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2018 City of Victoria election


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#321 Stephen Andrew

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 11:02 AM

Well, figured I should weigh in on this rather than be an observer.

First, and I know this sounds like a political answer that I would have been all over if anyone who said this to me on my old show, at this time I have no intention of running for mayor in 2018 as of this moment. You heard it here first!

As for Council, today I can say I have no idea. It's a fluid situation. Some days I see stuff coming from the council chamber that truly worries me and I have this urge to weigh in and say my bit. Other days I shake my head in sadness and wonder if there's any hope for reason. Depending on the day I have different thoughts of what the future may bring for me and if I could add a significant contribution.

I learned a lot from the 2014 campaign...

It's not easy to run (I've never done anything that's easy), it's costly, and it takes an emotional toll. As a journalist I did not fully comprehend how tough it can be on the candidate and their family. It's a decision that the individual cannot make alone.

I knocked on hundreds of doors and it was the most exciting and interesting part of the campaign. The conversations at the door were enlightening and provided more insight to the needs and concerns in our city than I discovered on air. Partly that was a time factor and partly because nothing is a substitute for in person dialogue. That experience would certainly assist any potential run.

But, there's also the political climate.

Dan Miller told me during the campaign I have no chance. "It's all about party politics " he proffered as we were standing in line for coffee. I told him what I honestly believe; partisan politics has no place in municipal government. Sadly, the reality is that is not the case. To run you need party support. I do not have party affiliation.

It's strange, even puzzling, to hear people determine my politics for me. I've been called "right wing", "a green supporter" and even "a lefty". I hope I never have to make that decision and any possible future run would have include a cleaner communication in that area.

As to the current field? If the slate become unmanageable, it will favour the incumbent. Dean Fortin lost 2014 in the last week of the campaign. A smaller field secures it for the incumbent if she decides to run again.

I know Marianne Alto is interested in the Mayor's seat. Like Margaret Lucas and Charleyne Thornton-Joe, Alto doesn't live in Victoria. From what I understand she moved from one Saanich location to another. It's one thing to own property,
It's another to live in the municipality. Is there any other council in the region that has three non residents? Having said that, I'm not sure voters care.

I doubt Geoff Young will run for mayor - he's been down that road.

Ben Isitt traveled it too. He did far better than anyone could have imagined, but at the time there was no significant other left of centre candidate.

And finally, anyone who runs is at a disadvantage as they have to work or forgo income during the run. Incumbents have luxury of not having to worry about the impact on their pocketbooks.

Perhaps my thoughts don't make guessing any easier other than I will not be running for mayor.
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#322 J Billings

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 11:20 AM

I think, at this point, many people would settle for anyone who appears to take a thoughtful, logical approach to running things. Hopefully, people will be more engaged next time.


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#323 Nparker

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 11:40 AM

That said, I'm really not hard to find or figure out as to who I am.  I'm not hiding hard behind my alias as it is the one I use for the vast majority of my personal activities.  I'm on twitter (@awaitingjuno) and from there, you can figure out who I am on linked in and where ever else. 

You're already more transparent than most of our elected officials.  :)


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#324 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 11:47 AM

Welcome new posters Stephen Andrew, and J Billings!

 

Rarely does a new contributor bring that kind of an amazing first post, Stephen.  Thank you for dropping it here.


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<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#325 Awaiting Juno

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 04:32 PM

Great to have Stephen Andrew chime in!  Agree with all of his sentiments - and think that his view provides some good insights for anyone considering Mayor/Council.  I agree, it would be nice if those on council had to "live with their decisions" as residents.  It does seem as though there's a bit of a problem when that's not the case.


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#326 Nparker

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 04:43 PM

...I agree, it would be nice if those on council had to "live with their decisions" as residents.  It does seem as though there's a bit of a problem when that's not the case.

Residency or property ownership in the candidate's municipality should be a requirement to run in a civic election.


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#327 sdwright.vic

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 04:44 PM

No... just residence. I want to know that your decisions also directly affect you personally.
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Predictive text and a tiny keyboard are not my friends!

#328 sebberry

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Posted 29 November 2016 - 04:50 PM

Welcome to the forum, Stephen. Please check in from time to time and share your thoughts.

Victoria current weather by neighbourhood: Victoria school-based weather station network

Victoria webcams: Big Wave Dave Webcams

 


#329 Awaiting Juno

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 09:14 AM

For the 2018 election, what specific issues would you like to see addressed, and in what ways would you like to see them addressed?  If there were an alternate slate - what platform should they build to make Victoria a better place for those who live here?  Note: An alternate slate will face an uphill battle to unseat incumbents as such, they need to have a comprehensive and strategic plan for the city and they need to be able to communicate that plan to those who will vote in order to encourage them to get to the polls and vote for what the slate believes in. 

 

Personally - I think "party politics" isn't what is needed at the municipal level, as the approach taken needs to be far more pragmatic and operational in nature - it needs to be seen to solve specific problems facing the city.


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#330 nagel

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 09:30 AM

I'm a centrist non-CoV resident but I'll give it a shot nonetheless.

 

I think the biggest weakness of the current council is overdoing it on the homelessness file.  Quite honestly the city is becoming a bit of a zoo, and I think the continuation of low barrier sites and new safe injection sites will only continue this.  I'm not going to pretend to know what the answer is, but if you want to unseat them, you better offer up a contrarian view that is still palatable to the centre-left.

 

You could try attacking them for spending but I don't think it will work.  The spending is not that high, most of the current councillors are not at fault for the JSB, and the pool just happens to be at the end of its life and needs refurbishment/replacement.  

 

You could try the bike lanes, but placing my love for them aside I still think this angle will fail.  Over 50% of residents do not drive to work.  Sure, only about 10% bike to work, but you will find widespread support for safe biking throughout that 50% and it's only a vocal minority of drivers who are completely against them.  Other cities whose councils have gone bike lane crazy in climates worse than ours have survived their implementation just fine.

 

They are not leaving themselves open on the development file either.  Developments are being approved, and the only swath of people against them are already on team Helps.


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#331 Awaiting Juno

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 09:57 AM

Note: I don't think an alternate slate has to take different positions on all the issues, and generally speaking a positive campaign (ie. how would you approach the problem) is likely to have more traction than an attack of the current regime.  It's a tough job, prove that you can do it better - and that might mean taking parts of the wheel that work (even a clock is right twice a day), and improving upon or replacing the ones that don't.


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#332 nerka

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 10:14 AM

you better offer up a contrarian view that is still palatable to the centre-left.

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Victoria is probably too left for a populist Ford Nation type takeover. That was only possible in TO because they were amalgamated with more conservative burbs.

 

I do think the current council could be vulnerable to a slate pledging lower spending. The problem is how you come up with that lower spending in a credible plan. Last election I heard candidates talking about "increasing police presence" (our biggest budget line item) at the same time as reducing spending. Made me wonder about their seriousness.


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#333 Rob Randall

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 10:25 AM

That time-worn slogan to "cut spending" won't get enough traction among voters to oust imcumbents. People are more or less satisfied with the status quo so there isn't really an issue for a challenger to latch onto. The only other tactic would be a personality campaign over an issue campaign by running a well-liked household name.


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#334 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 10:36 AM

That time-worn slogan to "cut spending" won't get enough traction among voters to oust imcumbents. People are more or less satisfied with the status quo so there isn't really an issue for a challenger to latch onto. The only other tactic would be a personality campaign over an issue campaign by running a well-liked household name.

 

The slogan to use is "stop tax increases", and cut duplication and waste.  That works.  Then you also say that you are "tough on crime", and every criminal act - no matter how small - will be prosecuted.

 

"If criminals choose to operate in Victoria - drug dealers, pimps, vandals and thieves - they will be most unwelcome here, from the very day I'm sworn in.  They will find it very, very uncomfortable to operate inside this jurisdiction, and rightly so.  They will no longer be active in an environment where our hard-working citizens have to fear for the safety of their person, their home, or their possessions as they go about their daily lives.  No more.  No longer will criminals prey on our most vulnerable.  Our outstanding police force has the highest case-load in the country, specifically because they have been told to ignore the "little crimes", and criminals know this.  That will end on the very first day of my tenure."

 

 


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<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#335 nagel

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 10:49 AM

Which is actually a fairly right wing agenda, which I honestly don't see getting traction in this city.  There are far more bleeding hearts in this city than people who want the knight sticks to come out.



#336 North Shore

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 11:28 AM

That said, I'm really not hard to find or figure out as to who I am.  I'm not hiding hard behind my alias as it is the one I use for the vast majority of my personal activities.  I'm on twitter (@awaitingjuno) and from there, you can figure out who I am on linked in and where ever else. 

 

Ahh, yes, but are you going to come to the VV get-together next wednesday, or will your parents not let you out of the basement by yourself after dark! ;-)


Say, what's that mountain goat doing up here in the mist?

#337 Dr.Doinglittle

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 11:34 AM

What's the breakdown of home owners vs. renters in Victoria? Anyone know how we compare to other munis?

 

I am inclined to think that home owners vote a lot differently than renters.



#338 Awaiting Juno

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 11:37 AM

"Compassionate conservatism" or "Pragmatic Progress":

 

Some ideas:

 

* Build capacity for self-sufficiency by enhancing access to rehabilitation, training and paid employment - build a pathway for people to become a contributing part of Victoria.  Support and promote the organizations and initiatives that facilitate recovery and re-integration, while making it harder for organizations that systematically enable drug addiction and criminality to continue.  Require that low-barrier facilities face maximum capacity and minimum distance to schools regulations.  Require program evaluation as a prerequisite for receiving city funding.  Push for the province to take on provincial initiatives to avoid Victoria becoming a magnet for the economically destitute.

* Protect and enhance downtown Victoria as the economic heart of the city - ensure that shopping, working and being downtown is enjoyable for tourists and residents.  Ensure streets are clean and enforce bylaws.  Encourage and promote activities that make downtown a viable place - consider enhancing shuttle options, and other non-car ways to get into the core.  Promote entertainment within the core.  Consider making transit within the core free.  If people can easily get into and out of downtown without their cars, some of the current parking headaches might be alleviated.  Help retailers meet the needs of their customers - perhaps consider subsidizing the delivery of purchases to consumers' homes or hotels to further enable people who want to shop downtown to do so. 

* Amalgamation - work towards core amalgamation of Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay and Victoria with a plan to see integration of these municipalities within the next 10 years to take advantage of economies of scale and opportunities to provide more comprehensive programs and services.

* Ensure that any increase in spending results in "value for money" - that residents will get something in return for paying more taxes (better facilities, safer streets, more jobs, etc.).


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#339 Awaiting Juno

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 11:41 AM

Ahh, yes, but are you going to come to the VV get-together next wednesday, or will your parents not let you out of the basement by yourself after dark!

 

There's a get together?  When exactly...note with kids, I need to arrange babysitting or hope that my husband is not tied to his desk (which as a small business owner is very much so the current reality)...



#340 Nparker

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 11:54 AM

There's a get together?  When exactly...

Wednesday, December 7, 2016; 4:30-7:00; Wenman Room @ the Sticky Wicket


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