The province is tightening up its lobbying rules a little bit on Thursday, making it clearer who needs to register as a lobbyist and removing the $150 fee to encourage people to do so. No attempt made to regulate what lobbyists can do, except for what is being called the “Ken Dobell” amendment, which prohibits […]
Entries from January 2016
New lobbying rules come into effect for province April 1. Not a joke
March 30th, 2010 · No Comments
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Ex-chief electrician gives his side of the story to the Tsakuminator
March 30th, 2010 · 38 Comments
Whether you think Mr. Tsisserev is a loyal employee who was unfairly dumped on or a dogmatic ,righteous and disgruntled ex-employee (people I talk to at city hall generally say the former) and whatever you think of Alex’s questions, this interview is a fascinating glimpse into the backrooms of city hall. http://alexgtsakumis.com/2010/03/30/exclusive-on-the-record-with-former-vancouver-city-electrician-ark-tsisserev-the-interview/
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Vancouver pushes for a “green, urban” casino
March 30th, 2010 · 21 Comments
The province is hoping to get through the city’s rezoning process, complete with public hearings, for the downtown casino in the next eight months so that Paragon can start digging and, soon after, start paying its lease to the province to help pay for the roof. But city types are already sending warning shots across […]
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Another take on the Vancouver Art Gallery: Roy Arden
March 29th, 2010 · 14 Comments
An interesting letter from artist Roy Arden that has made its way to me. I submitted the letter below to the Vancouver Sun ‘Commentary’ section. Although it is under the word count limit, they wanted to publish an edited version. The edited version did not correct grammar but removed the reference to the media and […]
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Bring on the taco trucks
March 29th, 2010 · 11 Comments
I have seen culinary street-food heaven and it is this: travelling street-food trucks. Los Angeles has become a home for this new form of gastronomy, which has also become the site of a new form of fusion cuisine, the Asian taco. I’d been hearing about this new thing for a while now — trucks roaming […]
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Chief electrician docs released; payout $177,000 + letter saying reports of electrical problems wrong
March 26th, 2010 · 23 Comments
This is currently circulating at city hall, a place that is as porous as limestone these days. My only observations at this point are that the payout is not a lot, considering that Mr. Tsisserev was making in the $120-130,000 range the past couple of years. I’m sure there will be lots of commentary on […]
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$450-million 24-hour casino, two hotels confirmed for BC Place
March 26th, 2010 · 25 Comments
Here’s the official news on the mega-entertainment complex planned for beside BC Place. Let the brawling begin. By the way, I’ve been told by the city that Pavco had already made inquiries about how high the towers could go and have been told that the province, just like everyone else, will have to respect the […]
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Bans or limits on civic-election campaign donations not such a big issue: minister
March 26th, 2010 · 4 Comments
The province’s task force on civic electoral reform is slowly generating more interest these days, with the realization that maybe something really is going to change. I did my brief summary on the issues in the Globe here, but there’s a lot more material around and information to be had. The big items are 1. […]
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Province goes after DERA with lawsuit
March 25th, 2010 · 8 Comments
I heard earlier this week that there was a housing bomb coming down the pipe from province. Here it is, the province taking over the once-venerable Downtown Eastside Residents Association after an audit that they say shows provincial money was being used improperly.
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Coleman says Vancouver needs to pay half the cost of operating Gregor shelters
March 25th, 2010 · 32 Comments
The city had its day in the media sun Tuesday, with a homeless count that seemed to be proving that having more shelters is keeping people off the street. The housing minister got his day today, with his Colemanesque gentle ultimatum that, if Vancouver wants to open more shelters than the province currently funds, it […]
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