11779 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

In fact, seven of the capital region’s 13 mayors say they have already decided to try for another four years in the job. The list includes Fred Haynes of Saanich, Kevin Murdoch of Oak Bay, Maja Tait of Sooke, Ryan Windsor of Central Saanich, Barb Desjardins of Esquimalt, Rob Martin of Colwood and David Screech of View Royal.

 

Highlands’ Ken Williams says he’s tilting in that direction, too, while Metchosin’s John Ranns is leaning the opposite way. Asked if he plans to run again, Ranns replied, “Hopefully not.”

 

Neither Sidney’s Cliff McNeil-Smith nor North Saanich’s Geoff Orr is yet ready to say. Nor is Langford’s Stew Young. The mayor since 1993, Young typically doesn’t make up his mind until three months before the election.

 

Of the 13, only Helps flat-out says she will not run again. She made that commitment before the last election in 2018, vowing her second four-year term would be her last.

 

Who will succeed her? Helps says she has discussed the job seriously with Marianne Alto, who has been on council since 2010. “She’s practical, she’s middle-of-the-road, she’s non-ideological,” Helps says.

 

https://www.timescol...elps-1.24363333

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 October 2021 - 06:21 AM.

[Stephen James]

presumably a large portion of responses come from Victoria Foundation donors. So it’s not a bad thing they canvass their base.

No, you're correct.

The "bad thing" is wilfully misrepresenting this document as a "survey",  and/or a representation of the wishes of the community.

[Stephen James]

 

In fact, seven of the capital region’s 13 mayors say they have already decided to try for another four years in the job. The list includes Fred Haynes of Saanich, Kevin Murdoch of Oak Bay, Maja Tait of Sooke, Ryan Windsor of Central Saanich, Barb Desjardins of Esquimalt, Rob Martin of Colwood and David Screech of View Royal.

 

Highlands’ Ken Williams says he’s tilting in that direction, too, while Metchosin’s John Ranns is leaning the opposite way. Asked if he plans to run again, Ranns replied, “Hopefully not.”

 

Neither Sidney’s Cliff McNeil-Smith nor North Saanich’s Geoff Orr is yet ready to say. Nor is Langford’s Stew Young. The mayor since 1993, Young typically doesn’t make up his mind until three months before the election.

 

Of the 13, only Helps flat-out says she will not run again. She made that commitment before the last election in 2018, vowing her second four-year term would be her last.

 

Who will succeed her? Helps says she has discussed the job seriously with Marianne Alto, who has been on council since 2010. “She’s practical, she’s middle-of-the-road, she’s non-ideological,” Helps says.

 

https://www.timescol...elps-1.24363333

 

Helps has her pet, obviously.

 

Alto can claim being non-ideological but her voting history says otherwise. She's been as bad as Isitt or Loveday, and worse. Look at the last 2 years, and especially any issue that might have encouraged homeless, addicts, criminals and those suffering from mental illness to come to little Victoria.

 

One sure thing: we should not have councillors, let alone Mayors, making decisions in this town who choose to live elsewhere. Where does she live? (last I heard, not Victoria)

[Nparker]

Lisa Helps' endorsement is all I need to NOT vote for someone.

[Spy Black]

Alto can claim being non-ideological but her voting history says otherwise.

Agreed, it would be a huge mistake for folks to confuse Alto's exceptionally calm demeanor and well spoken personality - with her actual politics.

 

Many folks (including myself) have been fooled and then fooled again as a result of that smooth talking ability.

Edited by Spy Black, 12 October 2021 - 02:25 PM.

[pontcanna]

Council to vote Thursday on extending Victoria’s street and sidewalk patio permits

Staff recommends pushing Build Back Victoria program deadline to next June

Oct. 13, 2021

 

Phillips Brewing

 

Victoria council on Thursday is expected to decide if pandemic-erected street and sidewalk patios will be allowed to stick around until next June.

The Business Recovery from Pandemic Bylaw is set to expire at the end of the month, which would see an end to the city’s Build Back Victoria (BBV) initiatives, such as letting businesses operate temporary patios on public spaces.

A staff report recommends that council make amendments to extend the bylaw until June 1. Those changes, if approved, would let businesses not already permitted to operate on public space to apply by Oct. 31. Businesses with a BBV permit would need to apply for an extension by Nov. 30 and would still have to meet safety, accessibility and corporate stewardship requirements.
 

More: https://www.vicnews....-patio-permits/

 

[Mike K.]

Until next June? They're sort of designed for warm weather, so wouldn't it make sense to have them remain through the end of September?

[VIResident]

Until next June? They're sort of designed for warm weather, so wouldn't it make sense to have them remain through the end of September?

 

You lost me at "make sense". 

[Awaiting Juno]

Until next June? They're sort of designed for warm weather, so wouldn't it make sense to have them remain through the end of September?

 

That would be logical and reasonable. And maybe just maybe we need to look at circumstances where they can be a permanent addition to our streetscape and a source of additional revenue - for both the city and the business operators.

[Mike K.]

Right. And that could be why they want to revisit the plan in June, and then switch over to pay-for-space for businesses that want to continue with these structures.

[Spy Black]

Howie Segal and company are building a very substantial "all weather" facility on the street out in front of Pagliaccis currently.

 

So based on the fact that construction began yesterday, I'd posit that they view outdoor dining as being fully operational and full speed ahead for winter.

[pontcanna]

Patios approved for another year by Victoria city council

October 14, 2021

These tables might be empty now but not for long because the popularity of patios is not going away anytime soon, and that’s good news to Jam Cafe owner, Jim Walmsley.

“We’ll keep it going as long as it’s sunny and decent weather as long as people want to sit outside, we’re going to keep it going as long as possible.”

There are currently 95 patios for bars, pubs and restaurants in Victoria.

The city allowed patio dining at a time during the pandemic when indoor dining wasn’t possible.

Council moved one step closer to making them permanent by voting to extend the existing permits until October 31, 2022.

That’s a move in the right direction, according to Jeff Bray, executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

 

More: https://www.cheknews...council-900120/

 

[Mike K.]

"Council moved one step closer to making them permanent by voting to extend the existing permits until October 31, 2022."

 

There we go. That's better.

[JimV]

It’s all good.  I’m looking forward to having a beer on the sidewalk on New Year’s Eve (if we haven’t cancelled it.) Much safer.

[Spy Black]

Pag's new street-side patio facility.

 

Look waaaay up to see the overhead "ambience" lighting over the entire block.

The COV could really do this block up nicely if they did some proper landscaping. Maybe take up the pavement and lay brick, walkways, gardens, etc.

This is debatably the nicest block in the central downtown core anyway ... it could be quite stunning if done properly.

Attached Images

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Edited by Spy Black, 15 October 2021 - 01:02 PM.

[Nparker]

Will additional taxes be levied on these structures?

[Victoria Watcher]

slow down nparker. let the industry re-coup a bit. then next year they can look at patio fees to level things back out with patio places.

[Spy Black]

Will additional taxes be levied on these structures?

I'm not sure.

Pag's leased the now empty camera shop next door for extra seating space last winter season, but I would imagine that the actual $$$$ spent on a building lease like that exceeds whatever the COV is charging (if anything) to use the street for a semi-permanent food service facility.

Edited by Spy Black, 15 October 2021 - 01:05 PM.

[Nparker]

slow down nparker. let the industry re-coup a bit. then next year they can look at patio fees to level things back out with patio places.

Last I checked the CoV has offered me exactly zero breaks on my property taxes during the duration of the pandemic.

[spanky123]

Will additional taxes be levied on these structures?

 

The City was going to be charging fees but they decided not to for now. There is lots of excess parking at the moment so the loss of spots should not be having a financial impact but should we return to somewhat of a 'normal' cycle next summer then the revenue loss will be material.

Edited by spanky123, 15 October 2021 - 04:02 PM.