Frances Bula header image 4

Entries from January 2016

Campaign-finance resolution the buzz in halls of UBCM

September 30th, 2009 · 6 Comments

Here’s my Globe story on the efforts of Vancouver councillors and, I should say, SFU prof Kennedy Stewart, to get a motion passed at the Union of B.C. Municipalities supporting limits on campaign fundraising and spending. That’s what Premier Gordon Campbell said is needed before his government will think about setting any new rules. The […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

PSA #2: Biking and sculpture tour

September 30th, 2009 · 2 Comments

Oh, what the heck, while I’m at it … here’s another fun very-Vancouver thing to do on Sunday, before going to the view-corridor debate on Monday. See notice below. The only thing this tour is missing by the way is a swing by the new public art at the 25th Avenue Canada Line station. Has […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

City’s former planner and top architect to debate Vancouver view corridors

September 30th, 2009 · 2 Comments

I don’t promote every debate on urban issues in this city, but this one seems like a can’t-miss to me. It’s also so delightfully Vancouver. Can you imagine another city where people would turn out to listen to an argument about preserving views? Views on Views: Perspectives on view corridors in Vancouver In partnership with […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Robertson unveils new green branding campaign for Vancouver

September 30th, 2009 · 29 Comments

Apparently, I’m allowed to publicize this as of 1:01, so here goes. This the latest from city hall: Vancouver: “Green Capital.”  Get the double meaning? I hope so. I await your scathing comments on how this is just another EcoDensity campaign … or not. Mayor outlines ‘Vancouver Green Capital’ economic strategy for Vancouver VANCOUVER—At an […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Industrial tax revolt a worry among B.C. communities

September 30th, 2009 · 14 Comments

Mayors and councillors packed a session at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention yesterday to hear more about the growing problem of local industries telling small resource towns that they’re not going to pay their tax bills or that they need to have their taxes lowered. (My story in the Globe here.) It’s obviously a […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Who’s pushing to develop along the Canada Line?

September 29th, 2009 · 12 Comments

While debates rage about Vancouver’s budget shortfall elsewhere, we pause for a station break here to look at something completely different. Here’s a story I wrote for the Globe’s business section on how different municipalities handled planning for development along the Canada Line and how. In Vancouver, as I mention in the story and as […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Vancouver looks for ways to cut $60 million

September 28th, 2009 · 55 Comments

The city’s big review of how to make operations more efficient has come in, accompanied by the news that Vancouver is facing a possible $60-million shortfall for next year. Groups have been getting brief all day at council about this. Here’s my Globe story and I’ll post a bit more later on, plus I’d love […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Lest anyone forget: Monday is D-Day for shared-services review

September 27th, 2009 · 5 Comments

The news should start trickling out soon tomorrow morning about exactly what the news is when it comes to the city’s much anticipated/dreaded shared-services review. It’s being presented internally over the next two days, though I can’t imagine the news will stay internal for long. As I’ve reported previously, the city is looking at having […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Board of Variance: How did this mess happen?

September 27th, 2009 · 8 Comments

I just got off the phone with recently dismissed Vancouver Board of Variance member Ray Tomlin to try to understand the events leading up to this week, when city manager Penny Ballem essentially fired him (following a council vote to do so, after getting a request from board chair Tony Tang to look at the […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Board of Variance in the ring again with city hall

September 26th, 2009 · 8 Comments

I’m posting here three documents from former Board of Variance member (as of extremely recently) Ray Tomlin about his removal from said board. I haven’t had a chance to call anyone on this yet, but the documents include a memo and letter from city manager Penny Ballem stating her case, so I’ll count on you, […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized