Monthly Archives: May 2012
Victoria council considers service cuts, layoffs
By Bill Cleverley, Victoria Times Colonist, May 23, 2012 Service cuts, including the possibility of layoffs, were part of the discussions Tuesday as Victoria city councillors met behind closed doors with senior city staff to map out a strategy to lower future tax increases. The special session held at the Victoria Conference Centre was billed … Continue reading
CFUV radio interview: Victoria mutiny, Paul Phillips and City land sales
Listen to this CFUV radio interview with Chris Cook from May 21, 2012, where I discuss my research on the forgotten Victoria mutiny of 1918, the recent passing of Fernwood activist Paul Phillips, and controversy over the sale of City-owned land: Link to CFUV radio interview, May 21, 2012 // Download CFUV radio Podcast Tweet
Information gap should give council pause
By Simon Nattrass, Monday Magazine, May 18, 2012 Two weeks ago, the city announced it would entertain an offer from Ralmax Group to purchase the land in Vic West currently occupied by the Point Hope Shipyard. The decision — made at 11:30 at night in absence of any information other than a brief verbal report … Continue reading
Editorial: Remove veil from public land sales
Victoria News, May 16, 2012 Last week two Victoria city councillors hosted a forum on selling public land to help highlight decisions coming down the pipeline – the potential sale of industrial property surrounding the Point Hope Shipyard and land near the Northern Junk building. Councillors Ben Isitt and Shellie Gudgeon asked the question: what … Continue reading
Victoria forum on sale of public lands draws interest
By Roszan Holmen, Victoria News, May 14, 2012 As the city prepares to entertain the possible sale of a second piece of prominent public land, some are calling for a made-in-Victoria policy to guide such sales in the future. Irwin Henderson presented his research to a standing-room only community forum last week. “It’s a matter … Continue reading
CFAX 1070 interview: City-owned land
Listen to this CFAX 1070 radio interview with Adam Sterling from May 11, 2012, where I discuss issues including the proposed sale of City-owned land as well as proposals for regional policing: Link to CFAX radio interview, May 11, 2012 // Download CFAX radio Podcast Tweet
Isitt right to question Glenlyon tax status
Letter to the editor published in Victoria News, May 9, 2012 Re: Tax break irks neighbour (News, May 4) Thanks to Bill Sudds and Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt for speaking out on tax breaks for private schools. Yes, Glenlyon is only one school, as Coun. Marianne Alto says, but it is an example of systemic injustice. Glenlyon … Continue reading
Victoria neighbours prompt city to reopen Chandler-Gonzales pathway
By Roszan Holmen, Victoria News, May 7, 2012 In response to a groundswell of activism, Victoria city council unanimously decided to invest funds to reopen a mid-block pathway in Fairfield this year. The 35-metre Chandler-Gonzales pathway owned by the city connects Pemberton Park with Chandler Street. it has been closed to pedestrians since the mid … Continue reading
Roundabout revisited for key crossing
By Bill Cleverley, >Victoria Times Colonist, May 5, 2012 Returning to a roundabout at Hillside Avenue and Douglas Street might improve traffic flow on the Douglas corridor, says Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt. The traffic circle at the intersection of Government Street, Douglas, Hillside and Gorge Road was built in the late 1940s and demolished in … Continue reading
Debate delayed as councillor reined in by mayor
By Ben Isitt, Victoria Times Colonist, May 4, 2012 Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin felt compelled to call a time-out to rein in Coun. Ben Isitt during a debate Thursday on approval of a modified charter for the Johnson Street Bridge replacement project. Fortin abruptly moved the meeting into an in camera session when Isitt suggested … Continue reading
Naming rights decision for City postponed
By Liz McArthur and Andrea Boyes, CFAX 1070, May 3, 2012 A decision on naming rights for City of Victoria facilities has been postponed by a committee Thursday afternoon. The Governance and Priorities Committee moved to wait before tabling a policy on naming rights. Instead, staff will prepare a draft naming rights policy and send it to the … Continue reading
Tax break for Glenlyon Norfolk school sparks opposition
By Roszan Holmen, Victoria News, May 2, 2012 Bill Sudds has no issue with his neighbour, Glenlyon Norfolk School. He isn’t bothered by the school’s operations, half a block from his house on Somenos Street in the Gonzales neighbourhood. Nor does he object to its high fees or its independent-school mandate. He just doesn’t want … Continue reading
CRD complains about power outages at its headquarters building
By Bill Cleverly, Victoria Times Colonist, May 2, 2012 Power outages are becoming a problem for the Capital Regional District’s Fisgard Street headquarters building, say senior staff. “[The power supply] is becoming less reliable, and it’s certainly less reliable than our old site [on Yates Street],” Diana Lokken, general manager of corporate services, told members … Continue reading
CFUV Radio: Selling City Land
Listen to this CFUV radio interview with Mehdi Najari from May 1, 2012, where I discuss strengthening procedures for selling City-owned land, including increasing opportunities for public consultation throughout the process: Link to CFUV radio interview, May 1, 2012 // Download CFUV radio Podcast Tweet
City of Victoria to consider selling Harbour Road lands
By Roszan Holmen, Victoria News, May 2, 2012 The City of Victoria will entertain an offer from Ralmax Group of Companies to purchase four marine industrial lots on Harbour Road. In an in-camera meeting last week, council voted 7-2 in favour of considering an offer. “No decision has been made, only the decision to at … Continue reading
