Tagged With: local politics
Homeless ruling needs pragmatic city response
Letter to the Editor published in the Victoria Times Colonist, 17 October 2008 Now that the B.C. Supreme Court has struck down Victoria’s anti-camping bylaw, let’s hope that city leaders adopt a more pragmatic and compassionate approach. Too much public money has already been wasted fighting the basic principle of the right to shelter. The … Continue reading
Public sewage treatment saves money
Letter to the Editor of the Victoria Times Colonist, 28 November 2007 Why is it that Halifax can build a public sewage treatment system for $400-million (one-third municipally funded) and the CRD considers a $1.2-billion, public-private system? The population of Greater Halifax was 372,000 in the last census, compared with 330,000 in Greater Victoria. Even … Continue reading
Where have all the corner stores gone?
Published in Fernwood News (Victoria), 21 October 2007 Against the backdrop of rising land values and a booming village centre, half of Fernwood’s corner stores have disappeared in recent years. Is this a sign of gentrification? Since 2004, the following small retailers – all operated by Chinese-Canadian families – have closed their doors: Wall’s Food … Continue reading
When property rights conflict with the right to shelter: Victoria’s homeless and Winnipeg’s Derelict Building Bylaw
Published in Fernwood News (Victoria), January 2007 The private real-estate market does not provide adequate housing for low-income people. As the cost of land escalates in Victoria, property owners (like myself) can realize large capital gains, but a growing number of fellow citizens are squeezed into substandard housing and onto the streets. This is the … Continue reading
Congratulation to Quadra-Hillside residents
Letter to the Editor for Hillside-Quadra Community News (Victoria), April 2006 I am writing to congratulate residents of Hillside-Quadra on their efforts to establish a community garden. For years, neighbourhood residents have lobbied public officials to make land available for this important community use. The efforts of PATH (Promoting Action Toward Health) and NAG (Neighbourhood … Continue reading
Why we need a new CRD electoral coalition
Published in Lower Island News (Victoria), March 2006 Democratic socialists and progressive allies in Greater Victoria have achieved strong representation in provincial and federal politics. At the municipal level, however, right-of-centre politicians dominate public office in the Capital Regional District. The result is inaction in the face of urban sprawl and growing inequality, which conflicts … Continue reading
Fernwood groups fill gap
Letter to the Editor published in the Victoria Times Colonist, 3 February 2006 As a Fernwood resident and parent, I applaud the majority of Victoria city councilors who approved funding for the Fernwood Community Association and Fernwood Community Centre Society. Contrary to the opinions of this newspaper, both groups serve an essential role in our city … Continue reading
Reality of drug use
Letter to the Editor of the Victoria News, 8 June 2005 In a recent article (‘Nothing safe about this junk’), newsgroup columnist Tom Fletcher describes safe-injection sites as a ‘questionable bit of social engineering.’ Fletcher has every right to hold this opinion, but it seems to ignore the real-life situation in Victoria today. We do … Continue reading
Community centres need funding, not decommissioning
Letter to the Editor of the Victoria Times Colonist, August 2004 I am writing regarding the proposed closure of Victoria’s community centres. While action must be taken to meet the city’s future recreational needs, I am not convinced that city council is moving in the right direction. On July 8th, council received the report of … Continue reading
Lowe was beatable
Letter to Lower Island News (Victoria), November 2002 As the dust settles on Victoria’s municipal election, it is important to consider a bold proposition: Alan Lowe was beatable. My campaign won 5047 votes to Alan Lowe’s 9655. As I told our mayor at his victory party on the night of Nov. 16, he ran a … Continue reading
Farewell Bouchard, hello local sovereignty
Published in the Martlet (Victoria), 18 January 2001 Many have celebrated the resignation of Quebec premier and Parti Quebecois leader Lucien Bouchard as a victory for Canadian unity and a defeat for the cause of sovereignty. I see it as an opportunity to engage in serious questioning rather than blind flag-waving. One can feel affinity … Continue reading
A tax on the poor
Letter to the Editor published in the Victoria Times Colonist, 13 October 2000 Kudos to city councilor David McLean for upholding Victoria’s prohibition on slot machines (“Victoria reconsiders slot prohibition,” TC, Oct. 13). Gambling is a losing game. It amounts to a tax on lower-income people who dream of security and success in a world … Continue reading
Ben’s Open Office
Thursdays 5-6pm
Solstice Café
529 Pandora
Email: Ben@Isitt.ca Councillors@Victoria.ca
Make a Presentation to City Council
Register of Lobbyists
-
-
Ben’s Photo Album
Lower the speed limit in Victoria to 30 km/h
Letter published in Fernwood News (Victoria), December 2008 As a parent, cyclist and pedestrian, I’ve got a bold proposal for neighbourhood safety – lower the speed limit on all City of Victoria streets to 30 km/h. Unnecessary, excessive, foolish? The current limit, 50 km/h, enables commuters to race along Fernwood’s borders – Pandora, Cook, Shelbourne, … Continue reading »