It’s hard to know where to start. The election was a total shock to some and a foregone conclusion to others. We have gone from a council that was so myopic that it was painful to one that has the potential to reverse the direction that the last four municipal councils championed. I’m torn between [...]
Also tagged Municipal Hall, National Park
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
Many years ago my wife and I were part of a group of friends who loved to play board games. We got a new game called Diplomacy and scheduled a game for the following Saturday night at Hilary and Doug’s place. Hilary wanted to photocopy the rules and distribute them before the game so I [...]
Also tagged Surplus LandsI went to the All Candidates meeting at the school last weekend. Most of it was as dull as dishwater but Nerys Poole was a star. I kid you not. When it came to the mayors debate Nerys squared off one on one against Jack. While Jack demonstrated an astounding lack of knowledge of local [...]
Also tagged OCP, Surplus LandsAt 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, Island LifeThe 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, Island Life, 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, Island Life, Snug Cove, Surplus Lands, waterEvery now and again you stumble upon an idea that gives you a whole new perspective on an old and perplexing problem. I recently listened to a TED talk entitled “Trial, Error and the God Complex” and it struck me how well it explained our Municipal Council’s propensity for commissioning expensive studies that we never [...]
Also taggedWe 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 Island Life, 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.