93 replies to this topic

[martini]

tedward, thank you so much for that post. Greatly appreciated and will be shared.

[Mike K.]

We received the following press release from Open Victoria.

Victoria Mayoral candidate Paul Brown has released a 13-point Action Plan for building a transparent and accountable government at City Hall.

Speaking to an all-candidates meeting Sunday night in Fairfield, Brown noted there is a strong demand for a change in direction at City Hall.

“People are telling me they want to see less secrecy, tighter spending controls and an end to service cuts,” he said. “My action plan will address all of these issues, beginning on Day One.”

Key points in the plan include:

· Conduct an independent review of the City’s financial condition

· Conduct a public review of the City’s infrastructure needs, develop a prioritized list and build it into the annual budget process

· Order a review and public report on the City’s acquisition and operation of the Travellers Inns

· Open discussions with Oak Bay, Esquimalt and Saanich on the feasibility of sharing garbage and organic waste collection services

· Eliminate the City’s Corporate Communications Office

“These and the other points in my Action Plan are designed to bring an open and accountable administration to City Hall,” said Brown.

“Victorians are facing some tough choices in the near future,” said Brown. “But I am confident we can overcome them if City Hall is truly open and takes a responsible approach to budgeting and spending.”

That approach has clearly not been evident under the current administration, Brown noted and it has cost the City dearly. Yet the Mayor’s re-election campaign simply asks voters to “continue the momentum.”

“People deserve more from their Mayor than empty platitudes and self-congratulation about the situation we find ourselves in today,” said Brown. “Voters expect their Mayor to show leadership; to have realistic goals and a public plan for achieving them.

“Stumbling crisis to crisis—as we have seen with the City’s handling of the Johnson Street Bridge, the Travellers Inns and the Number One Fire Hall—is no way to manage the City vital affairs.”

A complete outline of Paul Brown’s vision for Victoria and his 13-point Action Plan is attached.

Paul Brown is available to comment: (250) 727-8798

Paul Brown’s Vision

If I am elected Mayor of Victoria, my key pledge is to deliver a Council and City Hall that is open, accountable and transparent to the public.

Here’s what I mean by that:

· Victoria will have a realistic and public plan for restoring or replacing its crumbling infrastructure, including its sewers, roads and public recreational facilities.

· Future city budget plans and financial forecasts will share with the public all the assumptions they are based on, not just those that make the numbers look better than they are.

· When taxpayers are told their rates will increase by only 3.9%, they will not get a tax bill later saying 7%.

· When city projects are budgeted, that is the amount taxpayers can expect to pay, not double or triple that amount due to a lack of financial controls at City Hall.

· City Council will devote itself to creating realistic and measurable targets and monitoring results, not micro-managing every issue and project that comes along.

· City Hall will be seen by the public as a collaborative partner in the development of proposals, plans and initiatives that address the stated objectives of the City Council and the community at large.

· City Hall staff will be non-partisan, free of political influence and perform to the universal standard of a professional public service.

· Council and City Hall will operate to a publicly-recognized standard for open government transparency and the timely sharing of information. By default, all information will be made public unless there is a sound and defensible legal reason for not doing so.

· City Council will not conduct in camera meetings without a legally sound reason. And if Council goes in camera, the specific reason will be shared with the public.

Paul Brown’s Action Plan

Here are 13 actions I will take to achieve this result:

· I will conduct an independent review of the City’s financial affairs and position

· I will eliminate the City’s Corporate Communications Office

· I will order a review of the City’s executive, management and administrative functions

· I will re-examine and re-structure the City’s public advisory committees if necessary

· I will develop and publish a list of the City’s infrastructure needs and conduct a public consultation to prioritize and build them into the City’s annual budget plans

· I will order the public disclosure of the financial status of the Johnson Street Bridge replacement and the prioritized list of risks associated with it

· I will open an immediate discussion with Esquimalt to determine possibility of renewing the Policing Agreement

· I will open discussions with Oak Bay, Esquimalt and Saanich to determine the feasibility of sharing garbage and organic waste collection services

· I will request the CRD to consider funding the Johnson Street Bridge replacement on the same basis as the replacement of Craigflower Bridge (92%)

· I will fund the implementation of the Official Community Plan and the Downtown Core Area Plan

· I will that Local Area Plans be updated

· I will order a review and public report on the City’s efforts to mitigate homelessness and the results to date



Paul Brown is available to comment: (250) 727-8798

www.paulforvictoria.ca

www.openvictoria.ca

[slinkyo]

Old tactics, tired rhetoric..cowardly jabbing...a lot of hot air. It's easy to poke holes at elected officials and it only shows desperation rather than strategy.

So far what I have seen of Brown's character is old style negative politics—certainly not someone I would ever vote for. And Fugger isn't helping shape his reputation in the SLIM chance he would be elected. A total turn-off and definitely not material to run this city, nor be a leader to look up to.

[Baro]

Those 13 points are music to my ears. The city needs an honest professional at the helm. We've been overrun with cronyism and dishonesty, I hope Mr. Brown can clean house and run the city half as transparently as he claims if elected. I'm so sick of Fortin's fear, misinformation, and partisan based "leadership".

[G-Man]

I am thinking I would vote for Paul Brown though his video in the last by-election is still haunting me. It really is the only thing holding me back. He coud really use some of those communication people hired by Fortin

[Bob Fugger]

Old tactics, tired rhetoric..cowardly jabbing...a lot of hot air. It's easy to poke holes at elected officials and it only shows desperation rather than strategy.

So far what I have seen of Brown's character is old style negative politics—certainly not someone I would ever vote for. And Fugger isn't helping shape his reputation in the SLIM chance he would be elected. A total turn-off and definitely not material to run this city, nor be a leader to look up to.

A real leader with a plan, committed to lifting the shroud on City Hall and as a contrast, someone who doesn't treat the electorate with utter contempt in the intervening three year period between elections? Yeah, why would we want that?

As well, I think you give me far too much credit. How, exactly have I shaped his reputation? By wanting to vote for him? By asking about finances? By stating that Emperor Dean has no clothes? Please.

[Barrett r Blackwood]

I am siding with Fugger on this one, as the one who will be mayor , hell ya Paul Brown is going to raise the level of debate and thats a good thing.

[martini]

I am siding with Fugger on this one, as the one who will be mayor , hell ya Paul Brown is going to raise the level of debate and thats a good thing.

Yes, and I find the level of discussion quite refreshing.
I've seen some great posts. Well rounded.

[Bernard]

The candidates for mayor will be on CFAX at 9 am for an hour long debate

[Mike K.]

We've just received word that ex-Victoria Mayor Peter Pollen has endorsed Paul Brown for Mayor of Victoria.

Former Mayor of Victoria Endorses Paul Brown

The following endorsement was received today from Peter Pollen, 4-term mayor of Victoria:

"Paul Brown is a truly fresh wave in the city election. He is articulate, informative and courageous in his presentation of the grave issues facing Victoria; he also has an excellent list for remedial action. Yes, the current council is not competent in their managerial performance. Finances are out of control. Debt is mounting. And the council’s answer to these challenges is to hide behind newly hired PR men.

I whole heartedly support Paul Brown for Mayor of our beautiful City. Peter Pollen (former four term mayor of Victoria)

Derry McDonell
(250) 858-4604

[Lorenzo]

We've just received word that ex-Victoria Mayor Peter Pollen has endorsed Paul Brown for Mayor of Victoria.

I'm not sure that is a bonus endorsement.

[Barrett r Blackwood]

Thank you Mr. Pollen for supporting Paul Brown and for having the courage to stand up at this time-very well said sr.
Good luck to all the new faces in city hall.

[Mike K.]

Mr. Pollen has his followers and they are now likely to support Brown. Pollen does not see eye to eye with many of the participants on VV, though.

[Edit: I accidentally wrote "not" earlier. My bad ]

[VicHockeyFan]

I'll be voting for PAUL BROWN.

[Sparky]

^ Me too.

[Nparker]

Me, three...lesser of 2 evils etc.

[martini]

Me four

[gumgum]

Here.

[Mike K.]

Yup.

[G-Man]

Hmmm Pollen likes him eh? Well that makes me think there must be something terribly wrong with him that I haven't figured out yet.