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#721 G-Man

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Posted 13 February 2022 - 07:42 PM

New post up today. This time I ponder why we don't have any food carts in Victoria. Also why I think we should...

 

https://www.sidewalk...the-street-food


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#722 G-Man

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Posted 08 March 2022 - 08:55 PM

Time for a new post on Sidewalking Victoria. This time I finally dig into the completed Capital Park project in James Bay. Have a read and let me know what you think!

 

https://www.sidewalk...ete-development


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It has a whole new look!

 


#723 G-Man

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Posted 18 March 2022 - 12:16 PM

New post up, this time on the making of View Street into a two-way street. It is also my 200th blog post!

 

https://www.sidewalk...ria-view-street


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It has a whole new look!

 


#724 G-Man

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Posted 01 April 2022 - 05:21 AM

New post up. This time it's on my opinion on amalgamation. I know everyone will agree immediately :)

 

https://www.sidewalk...of-amalgamation


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#725 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 01 April 2022 - 05:26 AM

Well, I do not agree with the premise that amalgamation can't save us money.   Done wrongly, it won't save money.  But nobody seems to approach the idea with the mindset of looking for savings.


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#726 Sparky

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Posted 01 April 2022 - 07:13 AM

Thanks for that well written article G-Man.

As an (almost) life long resident of Saanich whose father was born in and worked for the Corporation of the District of Saanich…I must confess that I am not much of a fanboy of the “A” word discussions.

Having said that, I realize that the discussion needs to take place. Perhaps joint servicing could be sampled at first. We do it already with water, sewers and ambulances…why not try it with the fire departments?

The current model of 13 rather small politically and socially distinct areas seems rather wasteful at first glance….but those first glances usually come from someone who has moved here from those other utopian cities that you mentioned in your article.

To those of whose families have been here for generations …it makes more sense to us.

#727 G-Man

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Posted 01 April 2022 - 08:03 PM

^^ Well it could save us money. I just don't think we should use that as a sales point as it should not be the point but just a benefit. 

 

Sparky - I know there is a feeling that it has always been this way but maybe we should just ask the people what they want. If it gets voted down in a referendum, I will be disappointed but I will certainly stop trying to promote it :)


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#728 aastra

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Posted 02 April 2022 - 01:52 PM

The amalgamation debate is literally almost as old as the city itself. The frustratingly drawn-out character of the debate was already evident way back in 1911, and people were already seeking to take a break from it.

 

Come on, the amalgamation debate itself is just another manipulative political ploy, a reductionist false choice between option A or option B (whichever side you happen to identify with today is the good side and the other side is the bad side... and if ever you relocate between Victoria and Saanich then you flip your position accordingly). I used to be obsessed with this debate but I don't even bother with it anymore. After 120 years of arguing pros and cons it should be clear the political overlords won't allow it to happen until they're 100% certain it would make everything much more inefficient, expensive, & miserable for all concerned.

 

 

Daily Colonist

August 23, 1944
 
 
The arguments in favor of amalgamation of cheek-by-jowl communities in the Greater Victoria area have not changed much in twenty years. They are still sound. Yet every time they are mentioned, little jealousies narrow parochial channels of thought, (and) the immediate objections -- which are far outweighed by the long-range benefits of cooperation, unity, and harmony -- are brought forward to defeat the plan, and indeed to bar all inquiry into its feasibility. This newspaper, which was in existence long before the City of Victoria was incorporated, has reported the discussion many times over.
 
Taken upon its positive side, a Greater Victoria community of 75,000 people would have a good deal more practical influence in urban, provincial, and national affairs than a city of some 45,000 population. One administration for education, fire prevention, policing, water, transportation, health, and joint community efforts could be made far more effective than five such administrations. Borders created artificially in the past have to some extent been outgrown through settlement and development in the last few decades. The Greater Victoria area is attracting people, and to a degree not experienced before. These are facts which will bear scrutiny.
 
Internally in Victoria, this city did not make much progress while it retained its "ward" system. There was always a contest between the various wards: for roads, for schools, for fire halls, for this and for that. The abolition of the ward system coincided with the development of Victoria as one economic and cultural unit. Everyone in the community, and the thousands of people since attracted, have benefited from that. And today a two-mile circle around the City Hall stands for precisely nothing in plain common fact. The community overlaps it in every human sense.
 
It will be nobody's loss, and to every individual's gain, to ascertain the facts. Inquiry may reveal factors of cohesion that have not existed before. Inquiry will show, we submit, that never was there a time in the past when amalgamation could have done so much for the greater area as a whole. Even if only two of the five municipalities can draw a little closer together, that will be a gain. At least the nucleus of a larger union will have been created.
 
Citizens of Victoria, if we interpret them aright, have been open-minded on this question for a long time. They are ready to go half-way into any bargain that is fair and workable for all concerned. Let us examine the facts, as they have shaded, and changed and progressed with the passing of the years. For, nothing in nature stands still. Neither can five divided communities whose borders now crowd one another, so that often they have to be written in terms of half the width of a street.

 

***

 

 

Daily Colonist

December 9, 1944
 
 
K.W. Richmond, councillor for Ward Seven, Saanich, announced yesterday he would not stand for re-election this year because he felt he would be condoning the ward system, to which he was opposed. Saanich would not progress under the present setup, he stated.
 
"...I have consistently fought against the ward system and feel it would be detrimental to take part in the council's deliberations now. It would be condoning the system. Improvements to roads and street lighting cannot be fairly instituted under such division."
 
There were two opposing factions in Saanich, the councillor stated, the farmers and the urban dwellers. He felt the answer was a Greater Victoria.
 
"Everything done in Saanich has been of a temporary nature, except for one school. While our finances are in good shape and our taxes are comparatively low, we have nothing to show for it. By the time we get around to permanent improvements in lights, roads, and facilities, our taxes will be as high as in Victoria. We might as well profit by amalgamation, and do away with the factions caused by the ward system."
 
***
 

 

Daily Colonist

March 18, 1950
 
 
From comparative obscurity before the turn of the century, Oak Bay has earned itself the reputation of being one of the most-envied municipalities in British Columbia.
 
Oak Bay has attained this valued position because of much expert guidance since its incorporation in 1906. Careful management and sound investment have made Oak Bay a financially healthy municipality which stands high in the bond dealers' register.
 
Good municipal government has kept taxes low in comparison with other municipalities. Services are considered good. The municipality's bonded indebtedness is low...
 
Like other municipalities, Oak Bay is in the midst of a building boom with attractive subdivisions springing up throughout. In order to maintain a high standard, municipal building restrictions are strict...
 
From a population of about 300 in 1906, the area has grown into a thriving municipality of 12,500 residents and 3,600 homes. Homeowners are well protected by well-planned zoning regulations.
 
Oak Bay has great natural beauties with its winding seashore, sandy beaches and bountiful park areas. There are two world-famous golf courses within its bounds. Boating, yachting and fishing enthusiasts find Oak Bay ideal.
 
EFFICIENT MUNICIPAL SERVICES are a keynote in Oak Bay. Councils have avoided amalgamation like the plague. Police and fire departments give the taxpayer the protection he deserves.
 
(Caption to picture: ON THIS STREET note absence of telephone and electrical poles and lines... Street pictured above is in new subdivision and has been developed along more modern town-planning ideas. Street is gracefully curved and all poles are erected on back of lot lines instead of front. Note neater appearance.)

 

***

 

 

Daily Colonist

December 6, 1911
 
 
City Council will Seek Mutual Benefit Under Scheme to Create a Greater Victoria -- Outlook Hopeful
 
A supplementary report purporting to be explanatory of the first one which was recently submitted by the special committee appointed to suggest a scheme of limits extension for the city to cover the territory to later form a "Greater Victoria" was laid before the city council last evening. This latest report adds little to the former except that it seeks to set forth the motives which actuated the committee and makes appeal for the sinking of all sectional and personal feelings in the matter. The report follows:
 
"That in view of the reported unwillingness of the Oak Bay council to consider amalgamation with Victoria, or to meet with all other parties interested, until a more specific explanation of intention was forthcoming, we recommend that the Oak Bay council be informed that it is impossible for Victoria to lay down any explicit hard and fast adjustment without first consulting the interests of the territories party to the consolidation. It was in order that the city of Victoria might make and receive suggestions that the joint meeting was requested.
 
"Your committee would suggest to the representatives of the outside districts that Victoria was not impelled by selfish motives to suggest amalgamation, but rather from a growing conviction that the interests of the whole peninsula, from water to water, east and west, and as far north as will directly effect the environment of our capital city, can be best developed by a unanimity of purpose and design, and of interest, rather than by split up conflict of interests."
 
"Our water supply, sewerage service and transportation facilities, including railroad, street-car and trunk roads, are interests common to all."
 
TAXATION QUESTION
 
"No additional taxation, under our present local improvement system, would apply to the new territories except for policing, fire protection and lighting and, according to the former report, it is proposed they be exempt from all liability for all existing city debts, from which they receive no direct benefit, and in the latter case, if any, subject to equitable adjustment, and no part of the cost of waterworks would apply to districts supplied by the Esquimalt Water Works company."
 
"With the present impetus to expansion, and in view of the effect the opening of the Panama canal will have upon the whole coast, it appears to your committee that all spirits of sectionalism and personal preference, should be sunk in a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether for a greater Victoria, of which the surroundings should make for complete harmony. Such amalgamation will insure a stronger people and a more competent governing system and personality."
 
Alderman Ross believed the scheme to be five years ahead of the times. It would be better to spend the next five years building up the city as it now is.

 

 



#729 G-Man

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Posted 03 April 2022 - 07:06 PM

Yes the history behind it was something I purposely left out as it would have required me writing a decently long book. And you are right it is all about the preservation of power and that is not just limited to politicians but also special interest groups and even individuals to an extent. Still if there is a crack in the Shell I am all for smacking it to see what happens.

Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#730 G-Man

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Posted 07 April 2022 - 04:41 PM

New post up. Sorry its a photography post. This time about a roll of Lomography Redscale I recently shot. That said the photos are all Victoria. Let me know what you think.

 

https://www.sidewalk...graphy-redscale


Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#731 Nparker

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Posted 07 April 2022 - 05:33 PM

I really like the latest "Sidewalking" post, perhaps because I am a photo essay enthusiast. I wasn't aware of Lomography Redscale film and I think the results are very good.

I must draw attention to one particular image, that I think speaks volumes about city's efforts to pedestrianize Government Street.

Screenshot 2022-04-07 182307.png

It clearly takes more than just closing a road to vehicles to bring a space to life.



#732 G-Man

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Posted 08 April 2022 - 05:33 AM

Thanks Nparker! Appreciate the comment!
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Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#733 G-Man

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Posted 16 April 2022 - 08:36 PM

New post up! This one is on my return to mainland North America and Point Roberts in particular. The town is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. If you get a chance go down and have a look!

 

https://www.sidewalk...erts-washington


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Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#734 G-Man

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Posted 30 April 2022 - 07:45 PM

New post up tonight on Downtown city corners and how to make them better or worse. Have a read and let me know your thoughts.

https://www.sidewalk...own-city-corner

Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#735 G-Man

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Posted 07 May 2022 - 08:57 PM

And another post on a recent downtown Victoria street photography meet-up.

https://www.sidewalk...7/1hourphotoyyj

Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#736 Mike K.

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Posted 08 May 2022 - 10:15 AM

Great shots, Gman!
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#737 G-Man

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Posted 08 May 2022 - 10:31 AM

Thanks!

Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#738 Nparker

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Posted 08 May 2022 - 10:46 AM

Great shots, Gman!

Agreed.  :thumbsup:



#739 G-Man

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Posted 09 May 2022 - 03:15 PM

Thanks again!


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Visit my blog at: https://www.sidewalkingvictoria.com 

 

It has a whole new look!

 


#740 G-Man

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Posted 23 May 2022 - 07:58 AM

New post up on Sidewalking Victoria - This one I know will likely annoy some of the anti bike lane folks. Anyways this one is on a new crosswalk at Herald and Government Street. 

 

https://www.sidewalk...story-continues


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It has a whole new look!

 


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