11779 replies to this topic

[Midnightly]

Apparently during the two days she was in Germany she completely understood how they made pedestrian malls work and has decided to do the same here.

 

I wouldn't worry too much, anything Helps messes around with fails. Look where we are with Crystal Pool and the Firehall.

 

 

but she sure likes to throw alot of money at it for things like studies and consultations....

[Midnightly]

Government Street will close to vehicle traffic. Mayor Helps says “ In this term we will do it”. 5:00 CTV News.

So much for consultation.

 

 

didn't they just spend stupid amounts of money (and took away parking) to put a bike lane on wharf street when many said to put it on government so they can ride safe and not with traffic? now they plan to shut down government to vehicle traffic seems like a rather significant waste to me

 

i can understand shutting down government for festivals, for events, but not full time 12 months of the year.. it will become a bit of a dead zone...

 

you also can't permanently block both ends because many parades use government as part of the route

Edited by Midnightly, 28 May 2019 - 09:24 PM.

[mbjj]

All because she went to Heidelberg. We were there several years ago and while it does have a nice little old town core of walking streets, the rest is just your usual cityscape with cars. The postcard view of Heidelberg showing the castle on the hill is very misleading as the rest of the town flattens out. The Old Town is sort of at one end of things, it's not a thoroughfare needed to pass through to go anywhere. I thought this was a great streetview of Heidelberg if you consider the fellow in the foreground, lol.

 

https://www.google.c...0!7i5376!8i2688

[lanforod]

One of these that I really like is Koenigstrasse in Stuttgart. It's not like they don't have dead times during winter as well in Germany.

I've always liked this idea, but it needs to be done right. eg. We need more restaurants in the area that will setup mid street patios at least in the summer.

[spanky123]

Government Street will close to vehicle traffic. Mayor Helps says “ In this term we will do it”. 5:00 CTV News.

So much for consultation.

 

On CFAX this morning the Mayor stated that the plan was no longer to close Government to vehicle traffic but instead to have everyone share but put people first. 

 

If everyone can successfully share a road then we do we need bike lanes?

[Nparker]

On CFAX this morning the Mayor stated that the plan was no longer to close Government to vehicle traffic but instead to have everyone share ...

How exactly would that work? 

[Tom Braybrook]

...now ben is forming a local chapter of the WCTU...

 

Coun. Ben Isitt said the city should consider reducing its late-night costs by recovering additional revenue from operators “who profit off the drunkenness that causes the disorder that necessitates this program.”

 

Isitt wants the city to look for ways to strengthen regulations to reduce anti-social behaviour resulting from over-serving and over-consumption of alcohol.

[RFS]

...now ben is forming a local chapter of the WCTU...

 

Coun. Ben Isitt said the city should consider reducing its late-night costs by recovering additional revenue from operators “who profit off the drunkenness that causes the disorder that necessitates this program.”

 

 

Isitt wants the city to look for ways to strengthen regulations to reduce anti-social behaviour resulting from over-serving and over-consumption of alcohol.

 

Bar goers, bad.  Heroin junkies, good.

[Jackerbie]

How exactly would that work? 

 

Remove the curb so everything is at the same grade, speed limit goes down to 20 km/h or so. Pavement markings provide some structure but are mostly there as guidance. Check out Bratislava, below.

 

 

One of the things that stands out in Europe is that people generally make more eye contact and have a better understanding of right of way and courtesy.

[Nparker]

I'm OK with this plan if it means we get streetcar service on Government.

[DustMagnet]

So of course I had to google helmet laws in Slovakia based on Jackerbie's pic.  It turns out >15 years old doesn't need a helmet in towns or villages but more important than that:
 

The new act also introduces a fine of up to €60 for drivers using insulting gestures, for example, knocking on one’s forehead or using a pointed middle-finger while behind the steering wheel.

 

 

It's illegal to flip off other drivers.

[Awaiting Juno]

I just wish the mayor would be a little more reflective about her ideas before releasing them into the wild and that she'd ask herself if she's accomplishing her goal in the most cost effective way.  I wish she'd think more about the people who might be negatively impacted and would think about ways to mitigate that impact.  I get the sense we'd spend a lot less money if she put her climate emergency talk into her actions and quit globe trotting every opportunity she gets. 

[rjag]

I swear this council suffers from squirrel syndrome!

 

Hows Firehall #1 doing? Hows the Crystal Pool plan? 

 

Distraction politics 101

[Jackerbie]

So of course I had to google helmet laws in Slovakia based on Jackerbie's pic.  It turns out >15 years old doesn't need a helmet in towns or villages but more important than that:
 

 

It's illegal to flip off other drivers.

 

BC is in the overwhelming minority when it comes to helmet laws. Take a look at this rough map: https://en.wikipedia...laws_by_country

[Belleprincess]

So here is the latest and greatest from council:

A letter was sent out a few weeks back regarding a new TAX that will be imposed on business owners in the core (5.8 million) in the next 5 years. This tax will go towards “studies” (very broad on that one,) maintaining streets and sidewalks. maintain municipally owned buildings and heritage buildings. Excuse me - but what the heck?!? Don’t businesses pay 3 times what homeowners do? And now they have to pay extra to maintain the sidewalks. And buildings owned by the city? Pretty much done with this council and their ridiculousness

[Nparker]

What "studies" need to be done? Maintain the existing infrastructure within annual budgets that don't increase beyond the cost of inflation. If any funds are left additional projects may then be considered, 

[Victoria Watcher]

when was the last time any core local municipal budget stayed at or lower than inflation? 1986?

[Midnightly]

What "studies" need to be done? Maintain the existing infrastructure within annual budgets that don't increase beyond the cost of inflation. If any funds are left additional projects may then be considered, 

 

 

you know how this mayor and council work.. they do studies just for the sake of doing studies to pay the people who do the studies.... and when the study doesn't give them the answers they want they pick and choose the info to make the study fit their agenda

[Belleprincess]

What "studies" need to be done? Maintain the existing infrastructure within annual budgets that don't increase beyond the cost of inflation. If any funds are left additional projects may then be considered,

Probably communist studies

[mbjj]

I hear Helps is now off to Quebec City, presumably flying.