- Miro Cernetig has an interesting take on the NPA regarding how and why they can and need to get back into the political game for the sake of Vancouver. I also notice that Miro read my suggestions for the NPA’s potential new name before writing the column. Anyways, like I have written in a previous post, without any kind of defined policies for people to attach themselves to, they are going to face an impossible task in capturing back the imaginations of the electorate. It is time for the association to stop worrying about the cosmetics of politics and gain some substance that people can latch onto. But then again, if the NPA chooses to stay the course and remain ambiguous, I am all for it.
- For the record, I think that the notion of renaming Stanley Park is ridiculous. But then again, having the discussion is a part of the public realm, and no one should be trying to stifle such a proposal from being debated. Furthermore, if this is the kind of supporter that the anti-naming campaign is going to attract (read the diatribe to understand how the naming issue seems to be little more than window dressing for some deep-seeded opinions on Aboriginals in Canada), then I am all for a public debate. And for the record, I would hardly call those that put their name forward for a public office that pays $12,000/year, requires long and involved hours each and every week, and encompasses never-ending criticism, scrutiny and abuse from certain individuals obsessed with bringing Vancouver’s ruling civic party down to its knees, cowardly. Cowardly are the ones that cast stones from the outside looking in.
- Jeff Lee has taken over the civic beat for the Vancouver Sun, which is one of the best decisions the paper has made with regards to civic politics in many years. Lee is a true old-school investigative journalist that devours details and puts them into prose that readers from all political persuasions can appreciate. Having had contact with Jeff over the years for federal political stories, I have a deep respect of how he gets the issues faster than most reporters in this city, and I am excited to read his upcoming columns leading into the next election. For the record, public office holders should be slightly intimidated that such a formidable presence is now going to be covering them.
- I always suspected that the Sochi House during the Olympics Games was a pretty impressive attraction – but now I understand why. The excessive spending on pomp and circumstance ($31 milion) makes it seem as though Russian sporting officials gave Vancouver a pass athletically so that the achievement in Sochi in 2014 would be considered that much more impressive by contrast. Having met the girlfriend of figure skater Evgeni Plushenko on the street and grabbed a picture with the both of them, I can attest that the picturesque couple seemed to be having A LOT of fun on the Russian taxpayers dime (they could barely stand up straight for the photo). Seems like a huge boondoggle to me, and one that will have some interesting impact on the results of the next Winter Olympics.
- The fact that other Mayors have got bent out of shape because Mayor Gregor Robertson has actually taken a lead on oil tanker traffic within the Burrard Inlet is petty politics at its worts. This afternoon’s meeting is informative in purpose and far from any kind of binding decision on the issue (because as mentioned, it would be a broader debate for Metro Vancouver to have). Robertson wanted to get him and his Council colleagues up to speed on an issue with huge significance in light of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, and for that he should be commended. Mayors like Burnaby’s Corrigan and North Vancouver’s Mussatto need to pull their heads out of the sand and understand that this kind of briefing is the basis for a broader debate, and that each and every municipality that borders the inlet have the exact same opportunity to receive information – so stop whining, Gentlemen, and get to work.
- Question for Mike Klassen, the man behind CityCaucus.com and a possible future City Council candidate: What exactly was your relationship with Sam Sullivan while he was Mayor? Were you receiving paid contracts with the City of Vancouver, or were you simply a supporter/volunteer?
