Busy day for me and all city-hall journos today as NPA and Kirk LaPointe finally went public, after six weeks of rumours, that he is definitely, really, no kidding, the mayoralty candidate. A group of those of us who cover city hall regularly got invited to meet him this morning at Kafka’s on Main (not quite the Hipster Aquarium, aka Gene’s, but close) and then there was an announcement on the Jack Poole Plaza at 10.
It was a festival of quotes for us, with Kirk talking about all kinds of things, so everyone went for something a little different. The Georgia Straight’s was about his promise to resign if his team engages in personal attacks. Jeff Lee at the Vancouver Sun said LaPointe wants to remake the city to be friendlier.Mike Howell at the Vancouver Courier, who was the first to ID LaPointe as an NPA candidate two months ago, focused on his promise to be more open and accountable. That was my focus as well, with references to the many talking points he had that have been memes among critics of Vision the last couple of years.
There will be more about LaPointe, as everyone in the media world tries to figure out who this guy will be as a politician, even though many of us know him well as a journalist. In the meantime, a few of my random points/impressions:
– The strongest message he’s pushing is that of Vision Vancouver as secret, manipulative, not listening, squelching access to info and staff, limiting budget information and more.
– If I had to do a word cloud of everything he said over the approximate hour of time we had today, I’d put “authentic,” “open,” “transparent,” “secret,” “progressive,” “coziness (with developers),” “listening.”
– He’s staying away from details on a number of issues that reporters asked about, i.e. What rules will you put in place at the NPA for campaign financing, how will you handle development differently, what changes would you bring to current bike-lane efforts, etc etc. More specifics to come on everything.
– He says it’s a shame that Vision has created such a war between cyclists and drivers, when there are lots of ways to share the roads/sidewalks. Details? See above.
– He clearly loves talking to reporters and, in fact, had to be practically dragged away from the coffee meeting and the later scrum by his handlers
– He made a special point of mentioning, unsolicited, his tough childhood. He was brought up by a single mother, still doesn’t know who his father was, went hungry when he was a kid, felt lucky that his mother chose to keep him with her when she gave up another child.
– Kept saying he’s not going to let Vision Vancouver define him, he’s going to define himself. (Vision Vancouver immediately issues a news release saying he clearly agrees with every dastardly thing the NPA has ever supported and that’s why he agreed to run. And he wants more tankers in our precious waters. I think I translated that right.)
– “The candidate in the best mood tends to win.”
– He says that, persistent Vision-sponsored rumours to the contrary, Ken Boessenkool (formerly with Christy Clark’s campaign and office) is not on the campaign.
– He uses a lot of big words, bigger words than we’re used to, bigger even I’ve ever heard Councillor Geoff Meggs use.
Exhibit 1: “The mayor is exerting a kind of extra-territoriality about his jurisdiction.” (He’s messing in things that are outside the boundaries of Vancouver.)
Exhibit 2: “I’m not a big believer that the ideological pinnings are germane.” (I’m a social liberal and a fiscal conservative and the NPA is not just a Conservative machine.)
74 responses so far ↓
1 Dr. Frankentower // Jul 17, 2014 at 12:52 am
Sorry, Sparty, maybe I should have said “lack of recommendation.” But I’m happy to concede your point and give him the benefit of the doubt when he claims “I’ve devoted my career in journalism to asking the questions you want answered.” And “I’ve fought governments that spin and hold secrets.”
Unfortunately, in the short time I’ve tooled around the Ombudsman’s reviews, and LaPointe’s own blog, and the vagaries of Google, I have so far found zero evidence of him fighting governments that spin and hold secrets.
His follow up to the Smart case is a couple lines and a link to the Mother Corp’s decision. He doesn’t push back, or even comment, on their decision to rule against his finding of a conflict of interest. And despite the fact that CBC makes what has to be an unprecedented decision to write a personal protocol just for Smart in order to enable him to stay at the Leg, LaPointe makes no mention of this extraordinary decision on his blog (that I can find), which is odd given that it is a blog devoted to standards and ethics. His successor in the Ombudswoman position, in contrast, offers her opinion regularly, and has no problem questioning the boss’s decisions. She appears to have far bigger cahones.
In general, his blog appears to be totally devoid of two things: Canadian content, and LaPointe’s own personal opinion on ANYTHING. Given that Harper has greatly restricted press access (locally mirrored by Ballem), passed blatantly spun Omnibus bills, prorogued parliament, etc., one has to wonder why none of this deserves any mention on a blog about journalism? Other commentators suggest he is just a shill for the Fraser Institute types among us, which might explain a lot of this.
So far, the fine smile and ten dollar words don’t seem to amount to much more than another media elite blandly cow-towing to the hands that will feed him. However, if anyone with better Google skills than I can find any evidence of LaPointe the scrappy journalist fighting the spin and secrecy of Big Brother, I will gladly follow your links.
2 spartikus // Jul 17, 2014 at 8:01 am
…and LaPointe’s own personal opinion on ANYTHING.
That’s fair.
As for the Fraser Institute, many have noted the odd, and by odd I mean suspicious, timing of this registered charity’s release of a report on CoV “debt” (see Charlie Smith on why this reeks). Whether LaPointe is sympathetic to Fraser Institute views is open to debate. I’ve seen no evidence. But there’s lots of evidence that major figures in the NPA do embrace those views. This goes back to my main point made on other threads is who is really driving this bus.
LaPointe’s promise of a tax-freeze (which would mean program cuts) seems to be suggestive on that point.
*As for Stephen Smart, almost everyone holds the view he’s an excellent reporter. Perhaps the language in LaPointe’s ombudsman report was diplomatic to reflect this.
3 Jeff Leigh // Jul 17, 2014 at 8:08 am
FHL #48
Enough with the hyperbole. The candidate who is the subject of this thread said there shouldn’t be a war between bicyclists and motorists. Take a hint.
If you want to know what the traffic counts are you can look them up on Vanmap except for current year. No party allegiance required. If you want more current data you can phone 311 and ask for it. The procedure is outlined on the CoV site. You will have to provide a real name. And you will of course be speaking to staff, not elected officials. Again, no allegiance required.
If you want bicycle counts (by month) they are on the CoV site too (but not yet for PGR). Incidentally, Burrard Bridge for June is up by 36% year over year. 109,000 in June 2013 to 148,000 in 2014. I wonder if any of those people vote?
4 Richard // Jul 17, 2014 at 11:30 am
@Jeff
That really isn’t what he said. From above:
He says it’s a shame that Vision has created such a war between cyclists and drivers, when there are lots of ways to share the roads/sidewalks. Details? See above.
He is obviously a master communicator and it is likely no accident that his comments are misinterpreted. That is probably by design.
He is simply playing the blame game trying to pin something on the opposition when it was his own party that tried to use cycling for their own political gain. His previously employer, the Vancouver Sun has not been helpful as well.
It will be interesting to see what their policies are but from what they have said so far, I suspect there won’t be much in there that would encourage the average person to cycle. Almost all of the easy stuff has been done. Any further improvements will likely involve reallocating space. Someone won’t like it. From their comments so far, it doesn’t seem like they will so much leadership on this.
5 susan smith // Jul 17, 2014 at 11:37 am
F.H. Leghorn, #48,
You are incorrect; I absolutely do know the numbers of cars and cyclists for Point Grey Road and the surrounding side streets as they have been provided to residents of the area by letter from the City. As well, locals have conducted their own counts and are continuing to do so. As Jeff has stated above, the counts, and copies of the letters to residents, are on the COV website.
6 Bill // Jul 17, 2014 at 12:08 pm
@spartikus #51
“As for the Fraser Institute, many have noted the odd, and by odd I mean suspicious, timing of this registered charity’s release of a report on CoV “debt” (see Charlie Smith on why this reeks).”
It’s not surprising that you would attack the messenger when the rebuttal you offer up to the Fraser Institute is so weak on a number of counts.
Timing – the report was released in the middle of summer, four months ahead of the election when few people probably were paying attention to the NPA announcement let alone a report from the Fraser Institute. If they had sat on in until October, you might have had a point.
Singling out Vancouver – well Vancouver is the only one on the list with a sizeable deficit. As well, Vancouver is the only local government that can issue debt without Provincial approval so it is important that voters are aware of Vancouver’s financial position when voting for capital plans.
Responsibility for the debt is shared between NPA, COPE and Vision – the Fraser Institute is non-partisan so it is inappropriate to reference any civic party rather than just stating the facts.
7 Bill Lee // Jul 17, 2014 at 1:04 pm
FROM Duelling Point Grey Road/Kits Point picnics today, partying with.. (p48 of 50)
125 Frances Bula // Jul 15, 2014 at 7:36 pm
8 chow // Jul 17, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Bill @55. Thank you for giving me a good chuckle this afternoon. The Fraser Institute is non partisan and I am the King of Siam.
They are non partisan only in the most technical sense of that word: that they are not officially aligned with the NPA, provincial Liberals or federal Conservatives. Which parties their ideology aligns with is hardly a mystery, however. Nor is it a mystery that the Vancouver Sun and Province, except officially, are Fraser Institute mouthpieces.
9 susan smith // Jul 17, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Respectfully, Bill, #56,
Although I agree with you that this issue of the closure of Point Grey Road at Macdonald is a “dead” issue, now that the work has been completed, and Vancouver has celebrated the closure with the Seaside Greenway Party on July 5, 2014, “Brilliant”, “F.H. Leghorn” and “Teririch” on this blog are not willing to recognize the fact and continue to raise the issue.
Moreover, the discussion that Jeff and I were having on the other blog, regarding licensing cyclists and maintaining the helmet law, was not specific to Point Grey Road alone but city wide. In short, it was a different discussion from the one(s) on this blog. Indeed, Bill, you contributed comments on that blog, adding to its longevity.
10 Bill // Jul 17, 2014 at 1:43 pm
@chow #57
” Which parties their ideology aligns with is hardly a mystery, however.”
You have that backwards. From time to time some parties may align their policies with the principles of the Fraser Institute and not the other way around.
11 rf // Jul 17, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Susan,
You are more than welcome to your opinion. You have every right to try and get/preserve what you want.
But make no mistake, pleading that you are not a multi-millionaire living on the golden mile will fall flat as far as sympathy goes.
I am generalizing but you represent, to me, the epitomy of West side retiree/near retiree.
Too many on the West side live in a uncashed lottery tickets meanwhile seeking public subsidy and handouts in the name of lower than average income. Where do you think those subsidies come from? Ironically, from the higher income next generation….that can’t come close to afford the $2million lots people like you live in.
Too many West siders with collective net worth over $2million (after-tax!) gripe about property taxes and then complain that you can’t afford to replace your roof.
The North side of the Golden mile can be thankful that you are there to shill for them.
M
12 brilliant // Jul 17, 2014 at 3:21 pm
@ chow 57 – LOL yes its all a vast mainstream media conspiracy! Are you sure you wouldn’t be happier posting over at The Mainlander?
13 chow // Jul 17, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Brillo-Pad. Thanks but I’ll leave the Mainlander to teririchardson who likes to quote from them even as she shills for mining interests. Strange that!
As for you, dearest Brillo, I would consider anything you write to be worthy of comment when (and only when) you grow a pair of cojones and apologize for your racist stereotyping. So far, you continue as a eunuch.
I did note that in today’s Vancouver Sun, the editorial writers have already endorsed Mr. Lapointe, platform be damned. No doubt they will find several other reasons to endorse him many times between now and election day.
14 susan smith // Jul 17, 2014 at 4:19 pm
“rf”, #60, I assure you that (1) I am not a multi-millionaire, (2) I am not a retiree or near-retiree, (3) I do not seek or receive public subsidies, (4) I am not looking for any sympathy, and (5) I am not pleading anything. I am simply correcting yours and others misconceptions about me and many other people who live on or near “the Golden Mile,” as you call it.
15 boohoo // Jul 17, 2014 at 6:18 pm
@64
Give it up, it doesn’t matter who you actually are, what you actually think or anything relevant about yourself. The trolls here have labeled you as xyz and you are now that thing. I’ve essentially stopped bothering to inform them when things I say are wildly misrepresented, twisted or flat out ignored because they don’t want to be informed. They don’t want a nuanced discussion or to discuss these issues–you’ve been boxed up in a neat little caricature so they can beat you over the head with their assumptions of what they think you mean when you say a, b or c.
It’s the same for others on the other side here as well, thankfully the worst of them hasn’t been seen in a while.
16 susan smith // Jul 17, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Boo hoo, #65, so sad but true. An accurate perspective of the unwillingness of most to learn anything.
17 F.H.Leghorn // Jul 17, 2014 at 9:13 pm
Here we go again susan smith, with the Vision “we know best. If only others weren’t so pig-headed” shtick. It’s that kind of arrogant, preachy, know-it-all attitude that keeps turnout down to laughable levels.
There’s no secret about the market value of practically any property north of 4th. Heck, Peter Wall, that angry rich old white man that Vision bends over for, bought a lot at PGR and Waterloo for $4Million and is trying to flip it for $5 Million and change.
Mike Harcourt built a duplex at Macdonald and PGR. He and his wife live upstairs, his son and his family in the lower unit. The son just listed his half of the property for $4.9 Million. It does have a lovely view across the stret-end park, now mercifully unsullied by those awful cars.
I own a 100-year-old Craftsman on a 33×120 lot on 2nd near Alma. I could sell it tomorrow for $2.5 Million.
So susan smith can dry me a poverty-stricken river. We’re talking the seat of privilege in Vancouver. You’ll see high-rise condo-racks here when Hell freezes over.
18 brilliant // Jul 17, 2014 at 10:34 pm
@Chow Chow-yappy as always. Psssttt 9/11 was an inside job.
19 susan smith // Jul 18, 2014 at 4:21 pm
F. H. Leghorn, #67, I do not belong to the Vision party and am currently undecided as to which party/individuals I will vote for come November, so you are wrong to paint me with your brush of false assumption yet again. The Harcourts bought their home in 2011, three years prior to the closure of Point Grey Road at Macdonald. They had no contol over the closure and were not involved in the closure. What they choose to list their property for, and what they decide to sell it for is their business as it is their property. Vancouver’s housing prices have soared consistently since the 1980’s, unrelated to the closure of Point Grey Road in January of this year. Similarly, Peter Wall’s purchase of property is his business, not yours. What he bought the property for, lists it for, and sells it for involves many factors. The closure of Point Grey Road to commuter traffic at Macdonald may, in fact, be an obstacle to sales on the road for people who want to be able to commute speedily and unimpeded by diversions. The closure at Macdonald, and the other diversions on Point Grey Road, require all residents of the road to spend more time and more distance to get where they want to go. I can assure you that there are residents on the road who are extremely unhappy about this fact. Peter Wall has not yet successfully flipped his lot on Point Grey Road at the price he is asking. The Harcourts have also not yet sold their property. Both properties have been on the market for months. If homes on Point Grey Road, now that it is closed, were such a hot commodity, how do you explain these listed properties not being snapped up?
20 chow // Jul 21, 2014 at 11:30 am
Listened to Mr. Lapointe on the CBC this morning. He was remarkably adept at not answering questions on two obvious issues: the City purchasing the Arbutus Line and the City taking over Granville Island. Each of these were important issues but are ones on which reasonable people may differ. As Stephen Quinn pointed out with some frustration, he is running for mayor and asking his viewpoint is legitimate. In response, Mr. Lapointe:
a) danced – it was too soon, it needed more study, etc. etc.
b) was chippy where rather than stating his position he took cheap shots at the other side.
I know the press like him because he is one of theirs. However, I can’t say I was impressed.
He did add credence to Charlie Smith’s theory that the NPA strategy is to be boring and thereby get younger people and those not in their demographic to stay home so that the angry old farts of the westside can be predominant once more.
21 chow // Jul 21, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Where oh where is teririchardson when we need her? She is always so quick to tell us about one of her political soulmates’ lawsuits against the city, the mayor or any Visionista.
Curiously, she is slow when it comes to posting when those self same lawsuits are dismissed.
So, as a public service, here is the connection to Chief Justice Hinkson’s dismissal of the Cedar folks lawsuit against the Mayor as an abuse of process.
So strictly as a public service, here is the story and link to the decision dismissing the lawsuit: http://www.straight.com/files/files/Chief%20Justice%20Hinkson%2C%20re%20Chernen%20v.%20Robertson%2C%2007-21.pdf
22 teririch // Jul 22, 2014 at 10:35 am
Re: Harcourts investment/involvement in the Pt. Grey ‘Golden Mile’
In July 2011 former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt — an adviser on green and transit issues to Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson — purchased a fortunately placed lot that may have tripled in value after the “Golden Mile” of Point Grey Road was permanently closed to 10,000 cars per day in favour of a bike lane.
Harcourt jointly purchased a home in the 2800-block West 1st Avenue — which sits at the start of the “traffic calmed” section of Point Grey Road — for $2.8 million with his son Justen, a real estate consultant. At the time, the Harcourt lot was separated from a waterfront park to the north by a busy and supposedly dangerous thoroughfare.
Ideas to build a Point Grey bikeway had been kicking around city hall for years, but gained steam with Vision Vancouver’s sweep to power in 2009……
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Point+Grey+Road+becomes+road+riches+Harcourts/9812712/story.html
23 susan smith // Jul 23, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Teririch, #72, explain what you mean by “fortunately placed lot” and provide your evidence that the lot “may have tripled in value” since the traffic diversion at Macdonald Street.
How does one “place” a lot? A lot just exists where it is.
There is no existing evidence of any lot on Point Grey Road tripling in value since the establishment of the traffic diversion at Macdonald Street. I challenge you to prove me wrong.
24 susan smith // Jul 23, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Further, Teririch, I challenge you to prove that the Harcourts purchased their home in 2011 in order to benefit financially from the traffic diversion at Macdonald that was not voted on by City Council until July 2013. That’s some crystal ball you are advocating.