Provincial and federal politics have been casting big shadows lately, but life is still burbling along on the municipal scene. Some of the news this week.
- The NPA says it has people panting to run for a nomination when the party chooses its candidates June 4.
- The city is planning an underwater bike tunnel.
- Port Moody plans to add a referendum on a casino to its November ballot
- Another round of food-cart mania hits the media, as Vancouver works on selecting 20 new candidates for 20 new spots.
Only one of these is an April Fool’s joke.
28 responses so far ↓
1 rf // Apr 1, 2011 at 9:26 am
Duh…… Port Moody is having a plebicite, not a referendum.
2 Frances Bula // Apr 1, 2011 at 9:54 am
@rf. Oh, you mean because technically a plebiscite is a kind of survey of public opinion and a referendum determines a binding piece of legislation? Good luck sorting that one out with the general public.
3 IanS // Apr 1, 2011 at 9:56 am
Hmmm.. the whole Port Moody thing has kind of an April Fools Day ring to it…
4 rf // Apr 1, 2011 at 10:01 am
No time to sort it out.! Just got a green job designing bicycles that work in outer space.
5 Morry // Apr 1, 2011 at 12:29 pm
fuddle duddle!
6 Tessa // Apr 1, 2011 at 1:26 pm
The “funnel” story is hilarious. I’m assuming it’s a joke.
The NPA story is also kind of a joke, though. Since when can a party go to a newspaper and say “We’ve got lots of people who are wanting to run for mayor and we’re not going to tell you any of their names” and get a story?
7 Max // Apr 1, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Tessa #6
The NPA hasn’t had their nomination meeting yet, so until that takes place, they can’t disclose who is running for what.
8 Max // Apr 1, 2011 at 1:57 pm
A note to my #7
And I would guess the NPA was contacted by the paper, not the other way around.
9 Glissando Remmy // Apr 1, 2011 at 2:10 pm
The Thought of The Day
“You take the Fifth and then turn left on Cambie. Walk up three blocks, then turn to the right on Eight. In front of the Whole Foods Market you stop and have an epiphany. This is not America!”
JUST IN
Gregor Robertson, the avid biker, free walker and running mate of the fit and restless, recently got caught in a City of Vancouver $7,175 transportation allowance scheme.
When asked about it, his response was
‘I’ll take the Fifth thank you!’ and then he called a friend up North…Sarah Palin.
JUST DEPUTY
A disoriented man, walking barefoot, wearing long dress pants, dress shirt and a red tie was seen walking in pouring rain around City Hall this morning. When stopped and asked about his well being, Sadhu Johnston responded ‘Leave me alone, I’m doing laundry… COLD’
JUST TWITTER
‘Video shows me, Penny, contradicting Kerry Jang & Sadhu Johnson on #PandoraStreet deaths http://ow.ly/3zDSz Is City culpable? You bet. Got to go. We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.’
10 Tessa // Apr 1, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Max #6 I’m referring not to who won the nomination, but who is running for the nomination. The NPA claims they have plenty of candidates for that meeting but don’t say who they are. It hardly warrants a story, regardless of who made the initial call (nor would I fault the NPA for making the call, if they did. It’s the newspaper’s job to not just publish anything that lands on their desk).
11 Bill McCreery // Apr 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Can’t agree with you Tessa.
John Moonen was quoted in the Province:
“five people who have expressed an interest in becoming our mayoral candidate.”
“…Prospective challengers must go through a vetting process before being allowed to throw their hat into the ring”.
And: “They don’t have to commit until May 4.”
As well as: “We’ve generated quite a lot of interest… We also have way more people than we currently need to run for council.”
The above clearly states the current situation with respect to the NPA’s forthcoming nomination. That in itself is newsworthy. As for who these people are, once again clearly, you will know after 4 May and once the potential candidates complete the application process. I wouldn’t be announcing to the world that I was a potential candidate until I was. Would you?
12 Michelle // Apr 1, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Bill @ 11.
I heard from different treads that Glissando Remmy is one of the five mentioned above by John Moonen in the Province. Can you confirm? Thanks.
13 Bill McCreery // Apr 1, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I am not privy to that information, sorry.
14 boohoo // Apr 1, 2011 at 11:03 pm
….reading this and the cluster…on citycaucus I would almost vote for anyone who has the guts to run outside these two ridiculous childish parties. Regardless of their platform, it would prove to me they are capable of thought…
15 Deacon Blue // Apr 1, 2011 at 11:26 pm
If Glissando were to stand for public office, then I would be one of many F**-ing happy Bulabloggers to vote for him!
However, the costs and the logistics—never mind the visual hilarity of the helmeted biker about to dive into the murky and mercurially polluted waters of The Creek—make my vote for the bike tunnel as being the Fools Gold.
Now, had it been simply a “bike lane underwater”… well, that would have cast the issue in a different light. We have those virtually all over town!
16 Joe Just Joe // Apr 1, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Don’t think the NPA is organized enough to pull it off, but If they were they might be better off playing dead as long as possible. Letting Vision think they won’t have competition in the next election, allowing Vision be more likely to approve controversial issues in the meantime and push away more swing voters. Then jump in with a well organized campaign just in time. the play has worked in the past, just don’t think this is the organization best suited to pull it off.
17 Roger Kemble // Apr 2, 2011 at 8:36 am
Michelle @ #12 Yes, Glissando would make an excellent candidate and would surely add imagination, wit and poetry to what the past shows as, usually, pretty stilted civic campaigning.
If Bill @13 cannot confirm at this date then we can be pretty sure Gliss will be a no show and who could blame him.
Has it ever been fun for an also ran?
For as usual, come January 2012, Vancouver will still have Mayor Compound Interest sitting in that chair, wearing the gilded civic chain of office.
As always . . .
18 Chris Keam // Apr 2, 2011 at 10:21 am
“the murky and mercurially polluted waters of The Creek”
My understanding is that the water in False Creek is pretty clean, in fact, almost clean enough for swimming. Wouldn’t it be a great thing to be able to advertise ourselves to tourists as a city with an urban beach?
Another point. Murky water is often a sign of sea water that has life in it. Crystal clear water is dead water.
19 Everyman // Apr 2, 2011 at 10:24 am
I hope the NPA has a good mayoral candidiate, but really, wouldn’t capturing the majority of Council seats be just as effective in neutering Robertson?
With the rapid turnover of real estate on the West Side, I worry about the future of the NPA though. If news reports are true, and offshore elements are snapping up huge amount of properties, this could change the whole balance of power in this city. If Vancouver is just a pit stop, or you’re not even Canadian, the chances of getting involved in civic politics is nil.
20 Max // Apr 2, 2011 at 10:44 am
There was another story missed from yesterday:
From the Province:
‘Downtown taxis to be banned’
http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Downtown+taxis+banned/4540887/story.html
21 Bill McCreery // Apr 2, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Yes I saw the banned taxiis item also Max. But, look at the date. The weird thing with the reaction to the unusual number of similar media stories yesterday together with the followup comments really highlights how bizarre Vancouver politics has become under Vision. Are we sure they are for real, or maybe they’re not.
22 Roger Kemble // Apr 2, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Max @ #20
Ref. Province article Apr. 01 . . . (note the date)
1. “ . . . replace all taxis in the downtown core with human-powered rickshaws.” Wow, there’s an April one idea!
I much prefer the bike tunnel! But hey Gregor may just give this one a shot . . .
2. “. . . converting the city’s cab drivers into fit-as-fiddle rickshaw runners.” Now there’s a challenge. After age twenty-five, and a diet of Vancouver’s movable dream feasts, watch those runners expand.
3. “Vancouver’s taxi business is already seen as one of the most forward thinking on the planet, with a large fleet of hybrid cabs.”
Planet? It’s the beginning of April again!
Oh for god’s sake this hyperactive hyperbole is so embarrassing: some one may believe. It makes like Vancouver is so desperate to find a foot hold on the ladder of desperation.
Gas conserving green and yellow Beatle cabs have been plying El Monstruo for as long as I can remember . . . like since 1968 and probably before . . . Centro bici-cabs tambien!
4. “Vancouver’s notorious rainy season . . . You wont find me sitting out in the open, in one of April’s showers on a wet seat!
5. “. . . and even though the downtown core is relatively flat, there are some hills that might prove a challenge when pulling a full fare.”
Try pedaling up Granville from the Pan Pacific with a full load of well fed biz folk on their way home to the Shangri-La.
What happens when they are in-bound from YVR and need to pick up reservations at the Fairmont. Do they transfer on Oak? Or do they just wait for April 2.
6. Cab-Shaw . . . ummmmmm . . . this is more Gregor’ humour . . . it’ll fly for the summer. Then poof!
Bill @ #21
No not real . . . as you say, look at the date . . .
Jeezless, it’s so easy to be dog-in-the-manger in this place even when April one is gone!
23 Max // Apr 2, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@ Bill #21:
I know it was another April Fool’s day article, but, as you mentioned there seems to be a theme.
A ‘subtle’ jab of sorts.
24 Glissando Remmy // Apr 2, 2011 at 10:31 pm
The Thought of The Day After
“When the Whole Wide World fools around on the 1st of April, every year…Glissando rests.”
Every year I am saying the same thing. But is anyone paying attention? Nope.
Who’s ADHD now, eh? With one single exception, here on Frances’s site (in an effort to increase her traffic as a friendly gesture… but with mixed results) I did not post anything else yesterday. True. That was no accident.
See, I was kind enough to let others give it a try, one day per year.
In regards to that list of NPA’s Mayoral hopefuls, and if it were still Yesterday, my answer would have been “Yes, I’m on that List, they just don’t know it yet’ Hope this clarifies it, and thanks for your support.
In any case, I see myself as an Independent spirit not bound by the intricacies of Party allegiances. Isn’t that why we hate them so much in the first place?
I am putting together a Press Release, a team of Spine Doctors to make me sit up straight and look good, and a Bio-Hazard-Graphy. ‘Remember, politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently and for the same reason.’ We are made of 95% water. The remaining 5% is solid bullshit. Live with it.
Now, here’s my take on the First of April:
…FEDERAL
JUST STEPHEN
Harper announced that in the case he loses in the next election, he’ll leave politics for good and will dedicate all his time to a lifelong ambition of his – that of becoming an Irish belly dancer.
JUST JACK
Layton promised to cure hunger in Africa if he becomes the next Prime Minister. He also promised more Jihad for the Taliban.
JUST MICHAEL
In an address to an auditorium full of McGill University students Ignatieff said ‘To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the ‘C’, the drop-outs and to the foreign students, I say you too may one day become President of the United States.’
JUST GILLES
‘A vote for me is a vote for your local Liquor store. Let the French wine revolution begin. ’53 LAFITE, ’61 LATOUR, ’70 PETRUS, ’75 YQUEM, ’82 FIGEAC, ’83 MARGAUX’ , Gilles Duceppe – Troglodyte Extraordinaire
…PROVINCIAL
JUST DIX
For whoever says Adrian sold fishy memberships, you’re dead wrong. It is a known fact, the deal was ‘Buy one membership, and a friend of our choosing gets one for Free. What’s so hard to understand?’ Jeez.
JUST CHRISTY
Christy Clark and her son spent some quality time in Granville Island today, down at Kids Market. While they were inside the ‘Buratino’ Wooden Toys store, the little one was heard saying ‘But mommy, you promised, one Thomas the Tank Engine for you and one for me!’
…MUNICIPAL
JUST GREGOR
Gregor Robertson, the avid biker, free walker and running mate of the fit and restless, recently got caught in a City of Vancouver $7,175 transportation allowance scheme. Keep in mind that when it came to spend out of his own pocket, he couldn’t spare fare for a two zone ticket three years ago, on a trip to Burnaby.
When asked about it, his response was:
‘I’ll take the Fifth thank you!’ and then he called a friend up North…Sarah Palin.
JUST DEPUTY
A disoriented man, walking barefoot, wearing long dress pants, dress shirt and a red tie was seen walking in pouring rain around City Hall this morning. When stopped and asked about his well being, Sadhu Johnston responded ‘Leave me alone, I’m doing laundry… COLD’
JUST TWIT’ER
‘Video shows me, Penny, contradicting Kerry Jang & Sadhu Johnson on #PandoraStreet deaths http://ow.ly/3zDSz Is City culpable? You bet. Got to go. We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.’
See? No jokes.
25 Sailjunkie // Apr 3, 2011 at 10:02 am
On any other date, I would take this seriously. However, the posting on April 1 makes me suspicious.
26 Michelle // Apr 3, 2011 at 4:08 pm
LOL
Glissando, please, please, say you’ll run for the city. Do it for people like me! As an only way to get to meet you! BTW, what would be the first thing you’ll change or do if elected?Platform, debates, campaigning, need volunteers, fund raising…count me in. We are fed up with Vision and the NPA doesn’t look to appealing either.
27 Higgins // Apr 4, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Roger and Michelle and boohoo…
Hear, hear.
28 George // Apr 5, 2011 at 11:20 am
Glissando
I second everything that Michelle @26 said….
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