Friday, February 28, 2014

Nanaimo COW Meeting March 3, 2014


Committee of the Whole Meeting
Monday, Mar. 3 , 2014
4:30 PM Shaw Auditorium
Vancouver Island Conference Centre


  • Linley Valley Drive Extension Project, presentation by Mr. Tom Hickey
  • Other Grant recommended for D.A.R.E. $2500 and $1501.47 to Nanaimo Volunteer & Information Centre Society to cover rental at Beban Park Auditorium.
  • Approval of temporary art project which sees the artist receive a $4000 honorarium
  • Broombusters director to ask council for continued support of the removal of Scotch Broom by volunteers in the City of Nanaimo. Will be asking council to consider stronger bylaws requiring property owners to take responsibility for the spread of all invasive plants.

    Democracy Is Too Important To Leave To The Politicians
    Do Your Civic Duty By Getting Informed and Getting Involved

    If you say: " I'm too busy just trying to keep it together to get involved, consider that perhaps, if you were more involved you might not be having so much trouble keeping it together "!

    You can view this week's Council Meeting Agenda here - - -  Agenda .


     Some Council Decisions You Might Want To Think About

    The city just agreed to pay an outside firm nearly $25,000 to review the city website's content and set up a navigation structure. Our IT head gets paid about $150,000 a year and IT staff are paid at least $37.00/hr. and yet they can't properly set up the city website?

    The city paid a consulting firm $75,000 for the purpose of reviewing and developing governance-related policy, structures and processes. (In other words to tell the city manager and mayor how to do their jobs). A recommendation that came out of this report was the hiring of Alison Habkirk (an associate of Jerry Berry) at a cost of $8500, again to tell city management and council how to do their jobs.

     
     Council decided to spend $120,000 to install a public toilet at Diana Krall Plaza.

    Council decided to spend at least $200,000 on the old theatre on Victoria Rd. when a $20,000 solution would have done, until it is decided what is to be done with the building long term. Two engineers have raised questions about the seismic standard of the building, but staff seem content to ignore the concern.  

    By deciding to bring downtown parking enforcement 'in-house' which was supposed to save tax dollars, we are now going to lose $140,000 in the first year.

    We are paying over $60,000/yr. for downtown parking attendants (meter maids).

    We gave a $300,000 tax exemption to the bar operating in the old train station. This exemption was originally thought to apply to the area of the train station used as a train station and not the area operating as a pub.   

    Council decided to spend $170,000 on an electric Zamboni, when a propane fueled one costs $80,000 and does the same job.

    Council decided to spend thousands of dollars to implement a policy of banning the sale of bottled water at civic facilities.

    Council decided to add another $700,000 to the $844,000,000 financial plan to pay for a communications person (spin doctor), do you think that is a good use of YOUR tax dollar??

    Two years ago they decided to spend $16,000,000.00 on a new staff office, an amount equal to YOUR tax increase for 5 years! 





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    Westwood Lake Park Trails Closed

    (Nanaimo BC, 2014-FEB-27) - The City of Nanaimo’s Westwood Lake Trail is closed until further notice while crews work to remove broken limbs and leaning trees as a result of the recent snowstorm.  These conditions could be dangerous to users of the trail, so for safety reasons, the trail will be closed.  Other than the trail portion of the park, Westwood Lake remains open.

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    Graduating Teachers For No Jobs In B.C.


    Note: Email Subscribers may have to visit Nanaimo Info Blog to view video



    Three out of four teachers will never get a full time job in their profession.


    Are we training too many teachers



    BCTF as a social justice union

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    Thursday, February 27, 2014

    Nanaimo Medical Marijuana Grower Job Openings


    If you are interested in one of the sixty jobs that will be available at the new medical marijuana grower at Duke Point you are invited to pre-register on their website.

    The company will alert all those who pre-register when they have received their license so you can finalize your application.



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    Norovirus Outbreak NRGH & Dufferin Place

    Family and friends asked not to visit during outbreak

    Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols are being used at NRGH to control a norovirus outbreak on the fourth floor of NRGH and a suspected outbreak at Dufferin Place.

    While no visitor restrictions are being imposed, family and friends are being asked to refrain from visiting during the outbreak. If you have to visit, you should report to the nurses station for instructions on mask use and other precautions.

    Symptoms of this nasty bug include nausea, chills, fever, cramping, vomiting and diarrhea and usually lasts one or two days. If you are experiencing these symptoms it is best to stay home to avoid spreading the virus.



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    Nanaimo 2014 Cultural Award Celebration


     2014 cultural awards
    2014 Nanaimo Cultural Awards Celebration

    On Wednesday March 12, 2014, the City of Nanaimo will honour four outstanding recipients in the cultural and creative fields at the City's annual Cultural Awards Celebration. Performances will include a family tribute to Ken Gogo, the Wellington Jazz Band, Snuneymuxw First Nation blessing, Nanaimo's Poet Laureate Naomi Wakan, and Crimson Coast Dance. The public is welcome to attend this event, but must reserve tickets (free) by contacting the Port Theatre Box Office (250-754-8550 / www.porttheatre.com).

    The City's Cultural Committee selected this year's honourees based on each individuals significant contributions to Nanaimo's cultural vitality. Candidates were identified through a community nomination process. Two new award categories were created this year; Emerging Cultural Leader and Lifetime Cultural Achievement.


    ---- Shayd Johnson ---- will receive the city's first Emerging Cultural Leader Award for his continuing efforts and devotion to the creative industry and the cultural community. He spearheaded and co-founded the Green Light Project to create awareness for low barrier housing. He is a strong community advocate for technology and art initiatives and provides employment opportunities for graduates of VIU.


    ---- Kenneth Gogo ---- will receive the inaugural Lifetime Cultural Achievement Award. Mr. Gogo is well known for his contributions to Nanaimo's arts and entertainment scene. He devoted a lifetime of talent and support to the cultural community and his legacy lives o through the Gogo family name.


    ---- Ian Niamath ---- will receive The Honour In Culture Award for his many years of volunteer service and support for the arts and cultural sector including the Nanaimo Art Gallery, The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival and for his design / architectural work on many of Nanaimo’s building projects- most notably Nanaimo’s waterfront and renowned Harbourfront walkway.


    ---- Pat Coleman ---- will receive the Excellence in Culture Award. Mr. Coleman is one of Canada’s greatest jazz musicians and music educators. He is a world class performer, producer and writer who has brought some of the finest musicians from places such as New York and Toronto to perform with him and deliver clinics to local musicians and students.



    TO RESERVE TICKETS (FREE):

    Please contact the Port Theatre Box Office at 250-754-8550 / www.porttheatre.com.

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    CFIB Business Barometer Feb. 2014


    BC small business optimism highest in Canada

    Vancouver, 27 February 2014 – For the third straight month, small business optimism in British Columbia ranked the highest in Canada. February’s Business Barometer® index edged down marginally to 71.4, but remains among the best BC has posted in the past two and a half years. Hiring plans remain fairly positive as well, with 23 per cent of owners planning to add --and only 5 per cent expecting to shed-- full-time staff in the next few months.

    “The past three months have seen BC solidify its position as the high-water mark for small business optimism across Canada,” said CFIB BC policy analyst Kimball Kastelen. “It now seems clear that the surge in confidence first observed last summer has developed into a sustained shift in outlook for BC’s entrepreneurs.”

    Across Canada, the Business Barometer® index rose by 0.4 points to 64.4 this month, expanding on its 1.7 point gain in January. In fact, the index now runs about half a point better than its 2013 average.

    “This is a sign that small businesses see the glass as more than half full for February,” said Ted Mallett, CFIB’s vice-president and chief economist. “And, the reading’s in line with last month’s trend, where we already saw optimism levels rebounding.” Notably, the rapid downshift in the value of the Canadian dollar in late January has shown up in business pricing plans. After averaging 1.4 per cent through 2013, expected annual price increases surged to 2.1 per cent in February as importers scrambled to adjust to the new currency level.

    Measured on a scale between 0 and 100, an index level above 50 means owners expecting their business’ performance to be stronger in the next year outnumber those expecting weaker performance. An index level of between 65 and 70 means the economy is growing at its potential.

    February 2014 findings are based on 1156 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 2.9 per cent 19 times in 20.

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    Wednesday, February 26, 2014

    Hudson Mack Resigns From CTV News


     Mack Resigns From 
    CTV Vancouver Island

    According to Broadcaster magazine, veteran news director and senior news anchor, Hudson Mack has resigned from his role after 10 years with CTV Vancouver Island.

    CTV Vancouver Island anchor/reporter Andrew Johnson will lead the newscast until a permanent replacement is named.

    Hudson Mack has been covering Vancouver Island since  coming to Victoria in 1985. Prior to joining CTV he was senior anchor and assistant news director at CHEK TV.

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    Are Nanaimo Officials Causing Needless Worry?


    The above screen grab is taken from a front page story of the local Daily which would lead many readers to think we were on the brink of some dire emergency. The following quotes are attributed to city water expert Bill Sims.

    "Over the course of the rainfall Friday night and Saturday morning, the water was more than 40 centimetres deep and remained at that level for about 12 hours, Sims said."

    " Given the risks we were aware of, we were probably four or five hours away from activating our emergency response plan," Sims said.

     Was The Situation Really All That Dangerous?

    The following is a picture taken by CDPPS members and graphics have been added to show what levels of water were in the ponds that day, compared with the levels required to trigger more emergency response and the distance before the water would 'over top' the dams.


    Is the city being overly cautious or simply raising needless concern and worry on the part of residents living near the park? Look closely at those levels on the photo and clearly it would take a massive amount of water to come anywhere close to the 34 year historic high of 90 cm.

    Why would Mr. Sims be worried because the water came up to 40cm and remained there for 12 hours? You have to wonder just what calculations and common sense have been used to establish the emergency plan set in place to deal with this political 'hot potato'.

    Is the city really doing the public a service, or a serious disservice by raising the level of angst and concern they are creating with their arguably 'over the top' safety program. There are 80 flood warning signs in the neighbourhood which is likely more signs than you would find along the whole west coast in the tsunami zone.

    The concern expressed by Mr. Sims in the January Daily News story makes you wonder if that is the demonstrated rational, cool headed person you want in charge of emergency measures.

    I am reminded of a favourite H.L. Mencken quote: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary".

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    Pink Shirt Day in Diana Krall Plaza



    It is time for our Downtown to band together to show our support against bullying! Please join us in Diana Krall Plaza on Wednesday, February 26th at 12 pm dressed in your Pink Shirt (or any pink attire!) for a photo and to show your solidarity against bullying.

    What is Pink Shirt Day? Pink Shirt Day is an anti-bullying initiative to bring awareness to bullying and to stand against it. It started in 2007 when two Nova Scotia students decided to take action after witnessing a younger student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. The students bought 50 pink t-shirts and encouraged schoolmates to wear them to send a powerful message of solidarity to the bully.

    Understand What Bullying Is…
    Bullying is cruelty and always contains these three elements:
    1. It is an aggressive act that is usually repeated;
    2. The bully has more power (strength, status, size) than the victim who cannot hold his own; and
    3. The hurtful behavior is not an accident, but intentional. The bully usually seems to enjoy seeing the victim in distress.

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    Nanaimo Spring and Summer 2014 Activity Guide



    Spring and Summer Activity Guide
    To view online guide click on image

    After months of planning and organizing, the Spring and Summer Activity Guide is available on Saturday, March 1.  Program registration starts on Wednesday March 5, 2014. Pick up your copy at our recreation centres, local grocery stores, malls, Vancouver Island Regional Libraries and City Hall. It is full of programs and special event information that will keep the entire family busy for the next several months.

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    Create Jobs With Green Economy

    How to create more local jobs 
    with a green economy

    Nanaimo –The unemployment rate is up and the number of good paying jobs is down. Many younger families are leaving our community for employment in Alberta, harming our economy, closing schools and more.

    headshot-JonathanKassian.jpg“This picture can be changed,” says Ian Gartshore, the chairperson of the non-profit Energy Solutions for Vancouver Island. “We could have full employment right here in the mid-island, and a better natural environment, if we shifted our priorities away from fossil fuels and toward green jobs.”

    To make this point ESVI is hosting an event on Sunday that will lay out how such a plan could turn the employment situation around.

    The plan will focus on how renewable energy, energy efficiency, better public transit and better forestry practises can generate greater economic benefit to local communities.

    The presenter, Jonathan Kassian, is from the Vancouver-based GreenJobs BC. He has previously worked as Economist & Research Manager for the Vancouver Economic Development Commission, where he developed strategies to enhance prosperity and sustainability in Vancouver, and led research on the green economy, creative industries, and economic sectors.

    This free public event will be held on Sunday, March 2nd at 1:30 p.m. at the Brechin church hall: 1998 Estevan Road, Nanaimo. For more information call 250-754-0698.


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    Tuesday, February 25, 2014

    What's Happening In Local Waters?


    This article reports a star-wasting disease that decimated the population of sunflower stars in the Vancouver are in a matter of weeks which was recently uncovered in Nanaimo.



    This article of today reports the die off of a massive number of commercially raised scallops grown by a Qualicum company.

    Coincidence or????

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    Bitcoin Exchange Vanishes


    The Financial Post is reporting the apparent evaporation of a large Bitcoin exchange where more than 744,000 bitcoins were 'missing'.

    Those familiar with virtual transactions may remember a number of years ago when folk thought they had accrued great virtual profits in the auto surfing business, only to find out their accounts were suddenly worthless and these sites closed. Sound familiar?

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    Nanaimo Really Doesn't 'DO' Snow

    City Crews and City Residents Can't Handle Snow...

    Snow is something we in Nanaimo brag about not getting, commonly saying of the rain 'well at least you don't have to shovel it'. Turns out not shoveling it, also applies to snow in Nanaimo.

    Have any doubts? Just try using the sidewalks to get around on, if you are fortunate enough to live on a street that actually has sidewalks (a modern city convenience yet to find my 80 year old street).

    As for plowing the roads, well, on Sunday it seems for the first half of the day everyone was recouping from Canada hockey team jubilation and even the main roads didn't see a blade until at least noon, if then. As for side streets, some have been so poorly done, they might have been better left untouched. At least if left untouched you would have the whole road to navigate on, rather than a single lane down the middle.

    No sir, we can usually laugh at the rest of Canada as they deal with winter, but the rest of Canada can have a good laugh on us, if they see how we DON'T deal with the white stuff.

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    Ratepayers Association Wants Your Input


    Taxes and Transparency at Nanaimo City Hall
    In Nanaimo the old axiom ‘death and taxes’ should be ‘ever-increasing taxes and council secrecy’.

    While Mayor Ruttan and his councils have paid lip-service to holding the line on taxes and openness and transparency, the record does not support that claim.

    Recent efforts to properly direct staff to make in-camera minutes public are simply a joke. A glaring example is not knowing which councillors supported the $16 million new staff office. Neither do we know advice to councillors preceding the yearlong Colliery Dam saga.

    Can voters make an informed vote without knowing how councillors vote on contentious matters? In-camera proceedings have their place, once the need for secrecy has passed; they need to be made public. Does council fear public scrutiny?

    Ever-increasing taxes are as much a given with Mayor Ruttan’s council as ever-increasing wages and benefits at city hall. In 2008 the total wages being paid to employees earning more than $75,000/yr. was $10,886,263.00 by 2012 that total has increased to $18,728,112.00/yr. This does not include benefits such as pension contributions paid by the Nanaimo taxpayer. The total for 2013 is not yet available but will likely be in the $20,000,000.00 range.

    In years past we would have seen a draft budget in January and until its adoption in May to review. This year we will not see the budget until April. This in-depth review process seems questionable in the last year of a council’s term and would likely make more sense in the first year of a council’s term.

    The only thing we know with certainty is that city taxes will increase by at least 4.2% this year, water rates increase 7.5%, sewer increases 5% and garbage increases 2.2%. It should be noted this does not include increases for the RDN, School District or NRGH. 

    City Council seems of the opinion that these ever-increasing taxes and fees are both sustainable and affordable. The Nanaimo Ratepayers Association has an online survey we invite you to fill out, so we may find out if the Nanaimo taxpayer agrees.

    You can fill out the Nanaimo Ratepayers survey HERE.

    Residents wanting more information about the Nanaimo Ratepayers Association can email ratepayers@yahoo.ca.

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    Nanaimo Weather Improving

    Hope the weatherman has it right this time!


    Warm temperatures and blue skies coming....


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    Monday, February 24, 2014

    Nanaimo - Snow Clearing & Garbage Pick up


    City crews continue to remove snow; main roads and emergency routes first priority

    The City of Nanaimo has deployed all vehicles available for ploughing to remove snow from main roads and emergency routes.

    Driving conditions in residential areas will remain poor throughout the day and likely tomorrow as crews focus efforts on clearing snow from main roads and emergency routes.  Once snow has been removed from main roads and emergency routes, crews will begin ploughing residential areas.

    Commuters should expect winter driving conditions on main roads into this afternoon.

    Garbage trucks are on pick-up service today and will make as many stops as possible, weather permitting.  Homes that do not receive pick-up today will have their garbage removed on their regular day next week. These households will not require tags next week to put out extra garbage or kitchen waste.


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    Nanaimo Snowfall Feb. 24, 2014

    This photo was taken on Bradley Street early this morning, this street is one of the ones usually well maintained as it is a route often used by emergency vehicles headed to the hospital.  Unlike many of Nanaimo's side streets this one has been taken care of, however this snowfall seems to have caught most unaware and the city is not doing a stellar job of street clearing. If you don't have to drive, take the advice of the RCMP and don't.

    Don't forget your feathered friends

    A snowfall like this makes normal food sources hard to get at for our little feathered friends, follows are a few who appreciate the feeders I maintain offering either husked sunflower seeds or suet blocks. And yes, the hummingbirds are still looking for their nectar as well. We currently have three who make our feeder their regular dining spot.





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    Snowfall Warning Issued - More on the way


    Note: I guess the weatherman looked out the window? :^)

    SNOWFALL WARNING 

     East Vancouver Island
    10:49 AM PST Monday 24 February 2014
    Snowfall warning for
    East Vancouver Island continued

    5 to 15 cm of snow is forecast for today.

    This is a warning that significant snowfall is occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.

    Another Pacific frontal system will move across the South Coast today and produce more snow over the region. Over East Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands a total of 10 to 15 cm of snow is expected today while over remaining regions 5 to 10 cm of accumulation is expected. Late this afternoon or early this evening milder Pacific air will invade and cause the snow to change over to rain in most areas. During the change over localized freezing rain is possible over the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.

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    Nanaimo Blasted By Snow Storm

    Monday is still going to be messy


    Nanaimo got walloped with one of those never-ending snow falls that just kept coming and coming and coming all day Sunday. Sidewalk clearing needed doing three times over the course of the day, and anyplace I went in my neighbourhood you would think Nanaimo didn't own a snowplough. Those who had to go out were faced with poor driving conditions and as anyone used to driving in 'normal' snow knows the wet packing snow we got is not great for driving in. It quickly packs to ice, and as we all know, getting traction on ice is impossible without chains or studs.

    By late afternoon the main roads in my area had been cleared but the side streets still were not touched.

    Getting around Monday will likely be doable but slowing down and using caution and common sense will be the order of the day as winter driving conditions will persist for most of the day.

    This is a non-instructional day in school district #68 so I presume parents have already made plans that don't involve school today, so the kids can grab their sleds and head for the slopes of Bowen Park and any other hill they can find.

    Returning to normal for the rest of the week


    In typical Nanaimo winter-weather fashion, old man winter shows up for a day or two, just to make a mess and remind us what the rest of Canada has to endure, and then takes off for points east, leaving us once again to bask in well above freezing temperatures.

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    Sunday, February 23, 2014

    Canada OWNS Hockey kinda' un-Canadian to boast

    But that is back to back GOLDS................


    Quite fitting for the country that gave us IKEA...........  :^)

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    Snowfall Warning Vancouver Island

    Issued at 4:39 AM PST Sun. Feb. 23, 2014

    Wet snow continues to fall over most of Southern Vancouver Island this morning. Over higher terrrain such as the Malahat accumulations of 15 cm were reported overnight.

    The front is expected to produce another 10cm at higher elevations and an additional 5 cm near sea level.

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    Nanaimo Harbour Dock Removal Underway



    Saltair Marine Services are busy in the harbour removing pilings from the dock that was closed last summer due to safety concerns.

    The removal work has to be done during certain times approved they the Department of Fisheries so as to avoid impact on the fishery.

    The above photos were sent along by blog reader Robin Bodnaruk.

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    Saturday, February 22, 2014

    Things on the net that make ya' smile

    re-CYCLE ........                get it............ re-CYCLE.........

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    Lions FREE Skate February 23, 2014



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    B.C.'s LNG Future Threatened?

    LNG Delays

    A Globe and Mail article raises the serious specter that delays may be putting the LNG fortunes of British Columbia in jeopardy in spite of claims from the government it will be the fiscal saviour of the province.

    For all of the election hype about British Columbia's future being secured by our LNG fortunes, there still is nothing in place that can result in investors putting real money into any of these projects. Until the province finalizes the tax structure surrounding LNG, nothing can be put in motion.

    In addition to the government ducks not being in a row yet, there are also serious questions as to whether or not the LNG plants could be constructed due to our acute skilled labour shortage.

    It is far from the time to be worrying about the sky falling, but this article does raise some serious questions as to whether our LNG fortunes are in fact a slam dunk.

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    Just an idle thought from an idle mind

    or should that read addled??

    When my thinker was thinking one day about taxation and affordable and such I wondered if there aren't for the most part four types of people in Nanaimo:

    1. Those making sufficiently comfortable wages (perhaps in the public sector) that another 25% increase in taxes, doesn't really matter anyway. Don't like it but can afford it.

    2. Those that are already juggling their credit card payments and have a fit if the car starts to do something funny. An extra $100 a year just threw another ball into their juggling act.

    3. Pensioners on fixed incomes who are already counting pennies and clipping coupons whose income has not kept pace with their tax increase which has been driven by inflated property values, which in reality has done nothing for their financial well being.

    4. People who are surviving solely as a result of government largesse for whatever reason. These folk already aren't getting by without a visit to the foodbank, or a stop at the 7 - 10 club now.

    Now, for the $200,000,000.00 question....... are there enough people in the first category to keep feeding the insatiable taxes and fees monster living at city hall? If so, how do you rearrange taxes so they are picking up the tab instead of the other three types?

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    Pre Padddy Day Pub Crawl



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    Friday, February 21, 2014

    Junkyard Planet - Recycling Reality


    Note: email subscribers may have to visit Nanaimo Info Blog to view video


    Want to know where all those recyclables go we wash, sort, put out at the curb doing out bit to save the planet? You might be in for a surprise. You might also be surprised at how much of our 'diverted' waste is an over inflated number.

    When we 'divert' some of our waste, what it really means is that we divert it from our garbage dump and send it to some third world country's dump after they pick through our crap under working conditions we would never tolerate.

    They then use as little as 10% 'recycled' plastic in new products they make and sell back to us, The reason for the 10% 'recycled'? So, we can feel good about buying a 'green' product. Some of this recycled product label, is just a clever marketing ploy to make us westerners feel good about our purchases.

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    Nanaimo City Council Meeting Feb. 24, 2014


     
    City Council Meeting
    Monday February 24, 2014
    7:00 PM Shaw Auditorium
    Vancouver Island Conference Centre

    • Water Supply to Lantzville, approve water supply agreement to Lantzville
    • Proposed Telus Tower at 4700 Hammond Bay Rd.
    • Colliery Dams Engineering Consultant Expenditures
    • Green Lake Sanitary Sewer Connection Options

        Democracy Is Too Important To Leave To The Politicians
        Do Your Civic Duty By Getting Informed and Getting Involved

        If you say: " I'm too busy just trying to keep it together to get involved, consider that perhaps, if you were more involved you might not be having so much trouble keeping it together "!

        You can view this Council Meeting Agenda here - - -  Agenda .


         Some Council Decisions You Might Want To Think About

        The city just agreed to pay an outside firm nearly $25,000 to review the city website's content and set up a navigation structure. Our IT head gets paid about $150,000 a year and IT staff are paid at least $37.00/hr. and yet they can't properly set up the city website?

        The city paid a consulting firm $75,000 for the purpose of reviewing and developing governance-related policy, structures and processes. (In other words to tell the city manager and mayor how to do their jobs). A recommendation that came out of this report was the hiring of Alison Habkirk (an associate of Jerry Berry) at a cost of $8500, again to tell city management and council how to do their jobs.
         
        Council decided to spend $120,000 to install a public toilet at Diana Krall Plaza.

        Council decided to spend at least $200,000 on the old theatre on Victoria Rd. when a $20,000 solution would have done, until it is decided what is to be done with the building long term. Two engineers have raised questions about the seismic standard of the building, but staff seem content to ignore the concern.  

        By deciding to bring downtown parking enforcement 'in-house' which was supposed to save tax dollars, we are now going to lose $140,000 in the first year.

        We are paying over $60,000/yr. for downtown parking attendants (meter maids).

        We gave a $300,000 tax exemption to the bar operating in the old train station. This exemption was originally thought to apply to the area of the train station used as a train station and not the area operating as a pub.   

        Council decided to spend $170,000 on an electric Zamboni, when a propane fueled one costs $80,000 and does the same job.

        Council decided to spend thousands of dollars to implement a policy of banning the sale of bottled water at civic facilities.

        Council decided to add another $700,000 to the $844,000,000 financial plan to pay for a communications person (spin doctor), do you think that is a good use of YOUR tax dollar??

        Two years ago they decided to spend $16,000,000.00 on a new staff office, an amount equal to YOUR tax increase for 5 years! 





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        Listen Up Nanaimo - Drugs Are Killing Your Kids

        FREE EVENT EVERYONE WELCOME
        Wednesday Feb. 26, 7:00 PM
        Port Theatre - No Tickets Needed

        Panel Discussion with a Q & A
        Coordinated by the Compassionate Friends of Nanaimo
        Supporting Family When A Child Dies



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        Thursday, February 20, 2014

        Action Plan 2014 Means Less Red Tape


        Economic Action Plan 2014 Means Less Red Tape for Business

        "Our government is keenly aware that small businesses are fundamental to strong economies, job creation, community confidence, and supporting local economic activities. We continue to consult with small business owners who have provided valuable insight into how we can help them grow their businesses through improvements to our services. Their feedback has allowed us to implement significant measures to reduce red tape, increase employment and support our local business communities."


        The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, accompanied by James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, British Columbia, today met with members of the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce to promote new measures introduced in Economic Action Plan 2014. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has introduced a number of measures to reduce the red tape burden on small businesses. Minister Findlay highlighted several new service enhancements for businesses that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will implement over the next year:
        • In April 2014, the CRA's electronic filing services will be expanded to allow businesses to file amended T2 Corporate income tax returns online and representatives for businesses will be able to submit an electronic authorization request to the CRA instead of filing paper forms. 
        • In October 2014, businesses will be able to update their banking and direct deposit information online, and the first free online option for paying taxes will be available for business owners registered with My Business Account. A detailed payment history for all of their accounts will also be available in one secure and convenient place. 
        • The Government is revising remittance thresholds for employer source deductions to reduce the maximum number of payments that businesses are required to prepare and submit to the CRA. 
        • Economic Action Plan 2014 will simplify tax rules for the lifetime capital gains exemption when certain individuals operate both farming and fishing businesses to allow for more consistent treatment. 
        • The CRA will continue to build partnerships with the small business community as well as provincial and municipal governments on initiatives such as the CRA's Business Number, the recently announced Liaison Officer Initiative (LOI) pilot project and the proposed Registration of Tax Preparers Program (RTPP).

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        Queen of Oak Bay Returning To Horsehoe Bay

        Note: This Service Notice applies to the following route(s):
        - Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

        Update as of 7:23 am:

        Please be advised that the Queen of Oak Bay is currently returning to dock in Horseshoe Bay due to a medical emergency involving police.

        Customers with reservations are advised to check in at the terminals in accordance with the scheduled sailing times in order to maintain their reserved status.

        For traffic updates or more information please call us toll free at 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779), check our website at www.bcferries.com or go to mobile.bcferries.com on your mobile device.

        allvoices

        Nanaimo Councilor George Anderson - Prepared??

        Claims 'Age Discrimination' at City Hall?
        What exactly does that mean???

        The above screen grab from an article in the Nanaimo Bulletin reminded me of a certain youthful politician clad in body hugging wetsuit, jet skiing up onto the beach in Pentiction. Councilor George Anderson does seem skilled in 'getting some ink' at the Nanaimo News Bulletin and kudos to his pr team for keeping their guy front and centre in an election year.

        In the article this photo came from, Councilor George Anderson was complaining about something he called 'age discrimination' at city hall. In the article Anderson commented that the mayor had questioned his ability to balance school, civic and regional affairs simultaneously when he didn't have the training. He points to this to support his claim of age discrimination and says the same comments would not be made of an older councilor.

        I am not sure what age would have to do with it at all, but it certainly seems that juggling his school with his civic duties is proving a challenge which other councilors are not facing. Attending the Special Committee of the Whole budget review meetings city staff have been putting on every Wednesday morning for the past several months seems to be something he is unable to accommodate. I doubt if Councilor George Anderson has attended two full meetings since these in-depth, two hour meetings have been put on, which are designed to give Councillors a much deeper understanding of the fiscal affairs of the city in relation to services being provided. It would be hoped this will result in councilors with enough personal understanding of the city's finances and not having to simply rely on staff for their 'opinion'.

        $30,000 - 'Is Not A Lot of Money'

        You may recall when council decided to blow off $200,000 on the derelict old theatre on Victoria Rd. the engineer was recommending increasing the budget by $30,000 to cover contingencies (a practice only tax dollar spenders would approve) during the debate on the matter Councilor Anderson said he did not feel $30,000 was a lot of money. Perhaps if he attended the budget review meetings he may have a different opinion, or perhaps he really doesn't have trouble spending 'only' $30,000.

        Backdoor tactic an affront to democracy

        Whether you support the WTE proposal at Duke Point or not, the method by which Anderson tried to do an end run around taxpayers who want some facts before slamming the door is far from admirable. Age has nothing to do with that opinion. You may recall Anderson tried unsuccessfully to get council to send a letter to Vancouver saying we weren't interested in a WTE plant at Duke Point. I take no issue with his opinion or trying to get council to support his motion, however I do take great exception with the underhanded way in which he tried sliding it by the rest of us.

        The nature of his motion was not published on the Council agenda, which is made public the Thursday before a Monday night meeting. Neither was the nature of his motion even published on the amended agendas that are not released online and only available at the night of the meeting. It would appear that a very deliberate attempt was made to completely blindside anyone who opposed his motion. The part of this little saga which puts it over the top, is the fact that the gallery was loaded with people who supported his motion, who clearly knew what he intended to do. Age discrimination has nothing to do with bristling at such sleazy political attempts to deny the opposition a fair voice. If that is the younger, progressive approach to democracy, it stinks just as badly as the way the old boys club gets things done.

        Wants To Spend $175,000 On More Buses

        Again, Mr. Anderson managed to grab some front page ink at the Bulletin, recently with his claimed attempt to increase money going to bus transportation by $175,000. The article left a few questions hanging, I asked Mr. Anderson to clarify, which he has chosen to ignore.

        It turns out, that perhaps after grabbing the headlines, he realized his motion was a non-starter as he withdrew it at the RDN meeting. A few things that didn't add up for me was the fact he seemed to be saying that $175,000 would fund 5,000 bus hours. He also said the funds would come from the RDN and BC Transit. However, in the same article he points to the fact that "$175,000 is not even close to one per cent in taxes", a comment that left me scratching my head. Is this another example of $175,000 isn't a lot of money because it is no where near a 1% tax increase?

        Mr. Anderson doesn't seem to realize that when you add up a bunch of increases that 'are not even close to 'one per cent in taxes', pretty soon you have a one per cent tax increase. Perhaps attending the two hour budget review meetings would give Councilor George Anderson a better appreciation of things fiscal.

        Age discrimination? Hardly. A cavalier approach to spending your tax dollars, and an apparent disregard for democracy, combined with poorly thought out motions, are all questionable qualities that have absolutely nothing to do with age. Sadly, on the current city council Anderson has company.

        allvoices

        Nanaimo Heritage Summit - 'Heritage Afloat'


        Parker Williams
         
        Courtesy BC Archives
        The theme of the Heritage Summit was 'Heritage Afloat' and Mr. Parker Williams gave an informative and entertaining historical account from the pages of Nanaimo's nautical history and some of the early ships and shipwrecks that make up that piece of Nanaimo's tapestry.

        From the earliest Spanish sailing ships to the four masted Colliery ships to the steam driven tugs and finally the steamships that played a vital role in opening up and developing this lovely piece of paradise we call home.

        Mr. Williams chronicled some of the colorful past of ships that sailed from these ports including a certain famous/infamous vessel laden with 12,000 cases of rum bound for the US during the days of prohibition. He also explained how some of the rocks along our coast got their name, one particularly well known one; Thrasher Rock which was named for the hapless soul that first found it with most unpleasant consequence.

        A particularly nasty accident occured when a steamship laden with dynamite had a fire break out in the engine room, forcing the engineer to leave the engine still under full and building steam. The captain managed to run the ship onto the shore of Protection Island where the crew made great haste to warn the miners at Gallows Point of the impending explosion. When it finally happened it completely obliterated the vessel and to this day there is not so much as a piece of scrap from the unlucky vessel.

        I met with Mr. Parker at the end of the evening and encouraged him to put his research into  a book form, either hard copy or digital as he is a wealth of knowledge about the ships and shipwrecks, most of which have long been forgotten. But that is the way of Heritage, isn't it?

        Roundtable Discussion By Various Heritage Groups In Nanaimo

        After Mr. Williams presentation about ships, the folk in attendance participated in a roundtable discussion with a wide variety of people with a heritage focus giving a brief update on their groups goals and activities. There were about 50 people in attendance who were treated to coffee and of course Nanaimo bars during the evening.

        The evening was hosted and emceed by Chris Sholberg of the Cultural and Heritage Department assisted by his able assistant Rebecca Tubbs.

        Roundtable discussion following Ships & Shipwrecks presentation


        allvoices