Frances Bula header image 4

Former Vancouver Sun managing editor Kirk LaPointe launches campaign for mayor

July 14th, 2014 · 74 Comments

Busy day for me and all city-hall journos today as NPA and Kirk LaPointe finally went public, after six weeks of rumours, that he is definitely, really, no kidding, the mayoralty candidate. A group of those of us who cover city hall regularly got invited to meet him this morning at Kafka’s on Main (not […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

NPA mayoralty candidate Leonard Brody talks about what he wants for the city

June 11th, 2014 · 46 Comments

Well, at last, someone willing to talk about what he wants to do if he does end up running.

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Who is the NPA’s third possible mayoralty candidate, Leonard Brody?

June 8th, 2014 · 11 Comments

Gotta say, the NPA’s strategy or non-strategy when it comes to picking (and publicizing) their choices for mayoralty candidate is increasingly mysterious. There has been a steady dribble of leaks from various board members about who the candidates are. First name leaked was Kirk LaPointe’s, my former boss at the Vancouver Sun and currently a […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Speculation rampant about NPA candidates: journalist LaPointe in? Macdonald out

May 29th, 2014 · 22 Comments

Great excitement this week when Mike Howell at the Vancouver Courier was first up to publish news about the rumours that former Vancouver Sun editor, former CBC ombudsman Kirk LaPointe is being considered by the NPA as a mayoral candidate. Mike actually got a live interview with LaPointe that confirmed there’s some kind of negotiation […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Election 2014: NPA fundraiser sells out but no candidates yet; Vision announces its plans for slate numbers

May 2nd, 2014 · 28 Comments

The Non-Partisan Association, in an appreciated act of transparency, passed on the list of people/companies who bought tables at its upcoming gala. My story on that here and the complete list of supporters for the NPA follows here. Gold table buyers – – Vancouver Taxi Association – Concord – Rocky Mountaineer – O’Neil Hotels & […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Vancouver election time: $50,000 dinners, $25,000 lunches, candidates coming and going + more

April 8th, 2014 · 397 Comments

Tried to wrap up all various things going on election-wise with the two big parties these days, which is a fair amount. This is all I could cram in to my Globe story. But to sum up what’s in there, plus more: – NPA fundraiser/gala May 7, where they will announce some candidates. Apparently no […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Downtown Eastside plan puts 80 per cent of $1-billion total investment into housing

March 6th, 2014 · 117 Comments

There is a lot of meat to pick over in the city’s Downtown Eastside plan, even though lots and lots of details are still missing. Last week, we got the quick overview: $1-billion to go into the area overall over the next 30 years, diversity of housing, protection of community businesses and services aimed at […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Non-Partisan Association should die and be replaced, say some, as one group works on creating a “Vancouver First” party

November 20th, 2012 · 52 Comments

I understand my story in the Globe has produced quite a kerfuffle. I await more news.

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Gearing up for Vancouver’s 2011 election: fundraisers, nominations and more

October 19th, 2010 · 2 Comments

The Non-Partisan Association is getting into gear this week for next year’s election with a fundraising dinner — an event they used to hold every year but which was noticeable by its absence last year. The event, starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Italian Cultural Centre (see you there!), should be a good sign […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

NPA slowly moves into first gear with community forum on STIR

September 20th, 2010 · 18 Comments

For those of you who’ve missed it on the Urban Wonks Events calendar here, the Non-Partisan Association is reviving one of its old techniques for developing some public profile. It will be holding a community forum on Vision’s controversial STIR (Short Term Incentives for Rental) program tonight, presumably to capitalize on the dissatisfaction that has […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized