter turn out in BC was second only to Quebec.

Let the "coalition" be a warning to the Liberals; these feelings are still deeply felt in "Western" Canada. The Liberals need to learn from history. They need to vigorously oppose the NDP's flirtation with extending bill 101 to federal intuitions in Quebec and their suggestion that Quebec's share of the House of Commons be fixed at 25%.

Is it possible that all North Shore mayors will be acclaimed in November?

2011-09-16T08:33:00.005-07:00

Will the North Vancouver November Municipal elections at the Mayoral level be another snore fest? Darrell Mussatto and Richard Walton, mayors of the City and District of North Vancouver respectively, were unopposed in 2008. With two months to this years municipal elections will anyone step up to the plate? The two candidates who were going to challenge Richard Walton for his seat in 2008 both backed out at the last minute.

Even in West Vancouver it is slow so far. Former Coun. Vivian Vaughan has mused about a run for Mayor but, on further musing, likely will run for a council seat instead. Only Coun. Michael Smith seeks the office of Mayor with Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones leaving.

A Question of Ethics for Municipal politicians

2011-09-12T09:07:00.006-07:00

Even though Premier Christy Clark about faced and quashed the idea of an Autumn election, previously DNV Councillor Mike Little 'confirmed his interest' to run in North Van-Seymour and CNV Councillor Craig Keating was nominated for North Van-Lonsdale. Is it a question of ethics for municipal politicians to attempt to re-elect themselves when obviously they have designs on moving up the political ladder causing by-elections? Would it be the right ethical decision for Mr. Keating and Mr. Little not to run this November, allowing other candidates to vie for their seats, who on behalf of those voters who cast a ballot for them, do intend to complete their 3 year municipal terms?

In North Van, slow growth would be a welcome development

2011-09-08T09:41:00.003-07:00

There is a lot of truth in this letter to the editor.

Dear Editor (NS News, Sept. 7th):

There is no shortage of voices from the density wilderness, but the majority are overpowered by those of the pro-development lobby: made up of developers themselves, municipal councillors, and City Hall bureaucracy.

Most councillors gladly accept donations from developers at election time. It is no surprise, then, that they happily nix the Official Community Plan and obligingly rezone at their behest.

Likewise, our bureaucracy is dependent on development fees and the higher taxes that can be collected from higher density developments to support their overstaffed departments and handsome salaries. Municipal unions also donate generously to most councillors at election time, meaning councillors and bureaucrats are very much on the same page.

The general public is too busy earning a living to take much interest in civic politics. They readily accept the myth that new developments provide affordable housing for young families, seniors and low-income earners of the North Shore, in addition to the myth that it is greener than low density.

Conveniently overlooked is the fact that higher density will mean thousands of additional automobiles idling at traffic bottlenecks, especially at the approaches to North Shore's two bridges.

What is really needed here is a slow-growth party to field a slate of candidates come election time.

Reimar Kroecher North Vancouver

Building for density without the proper infrastructure in place, first, is asking for trouble. Growing development along the Sea to Sky Corridor can also be added to the mix of growing density. We are simply at the mercy of our two bridges across the strait.

The Mountain Biking Issue keeps coming back

2011-08-29T19:08:00.006-07:00

An article in the North Shore News titled 'A Different Track' back on Aug. 14th covered a story on how volunteers are trying to 'improve' the local mountain biking trails but, that there's also the underlying issue that some residents feel the sport is destructive to the mountain forest ecology. A letter to the editor ensued in response to the story on August 24th (North Van forests on trail to ruin) which explains some of the fundamental destruction the author believes is occurring. Environmentalists and the mountain bikers have been arguing back and forth for years with the mountain bikers espousing 'the trails should be for all' while the environmentalists exclaim the trails being made and maintained are 'anything but for all'.

Janice Harris to run in November election?

2011-08-24T18:07:00.002-07:00

It's strictly rumour at this point but it's out there that Janice Harris is considering running again in the November municipal election in the District of North Vancouver. Janice did not run in the last election in 2008 after having served approximately 18 years in the District as a councillor and a short stint as Mayor after Don Bell decided to vacate the seat and run successfully as a Federal MP for the constituency of North Vancouver.

Half of 3 million HST ballots returned

2011-08-11T19:01:00.001-07:00

VICTORIA – More than 1.6 million voters sent in their ballots for B.C.'s referendum on the harmonized sales tax, a participation rate that matches the 51 per cent turnout for the 2009 B.C. election.

Elections BC sent out just over three million ballot packages starting in June, then extended the deadline for returning them by two weeks after a labour dispute at Canada Post delayed distribution.

Temporary staff at Elections BC are working seven days a week in two shifts, intending to have the ballots verified and counted by the end of August. A simple majority of votes cast will decide whether B.C. keeps the HST and lowers the rate by two points to 10 per cent in the next three years, or reinstates the former seven per cent provincial sales tax on top of the five per cent federal GST.

Acting chief electoral officer Craig James said the time extension increased the cost of the referendum by $500,000 but the total cost is estimated to be $8.9 million, well under the initial estimate of $12 million.

The only other mail-in referendum in B.C. was the 2002 vote on aboriginal treaty principles, which saw a return of 790,182 votes, about one third of the total sent out.

MLA Ralph Sultan's AGM

2011-08-09T17:08:00.001-07:00

Mr. Sultan just held his AGM and was said to be 'in full control' of it. There have been some rumours that West Vancouver's Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones might be interested in his position as MLA for Capilano - West Vancouver.

North Van councillor considers Liberal nomination

2011-07-18T16:14:00.003-07:00

July 7, 2011

North Vancouver city councillor Mike Little has confirmed he's considering running for the provincial Liberal nomination in North Vancouver-Seymour. That riding is presently held by party MLA Jane Thornthwaite. Speaking with Public Eye, Mr. Little stressed such a run is dependent on the Liberals allowing incumbent candidates like Ms. Thorntwaite to be challenged. Moreover, he said, "I have no interest in embarrassing the current candidate or the party and I want to work with them."

"I've known her for quite a long time," the councillor continued. "As long as she's been involved in politics I've been dealing with her. But there are a lot of people in the community who think it would be a good role for me and I'm considering my options. Likewise, if the party doesn't allow a challenge then I will still be on council and she will still be my MLA and I will still work with her."

http://www.publiceyeonline.com/archives/006211.html

North Shore 2011 Consumer Advocacy Group Seeks new Membership

2011-06-22T18:46:00.005-07:00

The Harmonized Sales Tax is a hastily planned taxation system. British Columbia has one of the highest costs of living conditions in Canada.

On June 21, 2011, Gary Hee, announced future plans to initiate the North Shore 2011 Consumer Advocacy Group in North Vancouver, B.C. The primary purpose of the Group is to analyze, record and document,and emphasize the cost effects of the Harmonized Sales Tax charged on taxable items purchased by individuals and families. News media organizations will be informed of the Group's findings by press releases when evidence is available.

The secondary purpose of the Group is to watch for, highlight, and prevent future government plans or intentions to tax HST on the sale of existing older homes and related renovation construction projects.

This not-for-profit organization is seeking new members. Students up to seniors are welcomed. Other chapters will be formed in the future. A steering committee will manage the policies and mandate of the Group.

A suggested membership fee of $12.00 per year is voluntary or by donation.

Mailing address is Suite 460, 1641 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC, V7M 2J5

Contact by email: garyhee@hotmail.com

DNV Considering Random ballots

2011-06-07T16:13:00.004-07:00

So the DNV wants to experiment with random names instead of alphabetical order on the ballots. If the premise is that the bias tends to be for the names at the top of the ballots or closer to the beginning of alphabetical order, then Roger might not be happy and you might not have to think Big. Will it make any difference?

HICKS, Robin

MURI, Lisa

LITTLE, Mike

GILMOUR, John

BASSAM, Roger

NIXON, Alan

WALTON, Richard

MACKAY-DUNN, Doug

BACK, Holly

A FIREMAN, Unknown

QURESHI, Wendy

Speaking of who, has anyone heard of other random names who might be running in this November's Municipal Election?

DNV council unanimous in support of OCP

2011-06-05T11:16:00.010-07:00

I sat in on last Monday's regular council meeting to hear what DNV council had to say about item 8.2 OCP Bylaw 7900, 2011 - Consideration of third reading.

It came as little surprise that council was unanimous on approving the OCP except for some slight considerations. They all praised the efforts of staff, OCP round table members, and the public for their participation in the process of the last two years.

Counc Doug MacKay-Dunn singled himself out somewhat by calling for a "blue-ribbon committee" on the 'A word' ( Amalgamation) and I sensed other council members sat uneasily through that part of his speech. Do I also sense a MacKay-Dunn November election platform?

Counc. Nixon called for a committee to monitor the goals of the OCP.

Most councillors touched on the 5000 members of the the public who attended the OCP process and concurred on this figure save for a lack of young families involved even though some speakers at the public hearing the previous week expressed concern it was really more like 1500-2000 public participants.

I felt better about agenda item 3.2 Day of the Honey Bee - May 29th, 2011

Council could adopt the OCP document as soon as June 27th with Metro Vancouver Approval.

Senate Reform Bad for BC Bad for North Vancouver

2011-06-04T12:50:00.002-07:00

Reformers held that the regions needed more say and an "equal" “effective” and “elected” senate was the best way of achieving a balance between population centers in Eastern Canada and the rest of us. However, such a conception, and for that matter an "effective" version of the current senate, does not stand up to scrutiny. The problem is fivefold.

First such an argument rests on a false contrast; seats in the House of Commons are supposed to be assigned on basis of population, but that is not the case. Consider the 905. There are currently 4 plus million living in the 905 and there are currently 32 seats for an average of just over 127,000 people per riding. There are 6 ridings with over a 140,000 people in the 905, Bramalea - Gore - Malton (152,698) Brampton West (170,422) Halton (151,943), Mississauga - Erindale (143,361) Oak Ridges - Markham (169,642) and Vaughan (154,206). By contrast there are 4.5 million people in Sask, Man, NWT, Nuv, Yuk, PEI, NS, NFLD, and NB and there are 62 seats for an average of 72,000 people per riding. Moreover, there is but one riding in the 9, Selkirk Interlake (90,807), with over 90,000 people.

Second, the people living in Canada’s less populated provinces have a mechanism to assure that regional concerns are addressed; it is called provincial jurisdiction and provincial representation. By the very nature of living in a province with a small population, the 135,851 people in PEI have plenty of ways of addressing regional concerns that are not available to, for example, the 136 470 people living in Mississauga - Brampton South.

The third reason is a province is no more or less than the people that make up that province. Giving the 135,851 in PEI the power to determine everything under provincial jurisdiction, provincial representation and 4 MPs well all the while giving the 170, 422 residents of Brampton West one MP is bad enough as it is. Having one "effective" Senator for every 72,997 New Brunswick residents (10 senators in total) versus one Senator for every 685, 581 BC residents (6 senators in total) is just piling on.

Four, as Benjamin Franklin put it, having two equally matched houses makes as much sense as tying two equally matched horses to either end of a buggy and having them both pull. Having two houses is a recipe for political gridlock and pork barrel politics.

Five, leaving aside the fact that no province has a second chamber, most having abolished them long ago, and that there are numerous examples of unicameral nation states (e.g., New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, South Korea and Portugal), we already have a de facto unicameral state as it is -- just ask the supporters of a Triple E senate. After all, one can not argue on the one hand that the current senate is undemocratic and so contributes to the "democratic deficit" and on the other hand argue that the senate is “ineffective”. A body that adds nothing to the genuinely "effective" process can not take away anything either.

North Vancouver MLA defends HST cut

2011-05-27T09:08:00.002-07:00

The following is a portion of a North Shore News article by Tessa Holloway, May 26, 2011. For full article please use the link provided.

...'The changes are a last-ditch effort to sway public opinion ahead of the HST referendum, and, according to North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite, also an acknowledgement the tax added “unforeseen extra costs” for families by shifting the tax burden from business to consumers.

“That’s why it was a rebalancing of the priorities,” she said when asked about the tax shift back to business. “With the premier coming in and wanting to make sure everything we do benefits families . . . obviously she wanted to intervene and fix it.”...

Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/news/North+Vancouver+defends/4845404/story.html#ixzz1NZNaIst6

Historic DNV OCP Vote Monday, May 16th 5 PM

2011-05-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not be aware, on May 16th it is planned that Council will vote to close further debate on replacing the OCP. When this vote happens, it will be an historic one for all residents in the DNV. Council's stated intent is to replace an outdated OCP (and notably its troublesome "low density" and "low growth" undertakings as embedded in our Local Area Plans). In their view, Council and DNV staff would replace our existing OCP with one that is "more flexible" and which provides "guidelines" rather than actually controls DNV development.

Specifically, on the planned May 16th vote,
"Recommendation: THAT the May 16, 2011 Public Hearing be Closed ... " see http://www.dnv.org/upload/documents/Council_PH/110516PHAGN.htm

... and for the May 16th "Meeting Agenda and Reports" ... see http://www.dnv.org/upload/documents/Council_PH/110516PH.pdf

One of the new OCP's " ... stated intents is to identify 10,000 new housing units, equalling an additional 20,000 residents ... The plan lists Lynn Valley (2500 new units), Lower Lynn (3000 new units), Capilano/Marine (2000 new units) and Maplewood (1500 new units) as the primary growth areas ..." see: http://www.nsnews.com/business/District+North+Vancouver+seeks+input/4409561/story.html#ixzz1LtwCgoP7 (North Shore News, March 9, 2011 ... and "DNV Identity 2030" document for "new unit counts"). Interestingly, the DNV website lists our total population as 82,562 people, so the plan is for a 25% increase. Is such an increase truly what DNV residents and voters want? What they deserve? Is this a realistic plan?

Apparently, the new OCP's "new unit" counts are in addition to developments that have already been approved, and will happen regardless of future single- and multi-family development on the Tsleil-Waututh Nation lands (the present large and growing Ravenwoods Development) and Squamish Nation lands (new development).

It is my view that the 'new' OCP ignores the "new" infrastructure needed to support the planned density increases, much of which will very significantly affect the already over-taxed northern-end of the 2nd Narrows Bridge, which is controlled by the BC Highways Department and not the DNV. (i.e. most of the OCP's 20,000 new residents, plus another 1400 for the already-approved Fern Street development, plus whatever additional residents are added at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation's Ravenwoods development) And what about increased public transit, which is controlled by Metro Transit? And added hospital beds, which are controlled by the Health Authority? And what about added Community Centres, which finally is something we (DNV) pay for directly? If the DNV hasn't planned properly for the added infrastructure required, how can any added density be claimed to be "sustainable growth"? Who pays, well-planned or not? ... you and I do in our taxes - provincial and municipal - and with a diminshed quality of life. I also believe that adding density to accommodate 20,000added residents will do nothing to make housing more affordable on the North Shore. Housing prices are regional, and nothing that is presently being done anywhere in the Lower Mainland can turn the tide of ever-higher real estate prices against the 50,000 to 60,000 new residents every year who are calling Metro Vancouver home.

Regardless of your opinion on whether this Council should change our OCP as they plan, BRING A FRIEND AND ATTEND THE MEETING. This apparently will be the last chance for our voices to be heard in the OCP debate.

Please, plan on attending the Council meeting 5:00 pm May 16th at Council offices, 355 West Queens Road.

Written by Anonymous

Saxton takes close to half of North Vancouver vote

2011-05-03T21:31:00.003-07:00

By Jeremy Shepherd, North Shore News May 3, 2011

Saxton won the riding with 28,998 votes, taking almost 49 per cent of the total.
Saxton defeated Liberal challenger Taleeb Noormohamed, who finished with 17,665 votes. NDP candidate Michael Charrois finished in third place with 9,618 votes.
All numbers are unofficial until certified by Elections Canada. Asked what Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s first majority government will mean for him, Saxton replied: “It means that maybe I’ll start looking for an apartment in Ottawa.”
Saxton attributed the Conservative victory to Harper’s leadership during what Saxton called, “The great recession.” Saxton thanked the three levels of government in North Vancouver for working together through different political affiliations to support infrastructure in the riding. Shaking hands under a black and blue sky, Saxton said he looked forward to working with the new official Opposition led by NDP leader Jack Layton. “I work out with him in the same gym in Ottawa and I can tell you he’s a feisty guy, and he’ll keep us on our toes.” Asked if he slept the night before the election, Saxton said: “I did sleep last night, but I may not sleep tonight,” before offering to buy a drink for all his supporters and campaign workers.

Taleeb Noormohamed, holding court in a noticeably more sombre campaign office just up the street, attributed his loss to the division among moderates and left-wing voters. “If progressive-minded folks had rallied together, we would’ve taken this riding by a large number,” he said. Asked about the future of Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, Noormohamed said the party needs to go in another direction. “It comes down to connecting with Canadians,” he said. “It’s pretty clear the party needs to revitalize itself.” Noormohamed, who had just congratulated Saxton on winning after a “clean campaign,” said Saxton’s first priority should be freeing the North Vancouver man who’s been in a jail in Mexico without trial for three years. “I think job 1 is to get Pavel Kulisek home,” he said.

NDP candidate Michael Charrois had a one-word summation of his party’s performance in becoming the official Opposition: “Wow.” “We’ve increased 100 per cent,” he said.
Asked about the drop in support for the Liberal party, Charrois said Ignatieff was unable to rise above the image Conservatives painted of the party leader. “Harper framed Ignatieff, and he couldn’t get out of the frame,” he said. Asked about acrimony on the campaign trail, Charrois said he’s learned to take things in stride. “Take a breath, it’s not personal.” Despite the loss, Charrois said his campaign isn’t over. “It’s not over till we clean up. Just like camping, leave no trace,” he said, referring to campaign signs and posters.

Despite finishing with just five per cent of the riding’s votes, Green Party candidate Greg Dowman was jubilant following the election. “We made it,” he said, discussing Green Party leader Elizabeth May’s victory in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding. “It was the dedication of Elizabeth and her crew, and they just pounded it,” he said. Dowman attributed May’s victory to an increasing number of voters looking for leadership on environmental issues like climate change. Dowman said he hoped for a greater sense of accountability in government and greater decorum in Parliament, which he said had been characterized by “childish” behaviour. “These guys are throwing mud pies at each other,” he said.Dowman said he was optimistic for his chances in the next election. “Given an improvement in the machinery, we can do even better next time.”

jshepherd@nsnews.com

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

Harper and Health Care

2011-04-28T00:39:00.006-07:00

I thought health care would have driven more of the debate on the North Shore.

Canadian Press. "Harper also said co-payments by patients, user fees and delisting of some Medical services would help repair the Health System"

Research conclusively shows that user fees drive costs up not down. People do go to the doctor less often, but that is the problem. Many small treatable aliments go undiagnosed until they become more serious and much more costly to treat and people with chronic diseases visit the doctor far less than is good for themselves or the health care system.

Of course, there is one thing Canada can do to greatly reduce health care costs and both the NDP and Liberals are least partially receptive to idea, but which Stephen Harper has never had any time for and that is a national pharmacare program.

"For the past 20 years, prescription medications have been the fastest-growing segment of health-care spending: according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), from 1985 to 2007, the share of drugs in the total health expenditure increased from 9.5% to 16.5%; last year the drug bill totalled a whopping $30 billion."

But rather than seek ways to keep costs down, the evidence suggests that government has for years continuously and consciously overpaid. Part of the problem, it seems, is that drug coverage is fragmented — government picks up about 45% of the tab while private insurers and individuals pay the rest — which has acted as a disincentive. Instead of bargaining with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices, says Marc-André Gagnon, an assistant professor at Carleton University's School of Public Policy and Administration, "the whole pricing system is based on the idea that we need to artificially inflate costs to create a more business-friendly environment." (In exchange for higher prices, drug companies pledged to invest at least 10% of Canadians sales on research and development.) But as he argues in a recent paper, this practice has raised prices without prompting significant spinoff investment: Canada now pays up to 40% more for drugs than other industrialized countries. (He estimates that adopting a national pharmacare program would save an estimated $10.7 billion annually."

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/managing/strategy/article.jsp?content=20101025_10022_10022

You would think that a man who spent 3 years heading up an organization dedicated to the destruction of public health care and two more years as VP would know more about health care economics, but I guess we should not expect too much of him given his views about higher education.

Stephen Harper "I think we're vastly over-invested in universities. Universities should be relatively small"

Ignatieff should have mentioned Harper's "Separation, Alberta-style: It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada."

2011-04-18T15:06:00.003-07:00

Ignatieff was in North Vancouver yesterday. A sizable crowd came out to see him speak. One of the issues he spoke about was Stephen Harper's claim that a Conservative majority is the only answer to Quebec separatism. He said the Conservatives are fear mongering and he is right. They are. However, I was disapointed in his response. After all, leaving aside the fact that most Quebecers hate Harper guts and a Harper majority would likely increase support for separation, Harper record leaves a lot to be desired.

This is a man who wrote a paper called "Separation, Alberta-style: It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada."

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/09/stephen-harper-and-canada-a-love-story-iv/

This is a man who said Albertans had a lot to learn from Quebec Separatists.

"It is to take the bricks and begin building another home -- a stronger and much more autonomous Alberta. It is time to look at Quebec and to learn. What Albertans should take from this example is to become "maitres chez nous."

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/09/stephen-harper-and-canada-a-love-story-iv/

This is a man who held up Belgium, a country on the verge of breaking up, as a model for Canada

"I think we should look at more creative ways of dealing with some of the demands for change in the country," Harper said. "I used the Belgium model."
... "I want my party to consider how this model could be adopted to Canada," Harper said in a prepared text of the speech.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20041019/harper_belgium_041019/

This is a man who has repeatedly denigrated Canadian public opinion.

"Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status, .... "

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/09/stephen-harper-and-canada-a-love-story-iv/

"Any country with Canada’s insecure smugness and resentment can be dangerous".

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/09/stephen-harper-and-canada-a-love-story-iv/

"We [Alberta] are the only province in Canada keeping pace with the top tier countries in the world. Now we must show that we will not stand for a second-tier country run by a third-world leader with fourth-class values."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2011/04/the-harper-quotes-dossier-a-sample.html

"Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it"

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SpecialEvent7/20051213/elxn_harper_speech_text_051214/

And this is man who downplayed the importance of a yes vote for separation and said it was of secondary importance to him.

"Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly, secondary in my opinion"

Mayor and council respond to Irwin's letter.

2011-04-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

OCP process a careful balancing act
North Shore News April 16, 2011

Dear Editor:

This letter is written in response to the April 8 letter to the editor, Say Goodbye to North Van's Character.

The District of North Vancouver's official community plan engagement process began two years ago with one of the fundamental goals being to encourage community participation and input. In response to this invitation more than 5,000 participants from across the district have been involved in over 75 consultation events. Based on that input and with the guidance of a citizen's advisory group created to ensure that the draft plan reflected the input received, a draft plan has been prepared that council will be soon be considering through the public hearing process.

With any updated OCP, there is bound to be a variety of views, however the discussion should be based on the facts, not misrepresentations. In last Friday's letter, the author refers to approvals of "a 600-unit high-rise project in Seymour pushed through despite the support of a meagre four per cent of the residents, an 11-storey high-rise in Parkgate approved despite an almost riotous public hearing, and a high-rise apartment complex at Capilano Road and Paisley in Edgemont, opposed by 98.6 per cent of the community."

The 600 medium- and high-rise complex which includes rental and affordable housing units is in Lower Lynn, not Seymour, and was well supported by the local community. The 11-storey building in Parkgate is a much needed seniors complex and there were both supporters and detractors for the project at the public hearing, which was quite civil rather than "almost riotous." The Edgemont project was three stories consisting of 14 units on Capilano Road, a major transit route.

The author of the letter goes on to allege a hidden agenda in favour of development, sweeping plans to change single-family neighbourhoods, and an unwillingness to listen to the residents. Council's recent down-zoning of two commercial areas in Seymour in response to resident concerns; the intent of the OCP to focus any significant density and growth to four village/town centres in the district in order to meet housing needs while preserving the single-family character in the balance of the district; the integration of the current nine area plans into the OCP and an unprecedented community engagement process simply don't square with the allegations.

Council is very mindful of the careful balance that must be achieved in order to make changes that preserve and sustain the quality of life our residents are so passionate about. Many who have participated in the OCP process to date believe that it will achieve just that. There is still time to learn more about the OCP and get involved. Find out more at www.identity.dnv.org.

Mayor and council

Say goodbye to North Van's character

2011-04-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

By Jerome Irwin, North Shore News April 7, 2011

Dear Editor:

A seriously flawed communication process over development exists between the District of North Vancouver's mayor and council and many of its homeowners and community resident associations -- especially those opposed to what they contend has consistently been a hidden agenda that time and again favours excessive, unwelcomed development, often in arrogant defiance of the community's expressed wishes and overwhelming objections.

Examples abound of the severe disconnect that exists between mayor and council and those they're supposed to represent: a 600-unit high-rise project in Seymour, pushed through despite the support of a meagre four per cent of the residents; an 11-storey high-rise tower in Parkgate, approved despite an almost riotous public hearing; a high-rise apartment complex at Capilano Road and Paisley in Edgemont, opposed by 98.6 per cent of the community; are a few of many glaring examples.

Yet the district's mayor and council continue to deny that any hidden agenda exists behind its numerous pro-development decisions. Yet there is a serious breach of trust between Mayor Richard Walton's council and those who've all but given up trying to petition the district to truly listen and respond to their frustrated desire to protect and preserve their ever-diminishing iconic North Shore way of life, one that originally drew them to live here and cherish, passionately, the heritage and rich character of their single-family neighbourhoods, the lush trees and pristine natural world around them, and their quiet, traffic-calmed residential streets.

My Lower Capilano neighbours tell me: "We won't waste our time anymore objecting to the district's development plans, because they've already made up their minds." "Development's a slam-dunk." "Nothing we can say or do will change anything." "You can't trust them." "We have the weakest council we've ever had when it comes to fighting for a liveable quality of life." "The district's bylaws, building codes and development plans are designed to be twisted in favour of development."

The recent unveiling of the goals and objectives in the second draft of the district's new official community plan should be the subject of a district-wide referendum -- hopefully rescinding them, or the pressure for high-density development will ramp up big time.

The OCP's sweeping neighbourhood and housing action plans and its proposed village and town centres in the Lower Capilano-Marine Drive, Lynn Valley and Maplewood areas suggest a potentially nightmarish reality, one that will seriously challenge the West End of Vancouver for the title Canada's densest urban environment.

If things go as dreaded, it's goodbye to the North Shore way of life beloved by hopeful dreamers.

Jerome Irwin

North Vancouver

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

John Weston and the Gun Registry

2011-04-04T12:59:00.001-07:00

John Weston:

"We all support the licensing of people who own firearms and the registration of prohibited or restricted weapons (such as handguns). That's not going to change; this Conservative government is unwavering in that. We know full well that criminals don't register their guns and that's what makes the long gun registry wasteful and ineffective,"

http://www.nsnews.com/news/Chief+Const+Lepine+Save+registry/3539157/story.html

Criminals can not register their guns. Being able to register a gun presupposes that one has a Possession and Acquisition Licence and a criminal record is grounds for being denied a PAL and for a PAL being revoked. However, this does not mean that some criminals do not try to register their guns. "More than 1,500 Canadians were refused licences for their guns from 2006-2009, on the basis of background checks triggered when they went to register the weapons." The most common reason for denying these gun owners a license was that they were a risk to others. "The program revoked another 6,093 licences in the same period as a result of continuous screening, court orders and complaints to its public safety line. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/gunregistry/article/863178--why-gun-control-is-really-a-gender-issue?bn=1

Semantics aside, Weston's argument does not make much sense. Car thieves can not register their ill gotten goods with ICBC either, but I do see anyone giving this as a reason for not having to register cars. To make matters worse for Weston, it is impossible for him to on the one hand throw his support behind registering "prohibited or restricted weapons (such as handguns)" and on the other hand demand that long guns no longer be registered. After all, the reason he gives for the latter is that criminals do not register their guns. So, he should be calling for the entire registry to be abolished. Weston can not have his cake and eat it too.

Weston:

"This is a big distraction. It has been politicized. There is an unfortunate need for the Liberals to defend their waste of the $2 billion by continually coming up with justifications.

The Conservatives like to hammer the Liberals over the cost of the gun registry and rightly so. That said, the gun registry's 1 billion dollar price tag does not have any baring on whether long guns should be registered. What matters is whether the annual cost (between 1.5 and 4 million dollars) of registering long guns is worth it. Implying that the initial cost over runs justify dumping any part of the gun registry now is akin to saying the gazebo in Tony Clement's riding should be blown up because the Conservatives spent 1.3 Billion on a three day conference . http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/liberal-staffer-accuses-tories-of-trying-to-discredit-auditor-general/article1667099/ It makes no sense.

Now as for the justifications the Liberals have given for continuing to register long guns, other than to point out that the fact that the gun registry is used x number of times each day by the police, the Liberals have said remarkably little about the gun registry over the years. Their refusal to say much more has hurt them. They would have been in much better place had the continually come up with justifications.

Moving on, it is rich of Weston to imply that the Liberals have politicized the issue more than other parties. Not only have the Liberals not continually come up with justifications, they have spent a fraction of the Conservatives have on the issue. The Conservatives have spent money on radio ads and billboards. The Liberals have not. Not much has changed since Weston made these comments. The Conservatives were first ones to raise the issue this election and seem to be the only party wanting to talk about it.

Weston:

"This is a big distraction. It has been politicized. There is an unfortunate need for the Liberals to defend their waste of the $2 billion by continually coming up with justifications.
There's an Angus Reid poll that says 72 per cent of Canadians want the registry scrapped. There was a nationwide survey of rank-and-file police officers that said 92 per cent of them thought the registry was ineffective."

In 2006 Conservative candidate form Ajax Pickering famously said “The facts don’t matter.” I see John Weston is of the same mindset.

The auditor general put the cost of the gun registry at just under 1 billion, no Angus Reid poll ever showed those numbers and and this so called nationwide survey of rank and file police officers was chat room poll and so was no more scientific than Ted White's many "polls". My hat goes off to the North shore News for pointing this out.

"Setting up the registry ran notoriously over budget, reaching nearly $1 billion, according to the federal auditor general."

"In fact, the Aug. 24 Angus Reid poll of 1,005 Canadians reported that 44 per cent favoured scrapping the registry, with 35 per cent opposed and 21 per cent unsure. The police survey was an unscientific online poll conducted by an Edmonton officer on a police chat forum. The forum's operator later disavowed the survey, calling the results "mixed and inconclusive."

http://www.nsnews.com/news/Chief+Const+Lepine+Save+registry/3539157/story.html

By the way, one of the most recent poll showed this.

"Overall, 48 per cent of those surveyed believe it's a bad idea to abolish the registry, with 38 per cent supporting its abolition. (Harris/Decima interviewed just over 1000 Canadians. A sample of this size has a margin of error of 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.)"

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/gunregistry/article/863178--why-gun-control-is-really-a-gender-issue?bn=1

John Weston:

"The answer remains that we don't have any documented cases -- that I know of -- where the registry has performed its avowed purpose," he said. "In each case, if you look closely the registry would not have saved the victim. It's not doing its job. All it's doing is intruding on the liberties of Canadian farmers, duck hunters, and other law-abiding gun owners."

The gun registry is, first and foremost a tool for seizing guns from people who should no longer have them. I doubt even Weston would deny that it makes the seizure of guns easier. This was the thrust of what West Vancouver police chief Lepine said.

"Having a detailed inventory of the 4,029 registered firearms in West Vancouver helps police with court-ordered seizures of weapons from convicted offenders, said Lepine. If legally held weapons are stolen and eventually surface somewhere in the criminal economy, the registry records give officers a place to start in their investigation, he said.

"The next one is public safety. We get calls from mental-health providers saying 'We're concerned about a particular individual.' We'll do that check and go and seize (their firearms) so they don't harm themselves or someone else."

http://www.nsnews.com/news/Chief+Const+Lepine+Save+registry/3539157/story.html

The problem is that Weston refuses to acknowledge that sometimes legally registered weapons need to be seized because the owner has, for example, been convicted of a crime. In this he is not alone; I have yet to hear a Conservative acknowledge that there have been thousands of "Canadian farmers, duck hunters", who acquired a criminal record over the last 12 years and over the next 12 years there will be thousands more.

As for specific examples, Weston must not have looked very hard.

“I think we've probably prevented some major events,” says Dr. Barbara Kane, a psychiatrist in Prince George, B.C. The RCMP has called Kane asking whether she is concerned about certain individuals applying to register a gun. She believes such a call prevented tragedy after a millworker was fired.

“He could easily have gone into one of the mills and done something bad,” she says. “But we were able to get his guns away from him.”

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/gunregistry/article/863178--why-gun-control-is-really-a-gender-issue?bn=1

North Vancouver: Liberal Chances

2011-03-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Liberal share of the popular vote in North Vancouver fell 5% in 2008 and Don Bell suffered his first ever defeat. However, Bell should hold his head high. He faired far better than most Lowermainland Liberal candidates. To wit

Burnaby New West - 14.52
Vancouver Kingsway - 14.43
Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission - 13.63
Burnaby Douglas - 13.61
New West Coquitlam - 12.3
Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam - 12.26
Langley - 11.99
Richmond - 11.98
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country - 10.89
Delta Richmond East -9.9
South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale - 9.77
Vancouver South - 9.57
Vancouver Center - 9.37
Vancouver East -6.19
Fleetwood-Port Kells -5.5
North Vancouver -5.04
Surrey North -4.58
Vancouver Quarda -3.57
Newton-North Delta 2.17
Abbotsford 3.6

Moreover, one look at a 2008 election map shows North Vancouver to be a real outlier. The Liberals decline was not nearly as marked in Surrey as it was in the ridings close to North Vancouver. It was down 5.5% Fleetwood-Port Kells, 4.58% in Surrey North and up 2.17% in Newton North Delta. By contrast, the Liberal vote was down 13.61% in Burnaby Douglas, 10.89 in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country and 9.37% in Vancouver Center.

It should be noted that the 2008 Abbotsford vote totals are skewed. Unfounded allegations were made against Liberal candidate David Oliver in the 2006 election and rather than fight them Martin and company decided to Dingwall him. (Liberals should not complain that the Prime Minister is loath to dismiss a minister no matter how solid the evidence against him. After all, Stephen Harper learned first hand that whole heatedly embracing scandal, publicizing it and using it as means of undermining various factions within his own party as Paul Martin liked to do, is daft.) A better comparison than 2006 is 2004. The Liberal candidate that year took 19.94% of the vote. That was 3.7 higher than what the Liberals took in 2008.

In sum, Bell lost because the Liberal vote was down 944,350 outside of Quebec.

What happens in North Vancouver in 2011 will also be decided nationally. The question for Liberal supporters is will things return to where they were win 2004 and 2006 or is 2008 the norm. With the later looking more likely and Ignatieff looking set to join Dion, John Turner and Paul Martin as the fourth rider of the Liberal apocalypse, North Vancouver Liberal candidate Taleeb Normohamed could fair rather badly indeed. That, though, will not reflect baldly on Taleeb. He is a good candidate. He is well spoken, and very well educated. Furthermore, he has surrounded himself with competent and confident people. However, he is not a "star candidate", he has virtually no name recognition, and he has few ties outside of the Ismaili community. He is not going to change many minds in a mere 38 days and that is what he needs to do. No one in a similar situation could. Identifying the Liberal vote and pestering them to go to the polls is not going to be enough. (Anyone who has ever worked on a campaign knows that most of the focus is on identifying party supporters and then to pestering them to show up on voting day. Comparatively little effort is spent convincing people to vote this way or that. It is yet one more reason why there needs to be mandatory voting.) With Don Bell gone, North Vancouverites are likely to fall in line with voters in near by ridings. There are just not enough self identified Liberal supporters left to pester.

OCP should go to referendum-make it an election issue

2011-03-15T18:24:00.003-07:00

The Official Community Plan currently under draft and review in the District of North Vancouver should go to referendum. If it is promoted thoroughly in the next seven months and included on this Novembers municipal election ballot, it can't cost the taxpayer that much more and we will have a chance of real democracy on this issue. It also would not significantly delay the decision on the OCP. Let the people have a say at election time when it can be assumed local political issues are at a peak.

Low turnout numbers plague municipal elections but, surely they are larger numbers than the approximately 4000 that have participated in the OCP so far, I being one of them. Why should these 4000 people have the final say in this long term plan that that is so important to the community?

In my opinion most people in the District of North Vancouver live here or moved here because they like it the way it is and they are not interested in having their neighbourhoods of Lynn Valley, Parkgate, Edgemont and others supplanted with high rise buildings.

Perhaps the current District council is instead only really interested in shoving through this OCP with a minority, making themselves look good, and then focusing on getting themselves re-elected.

Christy Clark cabinet announcement

2011-03-14T14:52:00.003-07:00

CBC is reporting that North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto has been named Minister of Advanced Education in the new Clark Cabinet.

No other North Shore MLAs have been included in the new Cabinet.

DNV Official Community Plan

2011-03-10T18:04:00.003-08:00

Open House Workshops are scheduled for tonight and Tuesday.*

Rather than offering opinions here, I'll just link to the current draft, and encourage everyone to read it first, then discuss it. I'd say it's pretty interesting.

The OCP web page is here.

*1st Open House Workshop on the Official Community Plan (Draft Two):

Thursday, March 10 @ 6:30pm to 9:00pm

at the District Hall, 355 West Queens Road.

2nd Open House Workshop on the Official Community Plan (Draft Two):

Tuesday, March 15, 6:30pm to 9:00pm

at District Hall, 355 West Queens Road.

Calling all posters

2011-02-26T13:58:00.005-08:00

Northvancouverpolitics.com has a total of 27 registered posters. Some of the these folks haven't posted here for quite sometime, some of them may be long gone, and there are but a hand full of regular posters. If I may, I would like to re-invite all registered posters and those 'would be posters' to contribute to our political forum here on the blog. There's always something to talk about in our wonderful communities of The City and The District especially since it's a civic election year. It's all about taking an interest and discussing our local issues.

If you're not already a registered poster but, would like to become one, email discussion@northvancouverpolitics.com. and we will get you fired up.

Will a New Liberal leader Change Anything For the North Shore?

2011-02-26T13:57:00.008-08:00

(Late breaking News, it's Christy Clark, who really, really loves families. That's the kind of bold, innovative leadership that this province needs.)

While we wait for the moment when when one Liberal or another is anointed King of The Hill, perhaps we should also take time to ask what difference this will make to our town.

Municipal government does after all fall within the realm of Provincial control, as do many of the things with a decidedly local impact - building codes, environmental regulations, transit funding and policy, social programs. Circuses.

Each of these has a direct effect on how our cities are managed, and how our growing population will be serviced and supported. In some respects these are the areas of Provincial control that hit closest to home.

So dear readers, aside from the endless refrain of "I don't wanna pay taxes!", what real and lasting changes would like to see our new Leader embrace on the municipal level?

WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNIITY AND HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE IT?

2011-02-18T19:36:00.002-08:00

Since the discussion on the last thread has been primarily about densification and sustainability, I thought it appropriate to copy and paste this full page advertisement which appeared in a North Shore newspaper 4 years ago. It was written by the late Ernie Crist who served as a North Vancouver District Councillor for 25 years.

The North American City is the product of the automobile. It shaped our lives, our culture, and our economic priorities. Land was plentiful, oil cheap and Henry Ford an American hero who turned mass production of cars into a religion.

However, the imperatives for radical change are now upon us. Our reliance on the automobile to commute in the city is past.

Whether we can make the transition to a new 21st century and human environment or not will determine our survival. Global warming is not a myth, the economic cost of single vehicle transportation is not a myth, nor is the waste of land nor is the staggering cost to our health and the depletion of fossil fuel. Change is no longer an option. It is a challenge we will either meet head on or we will suffer serious consequences.

The new 21st century liveable city is designed for people not cars, stated world renowned city planner Hans Blumenfeld on his visit to Vancouver almost 30 years ago. Indeed there are no cars to speak of and to the extent that they exist, they are the exception not the rule.

Transportation in the new city is based on mass transit. It is efficient, convenient, cheap, and pollution free. It is virtually noiseless and pleasing to the eye. It is in harmony with the city’s architecture. It is part and parcel of a new human friendly environment in which people speak to each other and relax while traveling at great speed moving to their destination. It is an antidote to alienation and comprises everything from rapid trains, noiseless street cars, to buses, ferries and mini buses.

The new city has plenty of trees, parks, playing fields, indoor and outdoor recreation and cultural facilities. Most neighbourhoods are self contained for efficiency and yes, there are high-rises. Indeed, compact developments are the rule rather than the exception while total green space is enhanced and pedestrian friendly.

However, the new proposal for high-rises in Lynn Valley is not conducive to this objective. It is the exact opposite. It is outmoded and reactionary.

Far from decreasing reliance on the car it will enhance it. Far from less pollution, there will be more. Far from generating less traffic congestion, there will be more. The reason is that the most important element of enhanced liveability, as outlined in numerous vision statements by the worlds most credible town planners, will be missing, namely a transportation system which reflects this concept and must be its backbone.

If the proposal for high-rises in Lynn Valley, in the name of motherhood and apple pie, is implemented as it will unless the people stand up now and stop it, everything which is outdated now will be worse. Any and all talk to the contrary is at best wishful thinking or an out and out hoax as was the previous densification of the Lynn Valley Core sold to the people of Lynn Valley as a “Pedestrian Oriented Town Center”.

Spirited OCP draft meeting at Parkgate

2011-02-10T18:22:00.003-08:00

There was a meeting between 7 and 9 PM, Feb. 9th., 2011 at the Parkgate Community Centre which was labelled as a 'last opportunity for residents to have input on the new Official Community Plan' and how it will affect the Seymour Area.

The meeting was well attended and very spirited. Many skeptical questions were asked about the new OCP which could not be answered due to lack of time. These questions are to be posted and answered on the DNV website.

The precedent setting Pacific Arbor High-rise development as it relates to Seymour's LAP was on people's minds and appeared to have angered many of those present.

There was a consensus that another meeting was needed so that more discussion could ensue. Time and date of that meeting is TBA.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff Campaigning in North Vancouver

2011-02-07T15:48:00.001-08:00

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was on the North Shore over the weekend revving up the engine for ridings the Federal Liberals believe are very winnable. He stopped in North Vancouver Saturday night where talked about the four-way nomination race to become the Liberal Candidate in NV, the difference between the Liberals and Conservatives and rolled out, what appeared to be a very campaign-like slogan for the LPC - "We're here to ensure that people have ground beneath their feet".

Translink - North Shore Area Transit Plan

2011-01-27T10:31:00.003-08:00

On Tuesday (Jan 25th) Translink held a meeting at the Pinnacle seeking input on what North Shore residents wanted over the next 20 years.

I saw a lot of familiar faces there plus some new ones and a lot of opinions were expressed. The District Official Community Plan Roundtable was well represented as well as several from the City, West Vancouver and Lions Bay. I was really disappointed not to see reps from the Squamish or Tsleil-wa-Tuth though the Translink people told me they had been invited.

It was a good session with a lot of 'cut and thrust' though I completely disagree with Translink's methodology since it pretty much ensured the North Shore will be last in line with Translink for some time to come. While there was some talk of financial implications this was not encouraged by the organizers which causes me to wonder whether this consultation is for real or simply pro forma.

This is important since under the current Translink 10 year plan, Translink takes $225-240million out of the North Shore municipalities but only gives back about $45 million - and about 2/3 of that was to be for a new depot and a third Seabus which was to be in full service by the summer of 2009. Given this levy was to be for capital improvements it is difficult to not feel betrayed when we are now told that when the new Seabus is fully operational one of the first two will be taken out of service. The levy was never intended to be simply for replacement of aging infrastructure but improvements in service and 'two Seabuses before, two Seabuses after' is not my idea of an improvement!

It was a good session but I did not get the answers I went there for.

Christy Clark speaking at Parkgate February 1st

2011-01-27T10:10:00.005-08:00

Christy will be in North Vancouver to meet members of the community and answer any questions you might have on her vision for the Province of British Columbia.

In 1996, she was elected to the British Columbia legislature where she distinguished herself as a passionate champion for families. This commitment continued when the Liberals formed government in 2001 and she was appointed Minister of Education and Deputy Premier.

Christy took a break from politics in 2005 to spend more time with her family. She quickly established herself as a columnist with the Vancouver Province newspaper and commentator on CTV Newsnet. In 2007, she began the “Christy Clark Show” on CKNW radio.

Date/Time: 7pm Tuesday February 1st

Location: Mary Hunter Hall, Parkgate Community Centre, 3625 Banff Court, North Vancouver

West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan Endorses George Abbott

2011-01-24T11:41:00.001-08:00

Ralph Sultan was on CKNW's Bill Good show this morning talking about the HST. At the end of the interview, Good asked Sultan who he was supporting in the BC Liberal leadership race. When asked why he was endorsing George Abbott's leadership bid he pointed to five criteria, but said it was the fact that Abbott has "met a payroll and run his own business...and in building character and common sense there is no better training."

“Ralph has been an outstanding representative for his constituents in West Vancouver-Capilano since 2001,” says George Abbott. “He has several decades of professional experience at the most senior levels of business in the resource and financial sectors. I’m honoured that he has chosen to provide me with his support.”

The CKNW conversation can be heard through the radio's stations audio archive, when the question was asked at 9:27am:

http://www.corusradio.com/Shared/AudioVault/CKNWAMaudioVault.asp?VaultDate=20110124&VaultTime=09&mysubmit=Listen

Sultan joins 16 other BC Liberal Ministers and MLAs who have put their support behind George Abbott’s candidacy for Premier.

Why Should the DNV be on the hook for highway upgrade?

2011-01-20T22:29:00.007-08:00

Recent Trans Canada highway improvements extend from Chilliwack to Whistler. Have the municipalities along the way been asked to share the costs? Don't they all benefit from the improvements? As the Editorial in the North Shore News says, "We expected the province to take the lead in rectifying the negative results that have only compounded with time, not abdicate responsibility."

Is the City of North Vancouver being asked to share the cost of the highway upgrades at the second narrows exchange? The proposed on and off-ramps off of Brooksbank Ave. would benefit that municipality as well.

Is this proposal in line with the District's Vision"...to be among the most
sustainable communities in the world by 2020...?"

As Clr. Nixon says, "This buys us maybe 10 years of relative ease of access but, beyond 10 years it will be back to what it was before unless we take really hard steps on mass transit to encourage people to get out of their single occupancy vehicles."

Is internet voting coming to a municipality near you?

2011-01-20T21:25:00.004-08:00

Two City of Vancouver Councillors are pushing for the idea.

Markham, Ontario has used internet voting with their advanced polls since 2003. It has not been implemented on voting day because of concerns that the website might not handle a last minute voting surge. 2003 advanced polls were higher than previous years but, the same can not be said for 2006 and 2010 however, voter turnout is claimed to have been higher for those with accessibility issues and for those over the age of 50 (most likely because of time constraints associated with busy schedules). Unfortunately the youth vote turnout was apparently unchanged meaning it was still low.

Security was not considered anymore of an issue than banking online.

Personally unless I had an unusually busy schedule or was going to be away on voting day, I would still make my way to my local polling station, usually a recreation centre or school gym. There's something satisfying about approaching the 'alphabetical table', sometimes waiting in line, entering that cardboard booth enclave, and X'ing the ballot with that stubby lil' pencil.

BC Liberal Leadership Candidate George Abbott during a visit to North Vancouver

2011-01-19T14:21:00.001-08:00

Video footage from TheLeftCoast.ca at last night's visit to the Holiday Inn by George Abbott:

Announcement: NVP.com Under New management

2011-01-18T18:35:00.006-08:00

Barry F. who started this blog about six years ago has handed over the reins to me. Barry was finding he just didn't have the time in his busy schedule to give this blog the attention it required.

I am most definitely following a tough act.

I trust we will see Barry's continued involvement with the discussions here at Northvancouverpolitics.com

Thank you Barry for your creative energy, leadership, and uniqueness with the blog since its inception.

Once and for all, Amalgamation

2011-01-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Property BC Assessment notices are in and property values are up as much as 20 percent on the North Shore.

City of North Vancouver Mayor Darell Mussatto says, the increase is both good news and bad news for local residents - depending on whether they already own property or not.

For those who don't, "It's now eight percent more difficult to get into the housing market," said Mussatto in Friday's North Shore News.

For those who do there really isn't any good news either. The Assessment is key in determining local property taxes each year so most homeowners will see an increase for 2011.

A recent report showed the North Shore local governments are some of the highest spenders of the tax money we entrust to them as compared to other B.C. municipalities.

Is it high time to re-visit the issue of Amalgamation of the City and the District? Is it one way to potentially reduce or curb the upward spiral of municipal taxes we seem to be facing in our future?

BC First

2011-01-09T15:37:00.003-08:00

It’s been many years since I threw my lot in with a political party. Regular readers will know that it’s been several elections since I did anything but wring my hands in despair over the paucity of candidates or platforms that I could believe in.

So it may come as a surprise to some that I’m publicly endorsing BC First, a new provincial party that has risen from the ranks of the dissatisfied voters who are forcing a referendum on the Harmonized Sales Tax.

Even at this early stage, before their first general meeting, BC First has been drafting policies that more or less fit what I think is right; suggesting directions that are sensible, balanced, practical, and – dare I say it – progressive.

Read their policies on Environment, Health, Energy, or Taxation, and see if they don't look pretty darned sensible.

It’s early days for the Party, and policies are still being developed, with an inaugural board of directors to be elected at the first Party meeting later this spring.

I've volunteered as Constituency Organizer for the North Vancouver-Seymour riding, and have the wonderful task of signing up the first 25 members in the riding. You can contact me directly, or log onto the BC First website and pay your $10 membership on-line.

No matter how you join, I hope you’ll be as excited by this new Party as I am.

*note: I've no idea what happened to the NVPolitics blog last week, so I'm re-posting.

Christy Clark Clarifies Position on HST

2011-01-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

BC Liberal leadership candidate was in North Vancouver yesterday and was asked to clarify her position on the HST referendum:

2005-03-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

A Day in the Life of a North Shore resident!
North Vancouver Blogger