Finally Updating That Video Page

That's right! But here's a sneak preview:

B Channel mayoral interviews are here.

B Channel has more mayoral candidate interviews - this time on fiscal policy, infrastructure, and poverty. We can't stress enough how awesome B Channel news is, especially on local elections. Despite being a volunteer indie news site they have by far the most comprehensive overview of candidates in Victoria, and being on video just makes it so much easier to browse through.

B Channel's council backgrounders are equally fantastic. More council candidate interviews will be posted before the election.

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Events Update

Hot off the e-press. 

Nov. 8 - Victoria West Community Centre(521 Craigflower Rd)  6:30 to 9 pm

Nov. 14 - Burnside Community Centre (313 Jutland Rd)  7 to 9 pm

Nov. 15 Oakdlands Community Centre (#1-2827 Belmont Ave.)  7-9 pm

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Oh Look, News

First of all, Focus magazine has two articles about the election - one from Gene Miller about the election as a whole, and one from Aaren Madden endorsing Geoff Young.

The Time Colonist finally has an election page up here.

Finally, B Channel News is amazing. They have posted the first of many, many video interviews to come over the next few weeks. The first run is an introduction to mayoral candidates, but will be followed by a series of interviews with each council candidate as well as a second round of follow-up mayoral interviews.

These interviews are probably the best way to get to know this year's candidates. B Channel asks all the right questions, and video allows you to get a sense of each candidate's personality.

So here goes:

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So this mayoral debate happened a few days ago in James Bay. If you didn't make it, here's some video!

Steve Filipovic Intro:

Steve Filipovic (Intro) All Candidates Debate-Oct 28, James Bay from Orcacedarbough on Vimeo.

Dean Fortin Intro:

Dean Fortin (Intro) All Candidates Debate-October 28, James Bay from Martlet on Vimeo.

Paul Brown Intro:


Filipovic Closing Comments:

Steve Filipovic All Candidates Debates-Oct 28, James Bay from Martlet on Vimeo.

Fortin Closing Comments:

Dean Fortin All Candidates Debates-Oct 28, James Bay from Martlet on Vimeo.

Brown Closing Comments:

Paul Brown All Candidates Debates-Oct 28, James Bay from Martlet on Vimeo.

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Dean Fortin Answers Our Questions

Dean Fortin is running for re-election as Mayor of Victoria. Fortin won against Rob Reid in the 2008 election, and served on Council for two terms (6 years) prior to becoming Mayor. He is running alongside the Dean Team, an unofficial slate consisting of (far as we can tell) Pam Madoff, Lynn Hunter, John Luton, and Marianne Alto. Prior to 2008 Fortin also served as Executive Director of the Burnside Gorge Communtiy Centre. His website is here and here are his answers to our questions:

Q: Why are you running and why should I vote for you?

A: My name is Dean Fortin, and I am running for re-election as Mayor of Victoria. In the last three years we have accomplished so much, and I want to continue to build on that momentum and continue to support a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable city.

From housing and homelessness, alternative transportation and economic development – for the last three years, along with my team of councillors, I have been diligently working on the priorities set by our residents. And we have made great strides in many keys areas, proving our ability to work with residents, identify challenges, and make decisions on important projects. I am prepared to tackle the tough challenges ahead in a way that balances the financial and social needs of residents.

I have learned so much and we’ve made significant progress over the last three years. I want to continue to put that knowledge and commitment to work for the people of this community. I have been honoured to serve as Mayor – it is a privilege I am hoping to be granted again.

Q: What issue is most important to you and why?

A: There are many competing interests and needs in our community. Whether it is the need for more supportive and affordable housing, public transportation, more parks, or ageing infrastructure – there is no shortage of projects and programs that will enhance our city for benefit of everyone. But how we pay for these important projects is a big question. That is why I believe economic development is a key issue right now.

We have developed a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, with the help of community leaders from all sectors of our economy, which maps out how to grow investment in our community. It is a strategy that focuses on growing our tax base – bringing household sustaining jobs to our community, increased residential and commercial growth in the core, and innovation that secures Victoria place as a leader in sustainable growth. This is how we will pay for important projects including sewage treatment, LRT, and affordable housing.

Growing our economy in a smart and sustainable way will ensure we can continue to invest in our community and the programs and services that make Victoria a great place to call home – for everyone.

Q: What's something people don't know about you?

A: I have coached basketball for many years. Currently I have the great pleasure of coaching my daughter’s team, the U-11 girls’ basketball night league. I love working with youth, and believe sports is a fantastic venue to get kids active and working together.

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TC Candidate Info

Just found these on the Times Colonist website, which is impossible to navigate so you can thank us later. Not sure where these came from or whether there are more to come, but you'll know as soo as we do... source

Lisa Helps

Linda McGrew

Paul Brown

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VLC Endorsements

The Victoria Labour Council has released its endorsements for candidates throughout the CRD here, and here are the names for Victoria:


Mayor
Dean Fortin
Council
Marianne Alto
Lisa Helps
Lynn Hunter
Ben Isitt
Philippe Lucas
John Luton
Pam Madoff

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An Abridged Press Release From Paul Brown

Paul Brown slams mayor and council for “fiddling while Victoria burns”

New report recommends closure or $58-million replacement of Crystal Pool, plus $6.5-million upgrade or $16.5-million replacement of Fire Hall #1

Victoria, BC: Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Paul Brown, Victoria mayoral candidate, says a new report – calling for decommissioning Crystal Pool or building a $58-million replacement, plus at least $6.5 million in seismic upgrades to Fire Hall #1 – shows just how badly the current mayor and council have mismanaged the City's finances.

“Mayor Fortin and the current council have been fiddling while Victoria burns,” says Brown. “Aside from the Johnson Street Bridge, they haven’t dealt with our city’s crumbling infrastructure. Instead, they’ve been worrying about garden suites and downtown urinals.”

The new report identifies Fire Hall #1 and Crystal Pool as both being in “poor condition” and requiring “immediate attention.” Fire Hall #1, built in 1958, does not meet current “post-disaster” seismic standards. Options range from seismic upgrades costing $6.5 million to replacement of the building for $16.5 million.

Crystal Pool, built in 1971, operates at a loss of $1.2 million per year, and is identified by consultants as being “at the end of its effective life.” According to the report, options range from decomissioning the facility to replacing it for $58 million.

The report is posted on Open Victoria’s website, at http://openvictoria.ca/?p=348

Open Victoria’s candidates for council are commercial realtor Aaron Hall, environmentalist and businesswoman Linda McGrew, and respected pharmacist Sukhi Lalli.

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Always A Few Surprises

Candidates just decalred for Council. the list follows, and in the next day or two we'll add an annotated list with a brief bio on each candidate to the summary page, but for now you'll just have to be happy with this!

Mayoral Candidates:
Paul Brown (Open Victoria)
Steve Filipovic
Dean Fortin
David Shebib

Council Candidates:
Marianne Alto
Saul Andersen
Christopher M. Coleman
Shellie Gudgeon
Aaron Hall (Open Victoria)
Lisa Helps
Rose Henry
Lynn Hunter
Ben Isitt
Robin Kimpton
Sukhi Lalli (Open Victoria)
Philippe Lucas
John Luton
Pam Madoff
Linda McGrew (Open Victoria)
Sean Murray
Charlayne Thornton-Joe
John C. Turner
Jon Valentine
Geoff Young

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Paul Brown Anwers Our Questions

Paul Brown Is running for Mayor of Victoria this year. He ran during the by-election and placed 5th with 7% of the total votes.

Brown is a consultant to various levels of government in the Pacific Northwest, and in talking to him it seems like his main concern is with the financial situation of City Hall. Brown's campaign has sent out a number of press releases on the subject of the City's ailing finances, and he appears to have spent quite a bit of time looking into the subject.

You can visit Paul's website here

And here are his answers to our questions three:

Q: Why are you running and why should I vote for you?

We need to ensure our City realizes its greatest potential. This means retaining our sense of community, culture and heritage while embracing opportunities for the future.

I am running because taxes and expenses at City Hall are both rising much faster than the rate of inflation and this poses a serious threat to the social and economic health of our City.

I believe in genuine citizen engagement. I believe in public access to all essential information. I believe in open debate and transparent policy development. Most importantly, I believe in setting honest, realistic financial goals and living within your means.

My experience consists of 23 years providing advice and consultation on financial, governance and risk management to governments throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Q: What issues are the most important to you and why?

We need to preserve the ongoing delivery of essential city services by reforming and strengthening its tax base.

Our City’s financial challenge is the most pressing issue. For the past two years, city services and department budgets have been cut while taxes increased well in excess of the rate of inflation. Our City’s infrastructure is showing the strain of age and neglect. Grants to community organizations are shrinking. Residents are concerned that megaprojects, such as the sewage treatment plant, the proposed LRT will overwhelm our City’s resources.

We need to:

• make better use of our City’s limited tax resources and become more prudent in our financial affairs.
• work closely with our neighbouring communities to establish a broader range of shared municipal services
• work more closely and collaboratively with senior levels of government to ensure their financial support
• accurately and fairly consider everyone’s perspective
• be open and honest with the public when we develop City policies, budgets and tax rates.

Q: What’s something people don’t know about you?

I spent my summers during the 1980’s and 1990’s exploring the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the Sunshine Coast and San Juan Islands. The experience demonstrated to me the importance of stepping back to gain perspective and how delicate our environment is. Today, my wife and I treasure our walks throughout our City and do our best to respect the environment we call home.

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Paul Brown Announces Run for Mayor

On Wednesday the 4th, Paul Brown announced to the media and the public that he intends to run for Mayor in the upcoming (November) Municipal Election.

His website is paulbrown-victoria.org, and Victoria Votes will be be posting moreinformaiton as it arises.

A bit of background, Paul Brown ran for Council in the by-election, and placed sixth with 1065 votes, or 6.92% of total votes cast. For comparison, Marianne Alto, who won the vacant Council seat, had 29.43% of the vote.

If you click on the Candidates tag to the right of this post, you'll find info from the last election about Brown, including interviews with Victoria Votes and B Channel News.

Time to get into election mode, I guess.

VV

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