Daniel takes a look at the year ahead in politics for New Westminster
As with last year, the New Westminster News Leader asked my colleague Daniel Fontaine to answer a few questions on the future of Royal City politics in 2011. The column is landing on the doorsteps of New Westminster residents this week and we've decided to also share it with you.
Q: Were there any surprises for you regarding politics in New Westminster in 2011?
Probably the biggest surprise was how successful the New Westminster District Labour Council slate of candidates was in the recent civic election. They won a massive majority and now Betty McIntosh is the lone independent candidate on council. We saw the return of former NDP MLA Chuck Puchmyr to the chamber while voters said goodbye to independent councillor Bob Osterman after many years of public service.
Q: What do you think is the most pressing issue in New Westminster politics right now and why?
The key issues of transportation and housing affordability will remain hot topics in the coming year. The future of the Pattullo Bridge could become a major issue if TransLink decides to move forward with its plans for a six-lane expansion. Despite the fact New Westminster remains relatively affordable, housing prices continue to rise making it harder for young families to call the Royal City home. It will be up to the current council to tackle these challenges in the coming years.
Q: What would be the best thing that could happen regarding in New West politics in 2012?
The new Municipal Auditor General decides to examine why residential property taxes are so high in New Westminster compared to other cities. In response, city politicians decide to curb and/or reduce unnecessary expenditures over the next three years.
Q: The worst thing?
With only one independent voice left on council, the needs of average tax payers are placed secondary after those of special interest groups.
Q: What are your hopes for the community in the New Year that have the best chances of actually happening?
• I am hoping that we make significant progress in the construction of a new secondary school to be built on time and within the allocated budget.
• I would also like to see strong community engagement process when it comes to working with TransLink regarding their plans to replace the Pattullo Bridge.
• It would be nice to see the River Market and Quay come back to life with new shops and services in conjunction with the opening of a new Downtown waterfront park.
• I’m also hopeful the cinemas and shops opening up at the New Westminster SkyTrain station will help to transform this location into a vibrant new “place to be”.
Q: Give us your wildest and craziest prediction?
Another 100 millionaires will call New Westminster home. That’s because increasing property values will translate into another 100 homes being bumped into the $1 million-plus assessment bracket.
- Interview by Grant Granger – New Westminster News Leader
PDF 
Mike,
One knows this blog is dead for Vancouver when civic business is moving to New Westminster. Past month has been a really pathetic one. Even Frances Bula on her blog…
“The Non-Partisan Association will be looking for a new way to mount political opposition, now that Vancouver’s interesting experiment in political-blogging-as-campaigning, CityCaucus, appears to have ended.”
…is saying that CC is a goner. So, what’s up? Not writing anymore about Vancouver politicians, Vision and their screwing up of this city politics, the way you did for more than three years, was a bad, bad move.
You my friends, killed the hope that one day we’ll have run these Vision gang out of town.(BTW have you noticed the number of comments to the past articles?) Instead you have successfully silenced your biggest supporters. Vision hacks must be having a laugh at your expense as of right now as ‘you shot yourselves in the foot’ is the best way I can put it.
.. wow..ouch .. Happy New Year Mira…
.. well .. you might consider the time of year it is.. the region has come off a pretty intense campaign and election with alot of emotional issues .. the “Occupy Movement” for one .. then heading directly into the Holiday Season.. .. you have some objection to people enjoying a little down time for a change with their families? .. or are you so caught up in all of this that you want strategy .. criticism and attack 24/7/365..?
.. maybe you yourself could have a go at writing a scathing review of city politics…
.. as for Mike’s post about Daniel’s interview ?? .. I rather like the retrospective observation and hopes for the future.. because if you can’t have hope .. where exactly can you ever hope to be??? .. and New Westminster is not that far away from us .. geographically and culturally .. that we can’t benefit from their issues… ..
..Have yourself a good day!!
Wendy , Mira is right on. What you are suggesting is not possible when vision are killing this city. What she is saying IMO is that leadership is needed. Cry for action not help… Wendy!
Bah bye
CC is not just about Vancouver, and Vancouver’s challenges don’t end at its borders. Daniel blogging on New Westminister is relevant. And I suspect that reports of CC’s death are premature and exagerated.
A helathy and critical media is an important part of any city and we won’t get it from the Vancouver Sun or Vancouver Courier. City Caucus, Vancouver Observor (I am going to get some boos for that I know), The Tyee, even Rebel With a Clause are where the action is.
That doesn’t make CC (or any media) a replacement for political action. Let’s hope that COPE and the NPA get their act together.
Mira, I believe Daniel has been open about being a New West resident. It is only natural he would want to write about his hometown on his blog. Vancouver is @575,000 people out of a metro population of 2.1 million.
I am only going to reinforce what Mira and Jon said City Caucus. We need your voice in Vancouver. Now… not three years from now.
.. bitching and whining about “what-is” and how terrified you are about scarey city hall isn’t a voice.. offering solutions.. ideas.. something constructive is a voice.. so .. pick an issue.. any issue and give it a try….
The Thought of The Day
“If only the Lion had courage. If only the Tin Man had a heart. If only the Scarecrow had a brain. If only Ariel had her… voice!”
And so it goes…
Wendy, common, your statement, LMAO! Really, here it is again:
“city hall isn’t a voice… offering solutions… ideas… something constructive is a voice… so … pick an issue.. any issue and give it a try…”
Again… ROTFLMAO!
Sorry Wendy, I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t sleepwalking for the past three years.
Been there, done that.
This is what I’ve got:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKP-WbTMEac
Vancouver got what it deserves. Same guys, same MO, for three more years, trying hard to convince us that we don’t matter. Why?
Watch that video again. It’s in the… delivery.
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
When I was a young lad we used to go fishing for dogfish in the Comox Bay. The ones we caught… we’d slice their bellies open and toss them back to attract more with the scent of the blood. Eventually you’d get a feeding frenzy going and some poor dumb shark would swim in a circle eating its own guts. Sad to think about in retrospect, but it reminds me of this thread.
If the complainers are serious about the need for City Caucus to continue its work, wouldn’t it be a simple matter to volunteer an hour or so a week to the cause, helping with fact-checking and background research? Do you think your offer would go unwelcomed? You wouldn’t even have to give up your much-loved anonymity if it was all done via email.
http://www.childrenstory.info/childrenstories/thelittleredhen.html
.. hi Glissando .. if you were really LYAO .. I’m delighted .. the post was in response to those who’ve posted ..who haven’t been there and done that like you .. .. there are many constructive posts on this site.. and many not so much .. .. I was simply trying to light a fire under the asses of those who want others to contribute solutions while they continue to wank on about their topic du jour.. .. yeah .. we’ve got the same guys as before.. and that kinda sucks .. but whining about it doesn’t solve anything .. .. I’m not claiming to have any answers or ideas at this point.. doesn’t mean I’m not pondering on a regular basis.. ..
thanks for responding…
Bestest..Wendy
Wendy,
“yeah .. we’ve got the same guys as before.. and that kinda sucks .. but whining about it doesn’t solve anything …”
EXACTLY!
But…
Not long ago, before the election I said that politicians need to be changed as often as the baby diapers, and for the same reasons.
Instead we’ve got stuck in the mud again. I do not believe in people changing the way they think, talk, operate, do business, respect others… and definitely not at the advanced age they enter politics. The best they can do is… lying about how they are trying to change.
So, what are we left with?
Virtual Insanity. Or as Albert Einstein used to say: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Yeah, that’s us, electing… same ol’, same ol’!
GR-eetings!
Oh dear, oh dear!
“I was simply trying to light a fire under the asses of those who want others to contribute solutions while they continue to wank on about their topic du jour.. .”
Wendy dear, if you need to know… I’ve been following the civic politics since I can’t even remember.
And throughout the years, I’ve contributed to the City Hall’s pool of ideas and suggestions many, many times.
The last three years though, were the most disappointing, by far. Still wonder why, check this telling video again and learn about how democracy under Vision looks like. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDcmUQa0WM
So next time before you start your rant against some of the commenters, think twice.
ta da
.. Mira .. my rant was based on your post … and soley on your post .. in the moment.. your past history I don’t know about as I’m new to the page.. nothing in my post spoke to being a fan of Vision.. .. being pissed at the results doesn’t change the results.. .. putting energy and ideas towards solving the problem will yield a more productive use of time.. .. it isn’t an easy problem to solve….
cheers
Wendy
.. grrrreetings Glissando..
.. 4 r’s feels a little better.. how to solve the problem of same ol’same ol’??.. hmm .. I think a systematic change is needed.. a way to engage the large percentage of the population who aren’t voting out of frustration with the system .. and find candidates with a vision of the future(not the party)for all citizens .. to run independantly of the political machine.. .. .. I dunno??? ..in any case.. methinks the solution resides outside the box.. ..
Bestest
Wendy