As Christmas approaches it’s nice to take a break from the relentless passing of time. The old year is all over except for the shouting and the New Year is waiting in the wings. For now there is just the next couple of weeks to think about. There are presents to buy,
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On November 19, we will decide whether or not we want to continue exploring the idea of a National Park on Bowen. As your mayor I want to share my thoughts on this important decision.
Let’s first look back. From the beginning this Council has supported the National Park process. We unanimously
At the 2006 symposium on affordable housing I spoke about Bowen’s problem of rising living costs due to a lack of affordable housing options. At that time, the mayor spoke glowingly about 1) focusing on solutions, 2) the power of people who offer them and 3) his bias to leading by doing and not trying [...]
Also tagged Affordable Housing, Municipal PoliticsThe Municipal election rhetoric is starting to heat up with the pro-development crew taking out full-page ads in the Undercurrent and treating our mailboxes to their propaganda. I read some of it and decided that they were saying almost the exact opposite of what I would say if I were running for council.
Also tagged Cape Roger Curtis, Ferry, Municipal Politics, National Park, Snug CoveAs we approach our municipal elections, I’m girding myself for the candidates who either promise to build and beautify or go on about preserving and protecting. I’d give anything to hear a candidate promise to deal with all of the little things that never get done because of fear that the other side will start [...]
Also tagged Abbeyfield, Municipal Politics, Snug Cove, Surplus Lands, waterThe National Park debate is warming up again. On the one hand I like the fact that it is a sincere debate between people with honestly held beliefs and a passion for the outcome. On the other hand I hate this debate, for exactly the same reasons. While I believe that the outcome is a [...]
Also tagged National ParkWe are often told that politics on Bowen is highly polarized but I’m beginning to think that we’re actually a pretty cohesive group. It’s true that we have a small group that would make us get permits to cut down a tree in our yard and another small group that would love to see a [...]
Also tagged Municipal Politics, National ParkAs we approach another Municipal election season it may be timely to look back at the last three-year term and make some predictions about what the electorate will be looking for in our next mayor and council.
The last term started in December of 2008 with a bang.
“Soon after I moved to the island I received brochures in the mail from the Improvement Association and the Eco Alliance. I thought that both groups had some good ideas and decided to join both of them. Before long it became apparent that it was like joining both the American Republican Party and the Communist [...]
Also tagged Municipal Politics, OCPShortly after the current council took office they outlined certain tasks that they hoped to complete during their term. Ferry marshalling was one of them. So now two and a half years later we get to once again enjoy one of our perennial debates. This time the consultant, along with our new senior planner, waded [...]
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