24
2010
20
2010
Plebiscite motion fails at Park Board
At the July 19 Park Board meeting the following motion was put forward for the consideration of the Board:
MOTION
The following motion was put forward by Commissioner Mackinnon:
WHEREAS at a special board meeting dated November 27, 2006 the Vancouver Park Board passed a motion to review the Parks Control By-Law relating to captive cetaceans in 2015;
AND WHEREAS the residents of Vancouver value the ability to express their views on relevant issues of the day;
AND WHEREAS a plebiscite is a non binding democratic tool to survey the public sentiment;
THEREFORE be it resolved that a plebiscite be held during the 2011 Vancouver civic election asking the public if they are in favour of ending the containment of cetaceans in Vancouver parks, including the phase out of existing cetacean exhibits which are located on land leased by the Park Board.
The motion failed to gain the majority support on the Board. The majorities position was largely based on the notion that because Vancouver Park Board had entered into a contract with the Aquarium 20o6 for an expansion with the provision for a review in 2015 to have a plebiscite now would not be in the best interested of the VPB.
Here is Commissioner Loretta Woodcock’s remarks on the motion before the vote which went down 2 to 5.
19
2010
VPB Hires new General Manager
Parks and recreation veteran named head of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
July 19, 2010 – Aaron Jasper, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and City Manager Penny Ballem today announced the appointment of Malcolm Bromley as General Manager, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.
The appointment follows a national search undertaken by a sub-committee of the Board and confirmed by the Board.
Malcolm Bromley has over 30 years of experience in parks and recreation management in Ontario, leading high performance teams, delivering quality programs and leading the integration of recreation programs following the amalgamation of several municipalities into the City of Toronto.
Since 2007, Malcolm has served as Director of Community Recreation for the City of Toronto. He has provided strategic leadership for recreation services across the city including aquatics, ski hills, active living, sport development, community programs and customer service.
Over his career, Malcolm has held supervisory and management positions in parks, forestry, and recreation operations in the Ontario cities of Belleville, North York and Toronto. He has also served as a part-time professor at Humber College where he led classes on a range of recreation topics.
Malcolm has a reputation as a strong builder of partnerships with other levels of government, the public, community groups and other key stakeholders.
Malcolm’s skills and experience within large municipalities will be invaluable to the management of Vancouver’s world renowned parks and recreation facilities.
He will begin his new duties in early September.
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Media contacts:
15
2010
Recent news about St. Paul’s Hospital
Westender
The following story appeared in in the Westender, where I am quoted in regard to recent developments about the renewal of St. Paul’s Hospital. The article is reposted here with the permission of the author. Thanks to Jessica Barret.
Savings in saving St. Paul’s?
By Jessica Barrett
Supporters of revitalizing St. Paul’s Hospital at its current Burrard Street site, as opposed to a long-mooted plan to build a new hospital near False Creek, say doing so could present economic benefits beyond eliminating the expense of construction.
In an interview with WE, Brent Granby, president of the West End Residents Association and vice chair of the Save St. Paul’s Coalition, pointed out that St. Paul’s “has an over 100-year social history of being [on Burrard Street].” As a result, he said, other community- and health-oriented groups, including the Dr. Peter Centre, have situated themselves nearby. “There are opportunities for cost savings in terms of partnering with [those] groups.” Continue reading Recent news about St. Paul’s Hospital →
13
2010
7
2010
Are our community centres public space?
At Monday June 7th’s Park Board meeting Commissioner Hundal is going to move a motion to allowing HST canvassers to collect signatures in Vancouver’s community centres. His motion is as follows:
WHEREAS the Fight HST campaign is a legitimate, democratic citizens’ initiative of public expression and action that is officially recognized by Elections BC; and
WHEREAS the introduction of the HST will increase the costs of essential programs and services offered at Vancouver community centres and as a result negatively impact patrons, particularly low income residents, youth and seniors; and
WHEREAS the Vancouver Park Board has written a public letter to British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) voicing concerns that the introduction of the HST may lead to decreased public use of recreation services; and
WHEREAS the introduction of the HST may have a direct negative impact on the Vancouver Park Board’s revenues; and
WHEREAS the Vancouver Park Board limits the use of Community Centre lobby space for public gatherings due to operational and safety concerns;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Vancouver Park Board grant the Fight HST campaign temporary access to all community centre lobbies for the remaining duration of its campaign.
Commissioner Hundal’s motion raises some interesting issues about public space and charter protected speech.
In Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom in Section 2 under Fundamental Freedoms the following rights are articulated.
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.
Clearly in subsection (b) freedom of expression is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.
So why the need for Commission Hundal’s motion? Under the Charter of Rights and Freedom, anyone can go into a community centre and express their political rights to collect signatures. This is indeed how it works. As long as one is not disrupting the operations of the community centre folks can go into community centres and collect signatures.
For example, in the West End Community Centre. last Friday I notice a petition on the information desk from a group who are concerned about a proposed rezoning.
So why is this group able to collect signatures in a community centre without a motion at the Park Board?
Rather than bring a motion that “grants temporary access” to the Fight the HST campaign shouldn’t the Park Board bring a motion forward that affirms the that political speech like collecting signatures on a petition is a charter protected right?
4
2010
San Francisco founder of Critical Mass, June 16, Gordon House, 7 pm
CHRIS CARLSSON IS COMING TO VANCOUVER!
Chris is director of the multimedia history project Shaping San Francisco and was one of the founders and editors of the San Francisco magazine Processed World
He also co-founded the monthly bike-ins known as Critical Mass that have spread to five continents and over 300 cities. Carlsson has edited four books, published a novel, After the Deluge, (Full Enjoyment Books: 2004) and his most recent work is Nowtopia (AK Press: 2008).
He will be in Vancouver from June 16th – 20th as part of Car Free Vancouver Day!
Chris will be speaking about Critical Mass, pirate radio, guerrilla gardeners and the invisible revolution of everyday life that is setting the foundation to address for profound global challenges of the era, from climate change to social decay.
Car Free Vancouver Day is hosting three events with Chris:
Wednesday, June 16th : 7:00
Gordon House, 1019 Broughton St.
Co-sponsored by West End Residents Association
Thursday, June 17th : 7:00
Riddim and Spice, 1945 Commercial Drive
Co – sponsored by the Work Less Party and Gateway Sux
Saturday, June 19th : 1:00
Mt. Pleasant Community Centre, #1 Kingsway
Co-sponsored by Our Community Bikes and Momentum Magazine
13
2010
World Naked Bike Ride, Vancouver is June 12, at 2 pm
Event: World Naked Bike Ride – Vancouver
What: Protest
Start Time: Saturday, June 12 at 2:00pm
End Time: Saturday, June 12 at 3:00pm
Where: Sunset Beach
To join the Facebook event:Vancouver Naked Bike Ride
13
2010
West End discussion on community needs and affordable housing
City of Vancouver host a West End discussion on community needs and affordable housing, second session
Thursday, May 13, 6;30 pm – 8:30 pm
Empire Landmark Hotel
1400 Robson Street,
Crystal Ball Room
(both sessions will provide the same information and follow the same format. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided)
12
2010
Rezoning open house today at 4 pm – 7 mp at Best Western Sands Hotel
Rezoning open house for 1754 Pendrell Street.
Today
Wednesday May 12, 4:00 pm – 7 pm
Best Western Sands Hotel,
1755 Davie Street
For more information on the proposed rezoning:renzoning centre website
Brent Granby is a community activist, family man and all-around decent human being. Currently president of the West End Residents Association, he lives with his wife and two daughters in Vancouver's West End. He enjoys cycling, cooking, fine wines and fine literature.
