2010 By-Election Results

Well, the results are in.
With around 10020 votes, we'll be getting a new bridge. The vote was split about 60/40, with about 6522 people voting no.

As far as the candidates go, Marianne Alto will be filling the vacant seat in council.
Here's a link to the results on the City of Victoria webpage.

Happy? Disappointed?
It can be a bit disappointing, but that's why it's important that people get involved.

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Final Countdown

So with huge turnout at the advance polls and only 18 hours before general voting begins, this is shaping up to be an interesting week (and year)! A lot of people are urging you to get out and vote of the referendum, and so Victoria Votes would like to take a minute to do the opposite. Vote on the bridge, sure, but don't neglect the Council vote as well! History has shown that people running for re-election almost always get in, and so whoever wins this round will quite likely be sitting in their seat for alot longer than a year. Choose wisely, because you might not be able to take it back - and do make the choice, because otherwise someone else is going to make it for you. We called everyone to touch base, and here is what they said:

The Candidates Say (in no particular order):

Saul Andersen

The interviews are fun, and I'm still getting good feedback from people. I'm a little disappointed in the city for the extent to which they've used their marketing power to push the yes vote on us. What's the point in having this referendum if they've already made up our minds for us? Meanwhile, I think it's got boondoggle written all over it. When was the last time an $80m project came in under budget? What happens when it goes over budget? What about the interest, how much more does that count for?

Anyway, I'm encouraged by the voter turnout at the advanced polls, and regardless of whether you vote for the Council spot or not, vote for the referendum, that's the real issue this time around.

Saul is having a DIY campaign shirt screening at the Olio collective, 614 ½ Fisgard, bring your own shirt, from 12-4 on Saturday.

Marianne Alto

I think it's been such a fascinating experience. People have been so receptive and welcoming, wanting to talk about a range of issues, which I've been really quite thrilled about because people have been so focussed on the bridge. I've had a great opportunity to talk to people about homelessness, transportation, and how people would like to be involved in city government.

I guess the most interesting thing has been people coming up to me and talking about totally unexpected things like skate parks, spotzoning, garden suites... It seems like when people are engaged they really think about what's best for their community, and it's been a pleasure to discuss that with them.

My biggest concern is voter turnout, so I guess the message I'd like to get out to anyone who reads this is if there's any issue at all that really touches you, the first step to getting that addressed is to get out and vote.

I'd also love to have the opportunity to thank all the people who have been so supportive and welcoming.

Barry Hobbis

Well I'm feeling average. I think it's going to be very close on the referendum and the election. That said, I hope the referendum gets a no vote, and I also think there are some other people running that if they won I wouldn't be terribly upset. My final message is a) get out and vote, and b) pay attention to what's going on in your city, next time don't end up playing catch up with your Mayor and Council over issues like the blue bridge.

George Sirk

One one hand you have the Kings and Queens of Council saying they are in favour of Heritage, while with the other side of their mouths, they are ordering up the smelters to fire the boilers! Victorians have to ask themselves, "Why is the longest serving Council member opposed to destroying our city's icon?" Vote Sirk for Real Heritage Values! Let's throw Council into the boilers!

Rose Henry

I am feeling frustrated over the lack on information getting out to the public. We need to bring everyone to the table. Starting with First nation in either council position or an adviser role, also we need to get other people facing multiple barriers involved in the decision making role. We need to get the voters attention

Hugh Kruzel

It has been an energizing six weeks. I hope we can continue and grow this engagement. Increasing the turn-out to City Council meetings and getting citizens to willingly participate in committees could be a reality if many took an active interest beyond election fever. I encourage all to come to the table with their ideas. I hope the current and future councilors understand that there are many who will stand and defend ideals, due-process, and principles. Democratic behaviour means our voices are welcomed and respected. My prayer is that strong voter turn-out will bring a message that independently and collectively we can shape the texture of our urban landscape, how our city functions, and how governance should perform. The ways and means employed by the city to sway the referendum is not an acceptable route. Yes, Vote, but VOTE NO.

Susan Woods

I am very pleased that I've had the opportunity, as a candidate, to share my view that the Blue Bridge is an important heritage asset that we must respect and protect. I have found that most voters agree, and I believe that there will be a solid "no" vote this Saturday. Thank you for your coverage of this by-election. Well done.

Paul Brown

I am feeling optimistic while at the same time trying to be realistic. I am pleased with my campaign. I believe I have had a significant hand in shaping the agenda beyond a focus on the blue bridge, particularly around the need for 'regional funding for regional issues' (as opposed to the pipe dream of amalgamation).

I also have been pleased with my ability to challenge other proponents, Marianne Alto in particular, around her platform. In some ways I feel badly for the way I have challenged her, however she has the support of the NDP, most on Council and Organized Labour - she needs to speak to the issues and though has been reluctant to.

I am not without fault as well. Being a first timer, I have been naive in many areas, however my strengths are two fold: a well thoughtout issue based platform; and my ability to present my ideas concisely and clearly.

Pedro Mora

I feel very pleased by being able to participate in this democratic process.

Rimas Tumasonis

I'm tired and hopeful. I think people will probably come to their senses and realize that the blue bridge flap is a scam – you know them [council] by their actions, not their words. I am convinced and ever hopeful that people will vote for me, I can be a fresh young face and still not one of the usual suspects. Even if I don't get in, I'm sure my ideas will live on.

Steve Filipovic

I do think it's going well, a lot of people are coming up to me and thanking me for what I'm doing and complimenting me on my campaign. The really important thing now is to get your neighbours out, call your friends and get them to vote. Share your enthusiasm for our our democracy.

The News Machines Say:

B Channel did a final interview series and linked all of their previous interviews there for further study

Monday's front page article is about the election

Also, The Week in Monday has some interesting stuff

Thanks everyone for making Victoria Votes a huge success. According to our most recent count, we got just under 1400 visitors to this site, so hopefully we've done our jobs and at least that many people are better informed than they would have been. Get out and vote tomorrow, and best of luck to us all.

V V

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Holy voter turnout, batman!

From the Times Colonist:

The future of the Johnson Street Bridge seems to be catching the imagination of an increasing number of Victorians.

At the close of two days of advance polling, there has been a 33 per cent increase in advanced voting compared with the last general election in 2008, the city says.

A total of 1,459 people have voted in two days of advanced polling, including 816 who voted Monday.

Residents are being asked whether they favour borrowing $49.2 million toward replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge, and to select one of 11 candidates running in a council byelection.

The last general election in 2008 saw 27 per cent of Victoria's 64,000 eligible voters cast ballots. The last opportunity to vote will be Saturday — the day of the byelection.

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

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Updatification

So! Today was the final advance voting day, leaving us with five, count 'em five days left before general voting day, which is this Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm. We've said it before, but best of luck to us all.

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Now, first thing's first, the news:

Monday's article on the referendum

Another series of interviews from B Channel News

More on the vandalism situation mentioned in our previous post

Time Colonist candidate bios

Focus Magazine appears to be hosting a forum on the Bridge at Alix Goolden Hall on the 17th at 7pm.

johnsonstreetbridge.org has started it week-long Blue Bridge art show at Studio 16 1/2 in Fan Tan Alley.

Don't forget about this: The City of Victoria Youth Council, the Students of Colour Collective, and the University of Victoria Students’ Society are pleased to provide an opportunity for young voters to engage with candidates running in the upcoming by-election at an All Candidates Forum on Thursday November 18th from 12:00-1:30 at the Uvic Cinecenta in the Student Union Building

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Moving on, are you going to vote on Saturday? 'Cause you should. Why, you ask? There are a lot of reasons, one being that you have a chance to honestly and truly have your say in how the biggest infrastructure project this city has ever seen goes ahead.

Another reason (this one's an oldie but a goodie) is that municipal governments have the most significant direct impact on your life. Just because zoning is one of the most boring things you'll ever come across in life doesn't mean it can't decide what you do for a living, where and how you do it, where you live, how much your property is worth, and much more. Maybe you don't own any property, but sit down a figure out how much of your rent is your landlord's property tax. Having trouble finding an apartment? Maybe that's because the city's secondary suites bylaw needs some love. You get the point.

But you know what the best reason for voting is? It takes half an hour, and if you don't do it everything will stay exactly how it is right now, nothing will change, and we'll all just go on wondering why life slowly gets weirder and harder in our beautiful, sleepy little Victoria.

Best of luck to us all,

V V

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Community Micro Lending and the Victoria By-Election

Victoria Votes had a chance to sit down with Lisa Helps, the Executive Director of Community Micro Lending. Helps is the former board chair of the Fernwood NRG, and has been a community activist in Victoria for many years. This is the first in what will (time permitting) be a series of interviews with interesting community members, showcasing some of the awesome stuff going on in our city and how it relates to the by-election.

Victoria Votes: What do you do?

Lisa Helps: Community Micro Lending (CML) does two things which are directly related to the election - poverty reduction, and economic development. Specifically, what we're doing is poverty reduction through economic development, creating small loans that lead to employment. The people we lend to don't qualify for loans from traditional sources, but they have good ideas. Maybe someone wants to start a small business, or expand their landscaping business by buying a couple of rakes and mowers - we help them by providing the start-up capital that they wouldn't otherwise have.

V V: Why is this important?

L H: First of all, a lot of people work in each area, but this does both, it brings everyone together with a common goal. It also builds community over divides of class, race, culture, everything. I'm always inspired at our meetings to see lenders, borrowers, business owners, people just starting out, all building community together.

V V: How does your work relate to the next year for City Hall?

L H: The city just recently put together a committee to figure out its economic development plan. In the midst of all the issues of the moment, it's important to continue to think ahead, and Community Micro Lending is part of that.

V V: So what can Council do over the next year to further the goal of poverty reduction through economic development?

L H: Approve an Official Community Plan [Victoria Votes will talk more about the OCP later] that fosters economic prosperity over the next 30 years and ties economic development to community wellbeing.

Also, when thinking about their economic development strategy, develop policy, tools, and cultivate talented staff to make it easy for someone who is poor and has no experience with bureaucracy or setting up a business to access City Hall. Basically, make City Hall open to entrepreneurs who might not look the part.

Finally, create zoning that makes it easy for people to a) have home-based businesses, b) allows creative land-use practices, and c) allows for more flexibility in land use, especially in neighbourhood centres.

V V: What are some important qualities for a candidate?

L H: Someone who has a vast amount of experience in the community, who is visible in the community and brings with them a strong base of support.

Somebody who is visionary, who's not going to sit at the Council table and talk about what kind of siding a building should have in order to qualify for a rezoning.

Someone who has a genuine ability to work across differences, who can bring people together.

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Thanks to Lisa for taking the time to sit down with us! Check out Community Micro Lending's blog, which Lisa will be updating on a weekly basis here.

Community Micro Lending is also hosting a fundraising event on Tuesday the 16th (poster below).

Lisa Helps will be running for Victoria City Council in 2011.

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Another All Candidates Meeting

Just got word of this one:

"The Committee to End Homelessness in Victoria will hold an all candidates meeting Monday November 15 at 7 pm. at the St Andrews Church Hall, Courtney off Douglas. All eleven candidates have promised to attend. There will be open questions and refreshments."

Last year's meeting organized by the same group was interesting, should be worth a look this year as well.

V V

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Youth All Candidates Meeting

Just got this in an email. If you're a UVIC student, it might be hard to get out to another all candidates meeting between studying and everything else, so here's a chance for you to go grill some politicians on how closely their values align with yours. Have Fun!

V V

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On November 20, 2010, a by-election is being held to fill one vacant seat on Victoria City Council. At the same time Victoria voters will be asked to vote in a referendum on borrowing for the Johnson Street Bridge.

The City of Victoria Youth Council, the Students of Colour Collective, and the University of Victoria Students’ Society are pleased to provide an opportunity for young voters to engage with candidates running in the upcoming by-election at an All Candidates Forum on Thursday November 18th from 12:00-1:30 at the Uvic Cinecenta in the Student Union Building

Youth, students, and Victoria residents are invited to bring their ideas and perspectives to a discussion around our community’s priorities.

For more information please contact Caitlin Schwarz at youth@bchealthycommunities.ca or 250-356-0876

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Did you know you can link stuff?

Did you know we can post links? We sure did. We just added something to the links page, after finding this awesome site, and have been keeping a list of other local news blogs, candidate websites, and other cool stuff if you feel like some self-directed study.

Council candidate Rose Henry had a press conference yesterday to announce her disapproval of the tactics used by what she identified as an extremely small and non-representative group of poverty activists, as well as the actions taken against herself in response. Henry explained that after the incident with the Mayor's property, her vehicle was also vandalised with mud, with which was written "Fuck You, Fuck the Homeless".

In addition to condeming both incidents, Henry noted that these events were and unwelcome distraction, and said that she would rather turn her attention back to the community at large while maintaining active debate around poverty issues in this city.

In other news, B Channel, being their usual fantastic selves, have conducted yet another series of in-depth candidate interviews, this time on infrastructure.

Click here for B Channel's infrastructure interviews.

Here for their poverty interviews.

Here for their general interviews.

And now, here's Tom with the weather.

V V

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All Candidates Meeting

Yesterday evening there was an all candidates meeting hosted by the Fernwood Community Association. We were there collecting pamphlets (and rolls of toilet paper from Rimas) and, you know, taking notes on all the candidates.
Everyone had 5 minutes to speak about whatever they wanted - themselves, the issues, anything at all and then the floor would be opened to questions. Most candidates gave a brief introduction about themselves including their backgrounds (personal and otherwise) and what they felt they could bring to the table.
A few topics were discussed and pretty much everyone had something to say!

Regarding the blue bridge, Steve Filipovic has started that the bridge can be refurbished for (please correct me if this is wrong) $8M. as opposed to the amount stated by the city. Apparently there was a report published in 2008 (again, this may be wrong. Sorry!) with the $8 million dollar price tag for fixing the bridge. This report has now gone missing, but Steve says that an e-mail that is relevant will be published in Focus magazine. Rose Henry, Saul Anderson, and Barry Hobbis pointed out the fact that we can hardly afford to pay for a shiny new bridge when we can't afford to help the homeless in the city. Rose made the point that we will all be paying for the bridge to be replaced or refurbished, it's really just a question of where the money will come from. Either from an increase in taxes, or cuts to jobs, social programs, and affordable housing. Barry feels that we should maybe look at spending more money on things like roads, our out of date pipes, and infrastructure. Saul sees the city as a metropolitan city with a small town budget which would force the taxpayers to bear the brunt of the bridge costs.

The possibility of closing off part of the downtown (specifically the touristy part of Government Street) car to vehicles came up as an audience question. Hugh Kruzel would be totally for it as he is concerned by the growing amount of boarded up, valdalized windows, and businesses fleeing the downtown core. This would be a way of making the area more interesting for tourists as well as being one way that the city could go green. Marianne Alto didn't have a definite answer. She feels there should be discussion with the local business owners first to discuss the pros and cons before making any rash decisions.

Amalgamation; What's up with that?
For anyone unfamiliar with the term, Wikipedia defines it as "the joining of two or more administrative units". In terms of Victoria, it would mean combining the municipalities. Chances are this won't happen by the time the next election rolls around, but a few of the candidates had some words to say on the matter.
Paul Brown is against the idea because he hasn't seen much in the way of financial cooperation from other municipalities. Other municipalities should be willing to come to the table with financial help with our projects if we're willing to help fund theirs. The whole idea may be just a dream.
George Sirk is also against amagamation but for a different reason. He feels that our neighbourhoods (James Bay, Fernwood, Fairfield) may lose their identities. It's important that all the areas of town are different, and have been allowed to grow in independence. We may receive no representation in a larger group.
Susan Woods, however, feels that it may be possible is approached sensibly in a cohesive manner. We should look into combining areas that already have much in common, such as combining the downtown core, Esquimalt, Vic West, and Saanich into one municipality. The same goes for the Western Communities (Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke) and the Peninsula (Sidney, Broadmead). Our individuality wouldn't be lost, it would just cut down on the bureaucracy.

Neighbourhood associations?
Pedro Mora thinks that everyone should be involved. EVERYONE. Everyone should have a voice in the city whether or not they belong to a neighbourhood association. People should be involed in all the decision making that pertains to the city. Citizens should be able to fire representatives if they stop truly representing the people.
And finally, Rimas Tumasonis believes that the best way to be involved in the community is to just... Be involved. Pick up litter when you see it, help a neighbour when he's in trouble. Rimas wanted to become a citizen so he could vote and get involved.

So... This is actually more of a summary of what went on. As I mentioned, everyone had a lot to say about pretty much everything. For more information on the candidates, we urge people to go to all candidates meetings to hear them discuss important issues. And ask questions!
As a final note, I ended up writing 'amalgamation', 'homelessness', and 'infrastructure' many times. If I've written anything wrong please let us know. We're not trying to be biased for or against anyone. Any mistakes are simply mistakes and we'll be happy to correct them.

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Interviews with Hugh Kruzel

Hugh Kruzel is the final candidate interview for Victoria Votes. Stay tuned for some posts about the issue leading up to the election! If there's something you think we should talk about in the next week, let us know in the comments.

Victoria Votes: What can we accomplish over the next year?

Realistically, I am not certain anyone would be able to advance a personal platform in one year. Beyond the Big Blue question there are many impediments to being an advocate for change. Still, I would try to push for a downtown farmers market and more covered and secure cycling parking. Third on my list is conversion of Government Street to a pedestrian only zone.

V V: What is one thing that everyone should know about you?

Serving on the Downtown Residents' Association, committees, and advisory boards has brought me in contact with fellow citizens, developers, heritage, and planners; all told this means I have good understanding of the direction we can take Victoria. I walk and bike everywhere and practice Yoga at the YMCA and along Fort... in my neighbourhood.

V V: Is there any issue you want to talk about, and what are your thoughts about it?

I live in Victoria. Ask all candiates what municiaplity they pay taxes to on their residence. If you live in Saanich I guarantee you will not have Victoria first on your mind. Our kids went to Central Middle and go to Vic High. We shop, walk, and play in Victoria. Victoria is our home.

Read the full text of Hugh Kruzel's interview with Monday Magasine here


A final thanks to B Channel News for letting us use their awesome in-depth candidate interviews. B Channel is doing some amazing election coverage right now, so Victoria Votes encourages everyone to go and check out bchannelnews.tv for additional information about not only this election but civic politics in general.

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Interviews with Barry Hobbis

Victoria Votes sat down with Barry Hobbis on Monday. Hobbis is a former police officer, consultant, and now owner of the Esquimalt Harbour Ferry. He also ran in 2008 for Victoria City Council.

Victoria Votes: This term is shorter than usual, what can we accomplish in a year?

Barry Hobbis: First of all, this is an opportunity to get that learning under your belt. If I get in there for a year, I have a chance to build my understanding of City Hall. Secondly, I want to take the time to encourage others to run in 2011. We need a big change at City Hall, we need to look at getting fresh minds. Frankly I don't think anyone should be running after 3 terms, and we're seeing a lot of that on Council right now.

V V: What's one thing everyone should know about you?

B H: My life experience sets me apart [from other candidates]. I look at everything I've done as connected and apply it to what I'm doing now. I think I can understand public engagement because I've been doing it for years. You don't go from being a police officer into legal publishing to First Nations consulting to running a little ferry company without learning a few things.

I think I'm qualified based on the breadth and depth of my experience. I've done a lot of community work, and that's really what makes me tick, but I'm not a career politician. I just want to get some fresh people in there and get out of their way.

V V: Talk about an issue.

B H: I don't see a lot of people talking about fiscal responsibility. They talk about a lot of important things, but not about how to keep your financial house in order. We talk about tax increases as 3% this year, 4% next year, 2% the year after that, but pretty soon we're looking at a 20% tax increase over the next five years. Take policing as an example. Everybody's policing problems fall into the downtown core and we have to deal with it, but we seem to just accept our rising taxes anyway. We can't stay in that direction – if you spend more than you earn, you go broke. Simple as that.

V V: So what's your solution?

B H: First you go into City Hall and talk to the people who are in charge of spending the money and ask them – what can we do to spend less? Then I think you engage people, you go out into the community and ask them how we can stop spending more than we're earning. You never know where you're going to find the next cost-reducing idea, and that's why we need to go ask.

Then we need to get out of the framework that says taxes are where we increase our revenues. You've got to step outside the box, ask the community what kind of revenues we can find that won't increase taxes. City Hall needs to remember that they're playing with someone else's money, not theirs.

Read the full text of Barry Hobbis' interview with Monday Magazine here

Endless thanks to B Channel News for letting us use their fantastic in depth interviews.

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Interviews with Steve Filipovic

There is an all candidates meeting hosted by the Fairfield-Gonzales Community Association which will be a good opportunity to meet candidates face to face and grill them a little. They're not doing a formal Q&A thing, so they candidates will just be milling around talking to people, giving you the opportunity to get some of your burning questions answered in person. Details:

Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
Fairfield Community Centre 1330 Fairfield Rd.
Hosted by the Fairfield-Gonzales Community Association
More info at fairfieldcommunity.ca

Moving on, we managed to get a hold of Steve Filipovc via email for some questions. Filipovic is running for the green party in this election, and ran for mayor as an independent in the previous election.

V V: What can we accomplish over the next year?

I will save the city $90 Million by fixing up Johnson Street Bridge for just $8.6 M as November's Focus Magazine has revealed. I will direct the city to investment in affordable housing, promote co-operatives and rent to own opportunities. I will press for viable solutions for our street community, which means camps with facilities for washing and cooking.
 

V V: What is one thing that everyone should know about you?
 

That I would make an excellent city councilor. In that position I will work very hard to solve the problems that face our city. I need your help, I am up against two huge opponents. They are not daunting because they know and speak well on the issues, they don't. They are daunting because they are backed by big money. Victoria’s annual budget has grown from $105 Million in 2001 to almost $200 M for 2010.The two Establishment Powers in Victoria who back every councilor presently sitting spend $60 thousand every election to gain influence on how to spend $600 Million over the next 3 years. Pretty Good Deal Hey?  Is it working for you? Let's make some changes and stand up to big money.

V V: Is there any issue you want to talk about, and what are your thoughts about it?
 

Voter apathy is a big one in Victoria, with only 1 in 4 voting, which is a real shame.
I wonder how different the city would be if every renter voted,  64% of people rent in Victoria.
They could be running the city, instead the city owns them.

Read the full text of Steve Filipovic's interview with Monday Magazine here

Endless thanks to B Channel News for letting us use their fantastic in depth interviews.

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Oh Boy! New Events!

The City has just announced two events, both to be held at City Hall over the next couple of weeks. For those of you who attended (or will be attending) any of the "Vote No" forums, this is a chance to hear the other side of the debate and ask some questions. Enjoy!

Johnson Street Bridge Open House

November 13, 2010 at 10:00am

Learn Why Replacing the Bridge is the Sustainable Option

Wednesday, November 17 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm

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Interview with George Sirk

We're nearing the end of our stack of candidate interviews, so stay tuned for as many issue-based interviews as we can cram in before the election.

If you haven't taken the time to go over which candidate you're going to vote for, bear in mind that there are only TWO WEEKS left before the election! B Channel News is a great place to go for short video interviews with all of the candidates except Susan Woods, who was unavailable at the time of those interviews.

V V: This term is shorter than usual, what can we accomplish over the next year?

G S: I was elected for three terms (9 years) to the Comox-Strathcona Regional District representing Cortes Island. This means that I am familiar with the Local Government Act, which governs municipalities. I don't need any 'ramping up' time to know what to do in council. I want to see council adopt a "Not everyone is a driver, but everyone uses a crosswalk" policy. We need to vastly improve our walking and cycling infrastructure to make it safer and well defined. We must have a new skateboard park, a low maintenance, safe place for our youth.

V V: What is one thing that everyone should know about you?

G S: I have a strong sense of community. My nine years of elected office taught me the importance of being always available for my constituents. Sometimes the timing was awkward for me, but I knew that the issue being raised meant a great deal to the those concerned. I will bring my genuine interest in helping people to council. I'm a naturalist by trade and passion and I will bring that naturalist's perspective to council as well.

V V: Is there any issue you want to talk about, and what are your thoughts about it?

G S: Control spending, for example, I support ARESST, where the focus is on solving the cross-contamination of our storm drains and sewage, and chemical point-source contamination, not on expensive sewage treatment plants. Our #1 industry is tourism thus we should refocus on the heritage values of Victoria. Small business will benefit from an increase of tourism. Our entrepreneurial spirit will flourish.

Read the full text of George Sirk's interview with Monday Magazine here

Thanks again to B Channel News for allowing us to use their in-depth candidate interviews here at Victoria Votes.

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Johnson St. Bridge Public Meeting

For those of you that attended the public meeting held by johnsonstreetbridge.org last week, this isn't news. For everyone else, let's all thank B Channel for covering this event so throughly. Here's the article by B Channel, and you can go here for videos of the Q&A portion of the event.

All-candidates Meeting Looks at Bridge Debate

Reporting by Lisa Nickol
Video by Andrew Ainsley
Frontpage Photo by Pete Rockwell

 

November 3, 2010

All eleven candidates in the City of Victoria by-election attended a public meeting on October 27th to speak about the bridge referendum. In addition to voting for one city councillor on November 20th, eligible voters will be given a referendum ballot that asks the question of borrowing $49.2 million towards the $77 million bridge replacement project. 

The referendum was initiated by a public petition campaign and was launched by a non-partisan group of residents.  The City of Victoria, has chosen replacement on the advice of private consultants, has launched a tax-payer funded campaign for a “Yes” vote in the referendum.

There has been only one voice of dissent on council. Geoff Young has voted against the City’s direction to replace the bridge with a new one, and has raised questions to the transparency of the process.

The first all candidates meeting, organized by johnsonstreetbridge.org, gave the public had the opportunity to hear each candidate’s position on the referendum and the issue of the bridge, and to ask them questions. 

Marianne Alto was the only candidate to state that she would vote in favour of borrowing the 49.2 million. Eight candidates would vote no and shared similar views that not only should the city not borrow the money, but that council should be looking at different ways of dealing with the aging infrastructure without incurring a seismic debt. Two of the candidates did not share which way they are voting, but did raise issues with the process and project.

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Interviews with Rose Henry

Victoria Votes sent our questions to Rose Henry, a long-time local poverty activist who also ran in the 2008 election. Here are her answers, as well as the usual Monday and B Channel interviews.

V V: What can we accomplish over the next year?

I understand that it is a long tedious process to get bills and by-laws passed and City council already has a full agenda, but what I would like to accomplish is addressing the housing situation and the Johnson St bridge project.

V V: What is one thing that everyone should know about you?

That I am a very committed person who sees the good in everyone and that I do understand a lot of key community issues like taxes, cost of living, recycling, housing, health and what is like to be be thinking and looking at our world and our community from the outside in (cultural from a First Nations perspective in a European setting) and how non-status can adapt to First Nations World of understanding our relationship to the land and all of our communities.

V V: Talk about an issue.

It has bothered me with seeing the amount of dwindling voter turnout at all elections. I have pushed for some more diversity of city council representation of youth, poor, and First Nations inclusiveness. I like the idea that our society is free to vote or not to vote; but now I am thinking that the the Australian community Electoral process is something that we should consider adopting. Mandatory voting to improve the quality of all of our community and to achieve real diversity and equal representation.

Read the full text of Rose Henry's interview with Monday Magazine here

Thanks yet again to B Channel News for allowing us to use their awesome video interviews.

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Interviews with Susan Woods

Victoria Votes sent some questions to the remaining candidates on our interview list via email so as to get as much information as quickly as possible leading up to the election. It would have been great to do in person interviews with everyone, but alas the universe conspired against that. Enjoy our answers from Susan Woods, as usual the Monday Magazine link is posted at the bottom, but unfortunately Ms. Woods was unavailable for the B Channel News interview series, so there will be no video post at the end. 

Victoria Votes: What can we accomplish over the next year? 

Susan Woods: Our property taxes have doubled in ten years and we see huge payouts and salaries at City Hall. I will pursue a 'value-for-money audit' to ensure the level of services residents and business owners receive is good value for dollars spent.  Also, taxpayers said no to sewage treatment in the 90s - so I will lobby to put a stop to this unneeded and unwanted billion dollar project.

V V: What is one thing that everyone should know about you? 

S W: I'm not associated with any political party, and I'll bring the same skills that I learned in journalism to politics. Investigation, listening to people, asking tough questions, and seeking the truth. 
 

V V: Talk about an issue.

S W: I'd like to see a further review of all options regarding the Blue Bridge and explore how refurbishment could be achieved while ensuring access across the bridge at all times. I'm concerned that no funding is coming from any other municipalities and the design excludes rail which is imperative as a future link for commuter rail to downtown transit.

  
I also think we need mandatory term limits for Council members to keep the political process fresh and responsive.When council service becomes a "career" we end up with bureaucrats, not community representatives. I think 3 terms (9 yrs) is a sufficient period to takes one's ideas and goals forward, and then be expected to step aside to make room for new voices and new energy. 

Read the full text of Susan Woods' interview with Monday Magazine here

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Interviews with Pedro Mora

Hello Victoria! With 20 days left before the election, Victoria Votes has started interviewing community leaders as well as candidates to discover some of the issues that may deserve your attention over the next few weeks. More on that soon.

For now, here's our email interview with Pedro Mora, along with the usual Monday Mag and B Channel News stuff.

Victoria Votes asked: This term is shorter than usual, what can we accomplish over the next year?

Pedro Mora said: One year as councilor would give me a lot of influence and connections with the municipal resources to develop a secure, transparent, and accessible computerized "Initiative, Referendum, and recall system".

One year of officially promoting perpetual direct democracy, and developing the structural mechanism of the system, would attract a lot of interest from the citizens of Victoria to shift from representative democracy to direct democracy.

One year of citizens testing their new found political power would be only the beginning of a democratic revolution. Citizens will be dumbfounded to realize how we had functioned, for so long, without direct democracy.

VV: What is one thing everyone should know about you?

People who are looking for a leader, should know that I am not a leader, I am just an average citizen, I am as smart as everybody else, I am as informed as most people.

I am running for office because I want to work towards the development of democracy, not because of my ego.

Only responsible citizens who want to start an innovative,extraordinary system and exercise self governance, starting on November 20, will vote for Pedro Mora. 

VV: Talk about an issue.

Victorians have a unique choice on Nov. 20. If the majority want to continue with the traditional Representative Democracy, they have ten leaders to chose from; but if Victorians are ready for a revolutionary change from representative democracy to direct democracy, they will vote for their right to govern themselves by initiative, referendum and recall. They will elect Pedro Mora. 

Read Pedro Mora's interview with Monday Magazine here

And check this out! Thanks again to B Channel News for the fantastic in depth interviews.  

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B Channel Interviews

Tired of waiting for us to finish our candidate interviews? B Channel News has been kind enough to provide something interesting to tide you over!

Satiate your hunger for interviews by checking out these awesome videos, where B Channel talks to candidates about their thoughts on poverty.

Victoria Votes will be interviewing Barry Hobbis and Pedro Mora tomorrow, so stay tuned!

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Interviews with Paul Brown

We sent our questions to Paul Brown via email, and here are the answers! Also, as usual, the B Channel News and Monday Magazine interviews are at the end.

1. This term is shorter than usual, what can we accomplish over the next year?

To be realistic, greater Accountability for Results, Due Diligence and Transparency on all files and issues.

However one feels about refurbishing or replacing the Blue Bridge, it has been a fiasco and cost us, the taxpayers, dearly. It came out of left field with no warning, there was a lack of due diligence demonstrated exploring all of the viable options and their costs, and as far as transparency, the only thing that was truly transparent was council’s determination pursue their preferred option. If it had been done properly, we would in all likelihood be already on our way to refurbishing or replacing the Blue Bridge and not wasting time and money on a referendum.

Our City’s infrastructure is aging and much of it will soon need to be refurbished or replaced. We cannot afford another Blue Bridge fiasco. 

2. What is one thing that everyone should know about you?

For the past 22 years, I have been a partner in a knowledge based company providing advice, counsel and training on accountability, due diligence, governance and transparency to public servants in provincial, territorial and state governments across the Pacific Northwest.

I want to believe members of council have the best of intentions though are struggling with these principles. I will work with council to integrate these principles into all files, issues and decision making processes.

3. Is there any issue you want to talk about, and what are your thoughts about it?

I do feel strongly there is one particular issue that needs to be at the forefront yet is receiving scant attention and is costing us financially – Regionalization.

I recognize the issue has been kicked around for years, the provincial government is not prepared to step in without an invitation from the municipalities and our neighbouring municipalities for the most part are less than enthusiastic.

Regardless, the fact is the City of Victoria has been and continues to struggle to fund many of the Capital Region’s issues such as policing, homelessness, poverty and transportation with a municipal budget. The most recent example is the comment by the Mayor of Esquimalt that they are unwilling to fund the two police officers to be stationed at the new Rock Bay shelter because it is a regional issue – not an Esquimalt issue.

Particularly frustrating is when I see other candidates saying Victoria needs to take the lead championing the regional transportation issue. This is not an issue that is high on the list for most citizens of Victoria. Few of us experience the daily frustration of the Colwood crawl or the congestion on the Pat Bay Highway. Yes, we should be at the table, however only if our neighbouring municipalities are prepared to come to the table on our regional issues such as policing, poverty and homelessness – and perhaps even the Blue Bridge fits into this category.

I also take note that another candidate states one of their priorities will be to develop better working relationships with neighbouring municipalities. I question this. Yes we need to be at the table and collaborative, however we need to insist they no longer take us for granted.

In summary, our City is facing challenging economic times ahead. We need to show financial prudence and stand up for ourselves on regional issues.

Read Paul Brown's interview with Monday Magazine here

Victoria Votes never gets tired of thanking B Channel News for allowing us to use their videos:

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Interviews with Marianne Alto

Hoo boy, few days since our last post! Rest assured, we will try to do a post every day or two from now on to give you as much information as possible before the election in 3 weeks!

Yesterday, Victoria Votes met with Marianne Alto for an interview. Marianne ran previously in 2005, and was also on the Sooke Town Council several years back. She currently works as a facilitator for businesses as non-profits.

Victoria Votes: This term is shorter than usual – what can we do in the next year?

Marianne Alto: We need to be practical. Assuming that you only have a year, you have to be really precise, you have to understand what can be done at a civic level, and I think that there are two things we can reasonably accomplish over the next year. The first is to organize the relationship between the electorate and civic government. We have more than enough resources available to us to create opportunities for affordable and easy feedback between the electorate and the city, and to accomplish this sets us up to be more effective in 2011. Secondly, I think we can make a significant dent in coordinating people in need, various levels of government, and service providers to accomplish a measurable increase in the number of affordable and transition housing units. I also think we need to look at not just providing housing, but also helping people transition into that housing and build community there.

V V: What's something everyone should know about you?

M A: I have a unique and proven ability to bring extremely opposite people together. You can't put me in a room with any group of people who I can't work with to find a common goal. I think that's a unique skill, and probably something that's needed right now in City Hall.

V V: Anything you want to get out there about an issue?

M A: There are lots of specific issues – Transportation, housing, poverty, the quality of the economy, and so on, but overarching all of that is the need to redefine the relationship between local government and the electorate. Local governments have the most impact on your day to day life, so they MUST have a way to easily include the people they serve in conversations about that service.

With my work as a facilitator, I can't provide a service to my client without constantly connecting with them and checking in to make sure I'm heading in the right direction. Having said that, my client hires me because I'm good at something and they want me to give them the best advice possible. I can't give a client everything, but you work with your client to figure out what you want, your resources, and what you can do.

It all goes back to dialogue, building that relationship, but also being brutally practical about the reality of the situation. You never set your client up to fail, and in this case the city is my client. In the end, we [City Council] are public servants, and overarching all of the specific issues is this relationship. 

Read Marianne Alto's intervie with Monday Magazine here

Thanks yet again to B Channel News  for allowing us to use their fantastic video interviews. You guys continue to rock.

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Interviews with Saul Andersen

Victoria Votes did an interview with Saul Andersen, our second candidate interview to date. Andersen is a local cab driver and volunteer, and has been running for office for the past few years, because as he puts it "Apart from being the world's greatest cab driver, I don't know what else to do!".

The questions in bold are what we will be asking every candidate.

VV: This is a shorter term than usual, what do we need to do this year?

SA: Victoria needs to step up and say “Hey, we're a metropolis too!” The first thing I would do is open a fixed site needle exchange, because it's not just for a few people, it's a public health issue. We also need to make this a provincial issue.

VV: Why is a needle exchange a provincial issue?

SA: Because it's a health care issue, and it's not just Vancouver that needs an Insite, what about Victoria, what about Nanaimo or Kelowna? I'd love to go to other Councils in the province and hear their thoughts on this and get together to demand that the Province step up and do their job. Call it a health care centre if you want, maybe the idea of a needle exchange just puts people off, but it is a public health issue no matter what.

We need to bring food security back into out lives. We need to intensify our food production and get people engaged with that. Farming seems to be forgotten in the urban environment, there's a lack of connection with nature and I think we can restore that starting in schools and through City programs. To start with, we have a lot of marketing resources that could be directed toward community initiatives like this.

VV: Anything else for this year?

We need to preserve the local character of Victoria. I didn't understand hegemony until I moved here and saw the Payless turn into Shell, the Starbucks keep popping up on every corner, the Blockbusters and the Wal-Marts. Victoria's character is what makes it worth being here. I don't want to live in a Starbucks culture, and I didn't get that until I started living here.

VV: What's something everyone needs to know about you?

This is me doing my civic duty. I'm not a politician, I'm a citizen, and I think that I can maintain my integrity when I'm in office. I know there are limitations, but if you can't do it from the top down, start with the grassroots. I call bullshit on anybody who thinks they're greener than me. True green economies are not capitalist, acquisition-driven economies. The green party just strikes me as conservatives who feel bad. I'm not hearing anyone else who's advancing a really anti-corporate agenda, and that's what sets me apart from other candidates.

VV: Then why did you get into politics?

SA: When I left University to come here, I was a total nihilist. I figured this would be a great place to put my feet up and watch the world collapse, but things just seemed to keep going, Starbucks kept popping up on every corner and everyone still wants a new iPod, and when I had a kid I figured I'd better start caring, so that's what I'm doing.

VV: Anything you need to get out there?

SA: That we can leave this a better place than we found it. I believe Victoria is the last safe place from which to change the world. We are the best equipped to take advantage of new technologies and new ways of doing things, and we can embrace that.

Read the full text of Saul Andersen's interview with Monday Magazine here.

Thanks to B Channel News for allowing Victoria Votes to post their video interviews, you guys rock.

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What's on this site?

First of all, we just created an events page. Leading up to the election, there are going to be seemingly countless public discussions, all candidates meetings, and forums - we're going to try to keep track of these and post them on the events page as they pop up, so keep checking in.

All candidates meetings are an awesome way to meet the people who want to help run this city, size them up, ask some questions, and get some of your own thoughts out there into the universe. The formats range from formal panel discussions where you'll be part of an audience, listen to a question-and-answer session, and mill around chatting afterward, to the much more interesting "toss everyone into a big room and see what happens" format, where you get to wander around and chat with candidates in a more informal context.

Because this election also comes with a referendum, there will be a few meetings centred around the borrowing bylaw and the Johnson Street Bridge. These are sure to be interesting, and will give you a chance to learn about this issue if you're not really up to date on what's going on.

There's also now a handy links page, which has candidate websites, sites related to the referendum, and anything else relevant that we come across.

The How to Vote section sort of speaks for itself.

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Bridging the Gap, Part 1

This is part one of two, and interview with Ross Crockford of johnsonstreetbridge.org on the subject of the Johnson Street Bridge in the context of the city's recently announced infrastructure deficit (the cost to repair and upgrade all of the infrastructure throughout the city). Early next week we'll be posting an interview with the City of Victoria's spokesperson on the same topic.

Explain the Johnson street bridge in the context of the city's existing infrastructure deficit.

The city has an infrastructure deficit of $462 million. The bridge is a crucial piece of infrastructure, I don't argue with that, but if all of the city's manageable debt is consumed by the bridge, then there's nothing left to deal with all of this other stuff.

The maximum borrowing amount that the city can undertake right now without raising taxes is $51.4 million. The referendum is asking for $41.2 million, which means tackling sanitary sewers, seismic upgrades to city buildings, storm drains, street lights, and roads will inevitably require tax increases with all of our debt going into the bridge. I'm not opposed to tax increases, what I am opposed to is the city pushing ahead with the bridge project without having really examined the minimal cost options to make it work.

What sort of minimal cost options are you referring to?

There are lots of options. There may be developers interested in being involved in the project, to build on or around it, have there been any discussions with those people? The repair option was based on the idea that the bridge has to last for 100 yrs, how much would it cost to repair it for 30 yrs? I also understand that the city hasn't contacted other governments to explore rehab of similar bridges in other cities or find out how and why rehab has been done elsewhere.

There's also a question about seismic safety: engineers have been very careful to say this bridge was not designed to any seismic standard, but that doesn't mean that it will automatically fall down in any earthquake. Victoria experienced the biggest recorded earthquake in Canada in 1946, the epicentre of which was in Courtney, and the bridge was fine. Is upgrading the bridge to a maximum seismic standard really the best value for our money?

What about the argument that the bridge would be needed for emergency access?

I would have to ask if the city has explored working with ambulance services based out of Esquimalt or Saanich? There are also a number of other bridges crossing over into Vic West, even the Selkirk Trestle could be used in an emergency. To me, the Bay St. bridge is a far better candidate for seismic upgrade - it carries the water main, electrical cables, telephone cables, and gas lines. There is another water main, but the high pressure water main, which is necessary for firefighting in tall buildings, crosses Bay St. What happens when we spend all of our money on the Johnson Street Bridge, and we get a 7.5 earthquake? Bay St. is built to 6.5 seismic standard, so you've got Johnson St. carrying traffic but you have no water, a massive gas leak, and your phone and electricity systems are heavily damaged.

The big point is the city is not considering this bridge in context. We are spending all of this money to create a one of a kind architecturally intricate tourist attraction to extend the harbour pathway. We are spending money on this rather than other, perhaps more pressing concerns.

The bridge is still an important part of transportation in this city, shouldn't it be taken into account when thinking about infrastructure?

Sure, the bridge is infrastructure. It's important infrastructure. But I don't get the impression that the city has done any real cost-benefit analysis. There's all this other stuff that's been identified that's also going to be a big issue in the very near future, and the attitude seems to be “don't worry about that now, we just want a yes vote so we can do the bridge, and someone else can deal with all that other stuff”.

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Interviews with Rimas Tumasonis

Rimas Tumasonis is the first of our candidate interviews, which will be posted as they happen. Stay tuned for our interview with Saul Andersen.

This interview is going to be a little different from the others you'll see posted here, because as he puts it, Rimas Tumasonis is “not one of the usual suspects”. No sound bites, no short statements from this council candidate - “I can't tell you all about myself in 40 words or less”, says Tumasonis, explaining his preference for real face to face conversation rather than packaged answers. “Take what you think is important [from this interview], that's how the brain works.” So that's what I've done.

Rimas Tumasonis seems like he stepped out of an article by Hunter Thompson. The conversation jumped around, a huge variety of topics were covered, and nearly half of the interview was jokes or quotes from various authors and movies. All told, a fun and interesting start to this run of candidate interviews.

What sets Rimas Tumasonis apart from the other candidates in this by-election? “Look at the usual suspects, and ask yourself – are they going to do anything they've said after the election? Of course not! They're getting their cues from polls, they can't make a move without someone else to tell them what to do.”

On the subject of why we should vote for him, Tumasonis had this to offer: “I'm not a politician, I didn't spend years on student council or anything like that. I'm doing this with my own money, my campaign office is in my briefcase, my campaign manager is a sock monkey.” but that's the point, according to Tumasonis “I don't think I'm better than you, and that's why you should vote for me.”

Tumasonis isn't using the internet for his campaign either, stating his intent to run a word of mouth campaign and welcoming people to spend some time talking to him in person.

Tumasonis summed things up: “I am that weird, and that is why you want me on City Council.”

Thanks to B Channel News for allowing Victoria Votes to post their video interviews, which will accompany all of our candidate interviews in these posts, like so:

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