Author Archives: Ben

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 »

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 »

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 CFUV radio interview, May 11, 2012 // Download CFAX radio Podcast Tweet

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. … Continue reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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

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 »

By Bill Cleverly, Victoria Times Colonist, May 1, 2012 Victoria city council has agreed to consider selling four city-owned industrial waterfront properties in Vic West valued at about $17 million. The Ralmax Group is the potential buyer. But Coun. Ben Isitt says the move is premature and that the city should ask residents whether they … Continue reading »

By Roszan Holmen, Victoria News, April 29, 2012 Residents of an affordable family housing complex were surprised by a building-wide eviction notice April 24, despite assurances from the owner that renovations wouldn’t uproot them. “I’m in a little bit of a panic,” said Hope Yayaheekoot, who lives in one of 64 units at Quadra Villa, … Continue reading »

By Kyle Reynolds, CFAX 1070 News, April 28, 2012 More then 140 workers were killed on the job last year, and today community members will gather to remember them on the National Day of Mourning. Locally, over 600 delegates from CUPE BC’s annual convention will join the Victoria Labour Council and city councillor Ben Isitt … Continue reading »