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New poll coming on what people thinking of Robertson’s handling of Occupy Vancouver

November 8th, 2011 · 39 Comments

Yahoo, just got a call from a polling firm. Can’t believe I haven’t been contacted before, with all the polling that’s been going on in town.

But today got the robo-call from Forum Research with only a key few questions.

That’s the same firm that did a Canada-wide poll on mayors recently and came up with somewhat weird results, i.e.  that only 54 per cent of people in Surrey would vote for Dianne Watts again, although she had a 68 per cent approval rating. That’s even though 85 per cent voted for her in the last Surrey election.

Anyway, I digress.

1. Who are you voting for? Suzanne Anton, Gregor Robertson, Randy Helten, another or undecided

2. Which party are you leaning to? Anton’s NPA, Robertson’s Vision, Helton’s NSV or other

3. Do you approve or disapprove of Gregor Robertson’s handling of the Occupy Vancouver protest?

4. Who did you vote for in the last election?

And then some demographic questions. (Clue to you pollsters: I didn’t answer a single question on the poll truthfully. Check out the answers from the 25- to 34-year-old males and you’ll find me. Or not.)

So we can expect the results out sometime just before the election. Just remember, you heard it here first. These results will be absolutely reliable.

 

Categories: Uncategorized

  • RossK

    Reverse-freeping a robo-poll?

    Say it ain’t so Ms. Bula….

  • Gordon

    Why would you mess with a poll? That isn’t very nice.

  • Morry

    Polls are to be messed with. I have always done so and always will. And you have to be careful how you do it, because well crafted questionnaires when machine-read can pick out the “anomalies” and “outliers” i.e. the lies are not consistent. And then your poll is thrown out. 😉

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    How about that. Speaking of polls, here’s one conducted by Vision Vancouver friends and donors: polling company Stratcom and developer Ian Gillespie’s Westbank properties trying to profile sentiment, people’s sexual identity, etc. on the rezoning of 1401 Comox in the West End:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5XbxNOZp4g

    Bonus item: Vision Vancouver’s Tim Stevenson pulling the wool over West Ender’s eyes in the 2008 election campaign – something about not letting the West End become another Yaletown, despite subsequently voting in favour of rezoning Maxine’s at 1215 Bidwell for a luxury condo with STIR shoe boxes at the podium base.

  • Westender1

    Funny – I got the call also. But was not asked Question 2.
    (I could tell from the robo-voice however that they had spelled “Helten” correctly in all of the questions….)

  • Frances Bula

    Oh, you didn’t get asked Question 2 because of the way you asked Question 1. I said I was undecided in Question 1, so they did a follow-up with what I was leaning to.

  • George

    Ha..I’m too honest I never even thought to mess with those irritating poll callers, but I will now and Frances the age /gender thing was brilliant…I must try that next time!

  • Jeff L

    I got the call, and no question #2. Nice change from the incessant “do you want to join the town hall” calls. Sometimes I mess with the profiling questions. Sometimes not. It is good to keep them guessing.

  • Silly Season

    No one ever calls me.

    *Sob!*

  • Glissando Remmy

    The Thought Of The Night

    “I went for a palm reading and a Tarot spread this evening. The lady said to me: ‘You are going through a selection of sorts soon… ‘ I said: ‘Election you mean!’ … The Tarot spread, hmmm, it turned out that in order to avoid The Judgement, The Fool must change places with The Hanged Man, then get rid of The Devil by unveiling The Magician, which in turn will be sent to The Tower for The final Judgement and to meet The Emperor. The Sun And The Moon will be still chasing each other…”

    Also.
    I’ve Just Been Couriered Z Complete List Of Winners & Losers In Z 2011 Municipal #Vanelxn aka Vancouver Election!
    No Gimmicks;
    No Exagerations;
    No BS;
    I’ve Got Z Names!

    You read the here first!

    Here They Are:

    We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.

  • MB

    I never picked up because we screen robo calls. Nine times out of ten they never respond to the voice mail message.

    However, if they asked if election candidates should live in the community they’re running in, I’d say “Yes.”

    I was very surprised to learn that Bill McCreery lives in Richmond. Say it aint’so, Bill. You were the only NPA candidate I was seriously considering voting for because of your experience in urban design and with TEAM in the past, but not any more.

  • Dan Cooper

    I almost always hang up on robocalls and autodialers, and my son has picked up the habit from me (good boy!), so a few weeks ago when we got the one kind I would actually enjoy taking – a poll – my son hung up on it. *sigh* Hoist on my own petard.

    http://www.link4u.com/taliban.htm

  • MB

    Click on “Nomination Papers” at the bottom of the screen to see Bill McCreery’s Richmond address.

    http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/elections/2011election/profiles/Profile_Councillor.htm#mccreery

    Vancouver may be only across the North Arm, but it’s a universe away on urban and social issues.

    It’s the principle of the thing, Bill. You are otherwise a very qualified candidate.

    I am reminded of when Bill van der Zalm who was then living in Surrey ran against Mike Harcourt, a consumate Vancouverite. Mikey won hands down.

  • Chris

    I went through all of the nomination papers and created maps showing where each candidate lives.
    http://canadianveggie.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/where-do-vancouvers-city-council-candidates-live/

    Bill McCreery is the only candidate who doesn’t live in Vancouver (and Suzanne Anton signed his form twice for some reason).

    Other interesting findings:
    – there is a fairly even spread of candidates throughout the city for the major parties, except in southeast Vancouver – where there are virtually zero candidates from that area (Green Parks Board commissioner Stuart Mackinnon is the only one)
    – a large majority of the independent candidates live in East Van.
    – a few independent candidates (like Bang Nguyen and Peter Raymond Haskell) are running for two positions – like City Councillor and School Board. I didn’t think that was even possible.

  • IanS

    @Chris #14,

    Thanks. Interesting map.

  • brilliant

    @MB 13 And Fred Hume governed Vancouver as mayor for 7 years from his West Van home, so whats your point? And lets not forget Mayor Moonbeam only parachuted into Vancouver just before his lacklustre stint as NDP MLA for Fairview.

  • MB

    @ brilliant, Fairview is in Vancouver. Robertson has lived in Douglas Park for years.

  • MB

    Did I mention, brilliant, Douglas Park is also part of Vancouver?

  • MB

    @ brilliant, Hume was also mayor of New Westminster for several years before he bacame mayor of Vancouver. He did indeed live in West Vancouver.

    http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/whoswho_mayors.htm

    However, by extending your logic a Prince George candidate could run in Esquimalt for a seat in the BC legislature, or a person living in Red Deer, Alberta, is justified in getting elected in Vancouver Centre.

    Bill could have rectified this issue by simply renting a suite in Vancouver during his campaign, and maintaining it if elected.

    Principles are principles, and we need more of them today then we did in the 50s.

  • brilliant

    @MB 17/18 No kidding Sherlock. And Gregor discovered the area’s charms when he parachuted into the area from his farm in Langley just before running. Regardles, McCreery apparently also has anapartment in Vancouver.

  • Jeff L

    I wondered if McCreery’s Richmond address would come up. I saw that in his nomination papers early on. I really think that candidates should live where they are running.

    Also interesting is NSV’s nomination of McCreery as part of their virtual slate. I would think that a party dedicated to the voice of individual neighbourhoods would want their candidates actually, you know, living in one of those neighbourhoods.

    Anton didn’t just sign McCreery’s nomination papers twice, she also signed twice for Affleck and Klassen. Not sure what that says, whether she couldn’t remember signing a few lines up or what. It won’t matter, since they all had more than the minimum number of signatures required. It isn’t a flip flop, the usual charge against her, but rather more of a lack of attention to detail. I think it is interesting that someone wouldn’t check the lists, and simply cross out any oversights.

  • MB

    Civic politicians, who have the authority to make bylaws regarding taxes and zoning (and whole a bunch of other things), should live in the community their policies affect.

    There outta be a law ….

    This is much different than unelected civic employees who can live anywhere they choose.

  • F.H.Leghorn

    @MB#13: “…when Van der Zalm ran against Harcourt…”. Takes me back. I called the VdZ campaign and requested a lawn sign. Couple days later 2 guys in a van put up a big one, 4×8 sheet of plywood nailed to several doug fir 2x4s. When they drove off I tossed out the plastic wrapper (“Vancouver needs Van der Zalm”) and used to the free lumber to build a sandbox for my children. Vancouver needed VdZ like a hole in the head.

  • Richard

    @MB

    Put the information out there and let the voters decide. Regardless of where he lives, McCreery’s lets study everything forever style would not bode well for the future of Vancouver. We need leaders who are willing to take action and make bold decisions not ones that want to study and plan everything to death to avoid making tough decisions.

  • Agustin

    I am curious as to why Bill would want to be in office in Vancouver instead of Richmond.

    I don’t know if it’s a good idea to make it a law that officials must live in the city they govern (the logistics of applying it seem very arduous), but it just strikes me as odd – why not run in Richmond?

  • Mira

    MB #13
    You are such an ice-hole!
    Robertson moved to… Vancouver prior to his bs stunt as a lame MLA! His house was bought through a corporation, it seems that for these guys avoiding paying taxes/ or extra is in their blood, not paying for sky-train fare, property taxes or paying themselves 1,000,000s through “charities” is the NORM!
    Bha bye!

  • Victor

    MB ,

    FYI…Bill McCreery is a City of Vancouver property owner and voter.

    He has lived and worked in Vancouver for thirty six years. He owns and maintains a furnished home in Vancouver. However, for the past year he has lived with his partner in Richmond. This suits her work requirements best . He will be returning his Vancouver home in the near future when it fits their work schedules.

    In addition, anyone who knows him is aware of his huge commitment to Vancouver not only as a former Park Commissioner, but also his work over the past years with City neighbourhood groups and through his fine architectural practice.

    Those who follow this blog will be well aware of his commitment to and knowledge of Vancouver issues. Maybe MB is political newbie to this blog?

    Bill has huge integrity and maybe MB should check the facts before she/he points fingers.

  • Mark Allerton

    Oh well, Victor’s explanation is more boring than I was hoping for. I was speculating that Bill had been driven into exile from his Anchor Point home by the bike lanes, vowing only to return when they were torn up.

    By the way Victor, you seem to be missing the point a little in your criticism of MB. Anyone who is not a newbie on this blog would have been under the impression that Bill lived in the Anchor Point buildings at Hornby/Burrard/Drake – because this has been a frequent reference point in his postings. So I think it’s a surprise to everyone – and therefore notable – that he is not in fact currently living there.

  • MB

    @ Victor 27, I am completely aware of Bill’s commitment to Vancouver in the past and his long history. I wanted to vote for him because of that. But tonight at the advance poll that vote will go to NSV’s Elizabeth Murphy, who seems just as intelligent, because of the residency issue.

    The fact remains as clear as his own handwriting that he listed his address as being in Richmond, which means that, if elected, he’d make decisions about Vancouver while being a Richmond ratepayer. This doesn’t help his campaign, especially when taking issue with policies like laneway housing (read Fabula’s next story).

    Lastly, he hasn’t to my knowledge made any effort to clear up this Vancouver councillor -Richmond resident issue by stating where he intends to live, or listing any Vancouver residences he may own or rent. All we potential voters have is his nomination papers, his blog comments, and his web site, and what political commentors say about him.

    Talking about Robertson’s residency (not to mention a lot of personal animosity) falsely implying he moved to Vancouver only after getting elected isn’t the same as running as a resident actually living in another city.

  • MB

    @ Mira 26 …………. well, I have been called that to my face probably twice in 60 years.

    I don’t know you, but judging from your semi-articulate comment, the last thing you are is an Ice Queen.

  • Joe Just Joe

    While I agree that I prefer someone that lives in the city they are running with. Bill is still a ratepayer in this city. What’s next don’t vote for anyone that rents because they only pay indirectly?

  • brilliant

    @@Richard 24 Your usual shorthand for “I want someone who will ram through their narrow idealogical beliefs without listening to their constituents”.

  • MB

    @ JJJ, isn’t that up the Bill to clear up?

  • Richard

    @brilliant
    Please put words in other people’s mouths. That is really inappropriate. Public consultation is obviously necessary and working to solve people’s legitimate concerns is critical but after a certain point, decisions have to be made and we have to move on. Otherwise, nothing would ever get done.

  • IanS

    @Richard #34:

    I don’t think anyone would disagree with the proposition that decisions need to be made, even bold decisions. However, I suspect that one’s enthusiasm for such bold decision making is directly proportional to the degree to which one agrees with the decisions being made.

  • Agustin

    However, I suspect that one’s enthusiasm for such bold decision making is directly proportional to the degree to which one agrees with the decisions being made.

    I agree! So why don’t we talk about the merits of different ideas instead of hiding behind calls for “consultation” and “further study”? [This is not directed at you, IanS.]

  • Everyman

    The authorities in London seemed to have no problem clearing this Occupy protest in Trafalgar Square. It is only a lack of resolve that prevented our mayor and police from doing the same:
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8879973/Police-drag-demonstrators-from-Occupy-Trafalgar-Square-student-protest-camp.html

  • IanS

    @Augustin #36:

    I don’t disagree. Studies can sometimes be used as a pretext for procrastination.

    But sometimes it is necessary to undertake a study or review to assess the effectiveness of a particular course of action, in order to make sure we’re on the right path. (I’m not saying that is the case with laneway housing one way or the other. )

    Just pointing out that decisions sometimes require information and consideration. And a bad idea is a bad idea, however boldly it’s reached.

  • BruceM

    Thank you Francis for all your work. I’m a big fan! You called the last election–care to call this one?

    I’m also a big fan of Vision. I think they’ve got it about right. If you don’t like activist government and just want caretaker government, the NPA is for you. But it seems to me they ran the city for most of 25 years and allowed the deterioration of the Downtown Eastside and the rise of homelessness. Both of these have improved under Vision. (And please spare me your sarcastic remarks about the DTEast Side. My husband has a business there and I’ve seen the positive change.)

    Of course, with this stupid Occupy Movement, Vision will probably lose. Too bad, they’ve been a good smart progressive government. But they got nailed by events they couldn’t control.