- These kinds of stories are so Mickey Mouse. We are about to host the world, and news outlets are making a fuss about City Councillors of the host city getting tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies? Give me a break. Ellen Woodsworth and David Cadman can play the martyrs all they want, but the bottom line is that this is a work related duty for a once in a lifetime type of event for our city. And to suggest that spouses should not be able to attend with their Councillor partners is just ludicrous. I believe in fiscal responsibility, and I also believe that politicians do not deserve to be hoisted onto a pedestal That being said, this is the Olympics, and we have to understand that elected officials have duties THROUGHOUT the next couple of months, not all of which will be pleasant and or conducive to their family lives. So, get over this petty BS and allow those elected to represent our city to the globe to do their jobs.
- By now, most of you have already seen this. But let me say that it is without a doubt the most stunning and compelling promotional video I have ever seen about the City of Vancouver. Not to take anything from past efforts, but this new effort in HD is just unbelievable, and a fantastic way of promoting the city’s best offerings to the globe. What a collaboration in the most exquisite sense of the word.
- This story, and more specifically this motion, is the right move to transition Vision’s successful first set of efforts with regards to emergency shelters. Housing is always a daunting thing to go after at the municipal level, largely because the majority of investments for actual construction most often come from senior levels of government (municipalities usually donate land). For Gregor’s goal to become tangible rather than election campaign rhetoric, this shift in gears is entirely necessary. Results based targets and accountability will really put the fire under a Council that is determined to attract investment into the social housing component of their agenda – either public or private.
- This impression is going to start filtering out from our local media into the hands of visiting media outfits. And contrary to what others are trying to suggest – namely that Vancouverites have little civic pride and are completely disengaged from what is happening around them – I would suggest that it is more of an indication of the perils that come along with hosting the Olympics. It takes a mature city to realize that false boosterism is not the be all, end all of putting a good foot forward. Trust me when I say that everyone is going to be enthusiastic and plugged in the minute those opening ceremonies begin, and particularly the moment Canada wins its first medal. That being said, disillusionment is a reflection of the mixed bag that the Olympics – Summer or Winter – presents for a region. It isn’t something that we need to hide from.
- I support this decision whole-heartedly. View corridors are one of the defining characteristics of Vancouver and the city’s pattern of development. That being said, higher towers are being added to Chinatown because it makes sense – revitalization of the neighbourhood, while still respecting heritage and history. Density can be a good thing, but not at the expense of the most breathtaking bridge crossings into a downtown core in all of North America and possibly the world.
