• Charlie Smith selectively posts an excerpt from a post I wrote in response to his disgusting speculation about former Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s possible death, and cries foul.  He quotes me pontificating about what might happen if he gets hit by a bus, which was a direct and sardonic way of showing how truly off Smith’s “journalistic” instincts were on his story.  Yet of course he completely ignores his own conduct, as Smith in his bubble of self-righteousness often does.  Hey Charlie, if we are going to have a debate about appropriate content, why don’t you include your own exploits into the mix?  I doubt that will ever happen…because self-examination isn’t something that Smith and his holier-than-thou attitude tends to engage in.

• Since it doesn’t seem that any of the local media are too interested in doing any kind of due diligence in their reporting these days – particularly when it comes to stories about City Hall – let me toss out a question that should have been asked from the very beginning: what are the most immediate motivations of the anonymous source that spoke to both Alex Tsakumis and Global television?  That single query might have provided the offending media organization some context and subsequently a pause for concern before giving him a platform void of scrutiny.

• Excuse me while I am dismissive of these statements by former Vision Vancouver Mayoral candidate Allan De Genova.  For a man that was rumoured (but by no means confirmed) to have spent in excess of $300,000 on a campaign that ended with a final total of about 1000 votes cast in his favour, I can understand his frustration.  His daughter of course returned to the NPA to run as a Park Board candidate just weeks after her father’s failed bid, and Allan himself had little to nothing to do with the party since his campaign.  Those two facts seem to confirm my opinion that Vision Vancouver represented little more than a convenient vehicle for De Genova to get back at Sam Sullivan and the NPA, and also to realize the next step in his civic political aspirations after serving for 15 years on the Park Board.  So, to hear De Genova talk about how Vision Vancouver is “about themselves” is kind of ironic.

• An interesting take on the reinvention of George Smitherman in the Toronto Mayoral race, who could be about 6-11 points behind Rob Ford depending on who you listen to.  Talking to Smitherman campaign manager Bruce Davis last week, however, gave me some insight into what the campaign is going up against.  They are looking directly across at a man that is prepared to dismantle the city and make it as bare bones an operation as possible, all on the backs of latent anger against a former Mayor who never quite convinced people that they were getting value for their tax money.  But while Ford has tapped into dissatisfaction, he is also someone that by no stretch of the imagination can be considered a builder with ideas that he wants to bring forward.  Let’s give my old friend Warren Kinsella some credit with his new involvement in the campaign of Rocco Rossi – a man who in recent weeks has released so many press releases articulating policies and ideas, the media can barely keep up.  That being said, Smitherman is truly the only candidate who has the potential to deliver a message based on where he sees the city going and what he wants to bring to the table – and in the process enamour the minds and imaginations of the public.  Time to think big George, and take a shot at making people dream about their city again.  That, as I see it, is the only way you are going to overcome the Rob Ford juggernaut.

• Yesterday’s post was not an attempt to “change the channel” or even to go on the attack to deflect attention away.  Rather, it was a sincere opinion about what the media have devolved into with regards to a whole lot of blind acceptance of political attacks dressed up a as legitimate news.  Journalists like Jeff Lee, Frances Bula and even Gary Mason understand what I am talking about based on their latest commentaries regarding the situation.  There are those, however, who are determined to build their career by throwing as many bombs as they can towards City Hall, without any concern for context, motivations or depth – just as long as it is sexy and scandalous enough to create a scent.  Lazy journalism is lazy journalism, and if the reporter in question thinks that her work is above reproach, good for her.  I and others (including many of her own colleagues) don’t tend to agree.

• The Evergreen line finally seems to have some political will get built.  The bad part about this new urgency is that cash-strapped municipalities are going to have to raise taxes or create new sources of revenue to pay Translink.  I really like the idea of transportation commissioner Martin Crilly to resort to road pricing, though.  High gas prices and new transporation options are having only moderate success in getting people out of their cars.  But if we took real steps to make people pay more to simply be on the road, and then on top of that we attached additional fees based on the amount of people they had in the car (single drivers in empty cars would obviously get dinged more), then we might just see some dramatic behavioural changes as a result.  Because at the end of the day, relying on municipalities, which as I have detailed many times can barely pay for basic services for their own citizens, is not a sustainable solution – unless, of course, the province allows for some more revenue-raising mechanisms for cities.  The likelihood of that happening?  I wouldn’t be holding my breath…at least not under this current provincial government.

• I just got back from Vegas, where the attire of female waitresses would make any Vancouver server blush.  Nonetheless, I think that this case could very well change the industry in this province.  Now, I will say that I believe that free will has a lot to do with where someone works – they choose to apply, the find out the parameters of the job, and then they make an informed decision as to whether they want to stay.  However, it is most definitely discrimination in my opinion if someone is denied shifts or even employment if they choose not to wear a revealing top or short skirt as part of their job.  If the job is serving, and their conduct with customers is top notch, then the amount of skin they show should not have any bearing on their suitability to work at a particular establishment.

• This guy is always ranting against someone, because that is just what he does.  But out of all the offensive things he has said, whether about me or others, the vitriolic content in this post could take the cake as the most stomach churning.  Let’s examine some of what he says, which are accompanied by photos that allow him to further ridicule participants and spectators of the parade:

1. He pokes fun at the gender of a participant, finding it funny that he cannot tell whether the individual in question is male or female (hmmm…hilarious, considering that this is an appreciation of the lesbian, gay , bisexual and transgender community).
2. He makes fun of a woman’s physical appearance by labelling her  “Miss Butch Legs”
3. He criticizes the Mayor for “having just a little too much fun.”  God forbid.
4. Direct quote under the picture of an Asian woman: ““Hey, you bick guy, yoo wook out wif mee? I makey gud deel fo yoo. Fotty fife dalla fo one owa…”  This is just beyond offensive.  Talk about being a racist…just another example of the pot calling the kettle black.
5. He takes pictures of a child, covers his eyes (as if that makes the boy in question impossible to identify – and for the record, it doesn’t), and then ridicules his parents.
6. Refers to some individuals as “whales,” presumably because of their weight.

He refers to the Pride Parade being filled with “hate,” yet the only hate that I can detect is coming from the author himself.  For shame indeed.

• Of course residents are enthusiastic…heck, now that I live in the neighbourhood, I would love to have a facility like this right next door.  But if Aquilini and crew are suggesting that they be excused on some of the millions of dollars of community-amenity contributions so that they can put it towards a facility that they want built for their privately held interest, then they are barking up the wrong tree.  It is a very sly ploy and a smart strategy to intrigue residents with the idea.  But if it means that we as taxpayers are going to have to subsidize the Canucks’ practice facility and the first foothold towards further development for the Aquilini Investment Group in Northeast False Creek, then I think I can do without such a centre.

• This guy if ridiculous, but pretty f’ing funny.  I have been watching this home grown talent for a while now, so it is nice to see the local media starting to take notice.  Peter Chow finally out, mutha f***ers.

• After speaking to one of the voting participants at last Friday’s meeting, I can concur that the reason that the Minister was presented with multiple options to choose from was due to the Board striking back at Metro Vancouver staff.  Lois Jackson aside, few around the table were comfortable with the staff’s decisions, and so to avoid further delay by sending them back to the drawing board, they pushed the decision on to a higher authority.  The Metro Vancouver setup continues to be dysfunctional, and a lot of that has to do with internal staffing issues (aside from the structure and process, which is also severely flawed).

• With all due respect to my friends working in Real Estate, this is a very good thing for the city.  In terms of pricing, I think that we have truly reached a pinnacle of affordability…the threshold of purchasing ability was about to be completely derailed, so this is a step in the right direction.  Oh, and I finally made my way down to Olympic Village to see the suites and get a sense of prices.  Let’s just say that I won’t be one of the 4-500 more buyers that are needed for the city to come out even or a possibly a little ahead after the financing deal.  $1.3 million for 2 bedroom, 950 sq. ft. suite?  Unbelievable.

• Clearly it wasn’t the Mayor’s fault…because apparently, it is just a part of who we are as Canadians.

• Watch in the coming days for a feature I have written regarding Vancouver’s growing battles between neighbourhoods and City Hall.  Like I have mentioned before, something isn’t working, and without a either a revamp of the consultation process, or some serious political will from the Mayor, this problem of NIMBYism is only going to continue to grow.

That being said, I am truly getting a kick out of the bloggers (three in particular) that are getting into a lather of fury over the popularity of both Vision Vancouver and Gregor Robertson amongst the municipal beat reporters around town.

The frustration that they are spewing only confirms that the Vision Vancouver juggernaut is real, in as much as is possible within the municipal political realm.

I don’t have the energy to craft a well-thought out, cogent post on why that juggernaut exists, nor do I have to quite frankly.  Rather, I would like to perform a political brain dump on the state of Vision Vancouver and the rest of the civic political scene at the halfway point of the term.

• Gregor Robertson has a popularity that is well ahead of Sam Sullivan, Larry Campbell and Philip Owen at the halfway point of their terms.  He has a likeability factor that goes beyond his looks, garnering a genuine affinity from voters that hasn’t been seen in Vancouver since the days of Mike Harcourt’s time as Mayor.

• The Green Agenda, which has been labeled by some as fluff, is resonating with residents.  Stratcom’s polling overwhelmingly demonstrated that it is the issue that has most effectively pierced the public consiousness of support.  It may be an issue that is close to Robertson’s heart and for which he built his vision for Vancouver around, but it is also politically astute for tapping into a sentiment that has a natural inclination within this city regardless of politics.

• There could very well be several vacancies once the Vision incumbents make their plans known to the party over the coming six months.  There are a number of intriguing possibilities that have expressed interest in the party, and who could further solidify the party as a moderate resting place for those that are tired out by the polarizing political past of Vancouver.  Incumbents will be asked to pull their weight in preparing for the election campaign, but are ultimately likely to be protected from challenges

• The COPE negotiations are largely at a standstill, and in my estimation, it is COPE that will be lucky to secure any kind of agreement with Vision rather than the other way around.  So while there is no doubt that a clear path on the left of the spectrum is desirable with regards to the Mayor, COPE is really in no position politically or financially to run their own.  Thus, if they are once again able to protects two spots for Council and a couple for School Board, they should take the deal and run.  Vision is in an enviable position in negotiating with an organization that barely has enough money or interest to sustain an internal staff person.

• The NPA, from those that I have spoken to who regularly attend the moribund meetings this fledgling organziation puts on, is really having a difficult time attracting any kind of interest from potential Mayoral candidates.  The overwhelming consensus is that Anton is going to be the choice by default, as even Ian Robertson is rumoured to be backing away from his plans to run for the nomination.  Polling shows that Anton is even less known than a guy like Tung Chan, believe it or not, an individual who if he decides to run anywhere is likely to hang his hat on competing against Ujjal Dosanjh in Vancouver South.  From what I have been told, the Tories are holding that riding for him and pushing him to make a decision sooner rather than later.

• Vision needs a big idea to launch their second term re-election campaign.  They have had some moderate success in their key areas that are clearly popular with the public, but need to begin to think about the next phase of their plans that is going to capture the public’s imagination.  Using the endowment fund as leverage to begin a revolution in terms of affordable housing is one idea that I think should carefully be considered by Vision’s leadership.

• Without a viable Mayoral candidate, any hopes for the NPA to expand their presence on Council is a lost cause.  What is interesting is what is going to happen when Anton steps up to the plate and relinquishes her spot as a Council hopeful.  If she loses, which is more than likely in a face-off with Gregor Robertson, the NPA will be minus-one Council seat, and it is extremely unlikely that anyone of significance will have the guts or the capability to emerge victorious on an Anton-led slate.

• Robertson would be well placed to start thinking about using his political capital to better advance issues of national concern to all municipalities.  Whether it is musing about constitutional recognition for municipalities, or a different funding formula for the way that cities are administered, or even a national housing movement that pushes hard on the federal government, the notion of legacy is wrapped within these complex and difficult issues.

• A star recruit with name recognition is contemplating giving up his time and his devotion to his ridiculous earnings to run for a spot, although he has no interest in competing for nomination.  The name is worthy of excitement, but the demands for a spot on the slate without any kind of effort is unlikely to happen.

• The stories that emanate from within City Hall’s bureacracy should no longer be necessary at this point in the term, and greater attention to stability is well advised.  That being said, I don’t have any misconceptions about the public finding these hirings and firings of interest so long as the city is being run smoothly, which it is.  So, I guess I am suggesting that the bloggers that are obsessed with engineering the downfall of the current Mayor are unlikely to get any more fodder for their “sky is falling” commentaries about City Hall.

That’s it for now folks.  Off to dim sum…see you tomorrow with our usually scheduled Monday morning commentary.

• The belly aching about the decision to maintain social housing at the Olympic Village continues in certain circles of the city that have a problem with people of lesser means living within such a neighbourhood.  But let’s take a step back, and consider a couple of points.  Regardless of the commitment made to the IOC, a development that has public money invested into it must consider broader criteria than simply cost, and encouraging mixed use and integrati0n within such a jewel for the city is entirely appropriate.  Secondly, while it is easy to throw out the plan that sales would drive more social housing at another site, how long it would actually take to have such housing in place is quite another story.  Finding the ideal site (city or privately owned), picking a development partner, and securing additional funding from other levels of government could take as long as 5 years…if all goes as planned.  So, this pie in the sky “sell the units, buy more at another location” plan isn’t well thought out in the least.  Finally, this is about NOT waiting around in limbo for other governments who clearly have little intention on moving any further ahead on investing in this area.  There are many options available to the city to initiate the construction of housing, and in my opinion, they should start looking into advancing by leveraging their assets.

• While I am still obsessed with ensuring that my beloved Habs make it through to the second round (last night was unbelievable), the Canucks and their fans most definitely deserve this.  Now with a few days off before the series with Chicago starts, I certainly hope that Francesco Aquilini can bring along at least one player to tomorrow’s festivities, as a rally without one voice who skates on the ice for the team would be a real disappointment.

• 10 more days of vacation seems like a bad decision on the surface (particularly for parents), but it is also a necessary measure in response to the flaming bag of crap that the province has handed school boards across the province.  They negotiate the contracts with teachers.  They raise the health premiums.  They demand that each school board requires one full-time staff person just to manage the carbon offset requirements via the province.  And yet they never send along enough funds to cover their obligations.  Thursday’s meeting is going be painful…but I hope that resulting anger is directed at the right place, as it is Gordo and his pals in Victoria that are abandoning children, not the school boards.

• Try as they might, tomorrow’s efforts to counteract the memories of the electorate is little more than a transparent political ploy.  The fact is, changing the name will not make up for a group of political followers who had clearly run out of ideas by the end of the last election campaign.  Furthermore, it is volunteers that give a party a shot at achieving electoral success, and from past history, the only way that this group can inspire that kind of commitment is when a coup attempt is being made on their leader.  Without anyone suicidal enough to step up and call themselves the leader of such a moribund entity, and with no reason for people to return outside of a cosmetic bait and switch, this party…or association…or gathering…of whatever the hell they want to call themselves this time around, is going nowhere.

• To Alex Tsakumis, whose vitriolic, swearing and insult laden phone etiquette I had the misfortune of experiencing last week (the mysterious number on my call display tweaked my interest and prompted a call back), I say this:  your threats don’t impress me, and your information doesn’t scare me.  And anytime you are actually ready to extend an invitation that goes beyond empty rhetoric, let me know the date, location and time, and I will be there.

• New name?  How about the “hurry-up and wait” line…or the “we have no cash, but let’s get hopes up” line…or maybe the the “decade” line, to indicate the minimum amount of time before anything of this sort gets built.  Sorry people, but this is a non-starter for me, and all the consultation seems quite confusing, considering that we still wait in limbo for the Evergreen Line to become operational.