March 9, 2010 - 3:47 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
CivicScene's makes a return to the Vancouver Sun this morning.
CivicScene is back with the first oped in a new series beginning in today’s Vancouver Sun.
Critics of the current administration at City Hall tend to frame their grievances on the accusation that the civil service has been politicized. In fact, when I spoke to lone NPA City Councillor Suzanne Anton over the Olympic Games and asked what her biggest objection to Vision Vancouver was, this was her first response.
But let’s for a moment consider the alternative.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 5, 2010 - 2:48 pm |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Barnes has emerged nicely from her personal issues.
Park Board Commissioner Constance Barnes has had a rough ride – literally and figuratively – with her personal problems that unfortunately crossed into her life as an elected official
It is already a harrowing experience to admit that you have a problem with addiction and seek help for your problem, never mind having to do it in such a public fashion.
And, of course, Constance’s detractors went into full attack mode, writing her off as someone who wouldn’t be able to make any kind of significant contribution to the Park Board.
But it is amazing what a little common sense can do to prove critics wrong.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 4, 2010 - 2:56 pm |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
A fantastic success during the Games, but is it worth the cost after?
Yes, the ridership far exceeded expectations during the Olympic Games (as did most modes of transit within the City of Vancouver).
Yes, the dream of expasnion is intriguing in terms of the connections it could make from different transit nodes.
But with the province completely in the hole, Translink unable to see past its current fiscal year towards the inevitable reorganization that is coming, and the federal government done with kicking in additional cash for any of Metro Vancouver’s transit needs, the City of Vancouver is on its own if it wants to continue this service.
With a rumoured $90 million continuation commitment being thrown around by the City of Vancouver’s engineering department, that is completely insane to even consider.
Here is hoping that Vancouver City Council either gets a private operator to solely kick in that cash, or instead widely publicizes this proposed price tag and then kills the idea.
I loved the streetcar too, and would also love to see it expanded across the city.
But at $90 million, I can certainly do without it.
March 3, 2010 - 10:20 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Councillor Suzanne Anton and I had a good chat during the Olympics.
During the Olympics, my wife and I were invited to a reception held at Vancouver House by the City of Vancouver for the South Asian community. The event was one of many conducted to honour the diverse communities of Vancouver, even if VANOC never considered them in their opening or closing ceremonies. It was a modest affair with juice and small appetizers served, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant and welcoming to everyone.
In spite of what some might assume, this was not a Vision Vancouver event by any stretch of the imagination. All councillors, several city staff, the Indian Consul General and even Shiva Keshavan, the Indian luger, and his family were in attendance.
Over the course of the event, I was approached by a non-Vision Vancouver Councillor to tell me that apparently lone NPA Councillor Suzanne Anton had an issue with my attendance because it made the event “too political.”
I happened to run into the Councillor at another venue that same day and decided to confront her about her issues.
Read the rest of this entry »
