- This account and more particularly the accompanying photo represent the ugly side of residential reactions to the HEAT shelters. With acknowledgment for the fact that there was most definitely behaviours exhibited that caused anger, fear and safety concerns amongst local residents, there can be little doubt that there were also members of the neighbourhood who simply do not believe that the homeless belong within their vicinity. Like I suggested on Sunday, this is one of those issues that the Mayor needs to stand up for regardless of the political hits he takes from the NIMBY front – he won an election on ending homelessness, and this initial upset by the minority should be considered as little more than minor potholes in the broader path ahead.
- Mason’s right – Vancouverites, which traditionally aren’t known as the most friendly city dwellers for visitors, needs to step up to the plate and contribute towards showing the world the most friendly and accomodating face possible. Even if the weather, our medal count or other unforseen circumstances don’t work out as well as planned, the one given should be the way in which we collectively welcome the world with a spirit worthy of long-lasting, positive memories for our guests.
- Charlie’s at it again – his crusade continues. First, with consideration for the fact that municipal politics doesn’t exactly generate excitement or often times even basic interest from the general public (a result caused from combining smaller scale issues with ongoing voter apathy), I would argue that Gregor Robertson’s name recognition is quite healthy – or at least healthy enough not pose a threat to his reelection chances as Smith asserts. If Robertson is going to lose, it certainly won’t be because people don’t know who he is or what he has done. Secondly, I much prefer a City Manager that doesn’t hide in the backrooms with her unelected officials making clandestine and political decisions as Judy Rogers used to. Does it seem that Penny Ballem is somewhat of a micro-manager? I’d have to say absolutely. Yet in consideration of the fact that because of the way that the Vancouver Charter is constituted, the City Manager has far greater powers than the Mayor or Councillors in many respects, and thus I think that Ballem is appropriate in stepping up and explaining positions and directions. In one instance Smith wants to hear from the policy experts on housing from within City Hall, and then in the next sentence he wants only the Mayor to speak up on such an issue. Make up your mind, Charlie.
- I am as proud of Canadian artists, and more specifically Vancouver artists, as anyone, and truth be told, I have a couple of Nickelback songs in my music collection. But band of the decade? I’m speechless. I guess there is no accounting for the tastes of those souls who still purchase albums in a physical store. That video in the link by the way is a riot.
- No word from Mike Klassen yet. I will continue to try and pry out of him his intentions for the 2011 election, however, because I think it goes to the very credibility of everything he writes about on his CityCaucus website, where the predominant theme is how bad the Vision Vancouver adminisration is. My prediction? One of the two authors behind that particular web presence will announce their political aspirations at some point (again, ONLY speculation on my part boys…no need to forward another lawsuit threat).
