One of the things I’m struck by every time I go out and talk to homeless people or those who have relationships with them is that, as much as affordable housing for that group is needed, sometimes it’s not the only route to solving a problem. Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore told me, during a […]

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Last year, it was gas tax all year long. I predict this year it’s going to be all about the decision on which new-tech, high-tech, waste-to-energy system for garbage disposal Metro Vancouver decides on. Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore says the RFP is likely going to go out by the end of March, with a […]

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A funny story posted in response to a previous entry, but for those who missed it: a description from a well-meaning citizen about how interactions go with 311. BTW, dear 311 operators, I love you just fine and so do many others, including this poster, for the most part. Actual problem resolution. I’ve tried it […]

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The tree is down, we’ve eaten shortbread for breakfast for the last time this season, and it’s time to tackle the new year. And it feels as though this one will be significantly different for all kinds of reasons for people in my world: – Vision has a solid second mandate and already appears to […]

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The Richmond RCMP charges against five people accused of running a dial-a-dope-and-gun operation in Richmond, New West and Vancouver likely would have been a short story in the Richmond paper, except for one thing: the name of one of the accused, which rang a bell for Richmond Review reporter Martin van den Hemel. It turned […]

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A relevant article from the Toronto Star that will be of interest here, given the number of strange and, as it turns out, completely erroneous polls that were published in the two months leading up to the election, e.g. the NPA poll that said Suzanne Anton was running neck and neck with Gregor Robertson, a […]

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As I sit waiting for my shallots for the cranberry sauce to roast, Christmas wishes to all of you, including my non-Christian friends hunting for open Chinese restaurants today. It’s funny how, even when you’re half a century from being a child, you still wake up on Christmas morning feeling excited, transported to a special […]

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In case you haven’t seen it elsewhere. I have to say, what is with all these memos and staff change announcements being put out at such odd times? From: Johnston, Sadhu Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 4:09 PM To: Direct to Mayor and Council – DL Cc: Corporate Management Team (COV) – DL; Coulson, Marg […]

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I’ve had a few calls about a blog post that appeared on the site of Curve Communications, the company that belongs to new councillor George Affleck. In it, someone who appears to be a staffer trying to root for the boss wrote that Curve Communications, as well as Affleck, had received “a three-year mandate” from […]

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I got sent this internal Penhy Ballem memo Friday night, one that many city staffers themselves missed, as they downed tools early Friday afternoon in preparation for the annual two-week shutdown at the hall. (Rather an odd time for such an announcement, really — the ultimate “we don’t want people to see this” timing.) As […]

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