I would like to follow up to COPE’s Jan. 29th press release “Vision Vancouver city councillor owns oil stock despite party’s green stance,” and a subsequent article that appeared in 24Hours “Vancouver councillor divests after oil stocks questioned“. Ensuring accountability and transparency is a full time job, and one that none of us has the…
New Years 2014 — the numbers are in!
On January 1st, my partner Penny and I had our annual New Years Day drop-in event at our home. This year, we turned it into a fundraiser for COPE. Entry was by donation, and once inside attendees enjoyed an enormous feast put together by Penny. A big thanks to everyone who came out and made…
And in other (corruption) news…
Below is another Letter to the Editor I wrote in response to an article in the Vancouver Courier. Nothing surprises me any more! Re: “Citizen polling website contract awarded without tender” (Vancouver Courier, Jan. 2nd) Hats off to your reporter Mr. Mackin for exposing Vision Vancouver’s awarding of a contract worth over $150,000 without tender….
Letter to the Vancouver Courier
I submitted this letter recently to the Vancouver Courier in response to this article. To the Editor, Re: “Vision rides high as Vancouverites fume” (Vancouver Courier, Dec. 24) Allen Garr has it 50% right. Vancouverites sure are fuming, and who can blame them? Vision Vancouver has handed tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars to developers…
Why I am running for the COPE Board of Directors
At the April 7th 2013 COPE AGM I will be running for a seat on the executive as an Independent COPE candidate, along with five other people – Paul Houle, Kim Hearty, Tristan Markle, Wilson Munoz and Stuart Parker. I am running for the COPE executive this year because I believe COPE must return to…
City needs to look at Beach Towers redevelopment with affordability lens
The proposed infill redevelopment in the West End, at Beach Avenue and Harwood Street, is another example of Vision Vancouver’s approach, which provides incentives and benefits to developers without ensuring affordability for tenants. The city is promising incentives to the developer, but is not asking for any affordability requirements in return. As a result, the…
My New Year’s reveries
I was in my local coffee shop when I overheard the following conversation at a nearby table. While I don’t usually eavesdrop, I couldn’t help myself. I found myself getting more and more excited as the conversation continued. AT first all I heard was bits of general talk “… yes, I tell you I have…