Well put S.I.G

I was trying to come up with a photo cut line of the 'how many politicos it takes to change a light bulb' style.

I think the folks on the far right are discussing the problem of finding a decent lunch spot in the area.

The homeless are likely watching from afar behind a phalanx of rent-a-cops.

You think?

I don't think you could even move BS with that shovel!

I agree wholeheartedly with

I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments of SIG and G West. What also struck me was the sign. Can't politicians be altruistic and just do something without patting themselves on the back and expecting kudos (when in fact they probably did nothing anyway)? Next time, save the money on the sign and take some homeless to lunch instead.

But....but....

The only problem with the above is that I feel like Peter Dueck somehow got slagged in the mix. I can't say enough good about him, just like Lorne Epp, Gerry Sportack and Helmut Lemke, to name a few of who got invoved in the 1970s when homelessness was no smaller a problem than it was today. These guys have volunteered for almost more years than I've been alive to make the world a better place (well, maybe Lorne got a salary, but it was a miserable one, because that's all the society could afford.) The roots may have been different, but there were still dozens, nay hundreds who had no place to sleep.

Unfortunately, charitable societies like this one, or like the ones I work on, have no choice but to involve the politicians in their projects. City staff are invariably involved, who have their marching orders to make the Pols look good by bringing to their attention for credit any project that looks like it might have some smarts, money or land behind it.

The truth is Sullivan's been an abysmal failure as a mayor. He's taken on all the easy causes - like Falun Gong and Insite - and ignored all the hard ones - like homelessness - as much because he has as little support on council as he has personal magentism and charm. He's all style and little substance.

Wherever we go, there are poils and swivel servants horning in on the glory for bringing some zoning or some public dollars to the table. The societies who had the foresight to assemble land, operate buildings, create stabel communities and provide working opportunities for those they're trying to help put up with this because there's no alternative.

Yes, when we rebuild our project for low-income singels and families in South Vancouver in the next few years, there'll be a swarm of media, cops and pols there. And it won't be because I invited them. They'll be paid to be there. I'll be there for the love of my fellow man, on my own dime.

By the way..

Anybody want to join a society and help better conditions for your fellow human beings? We still need someone more experienced than we at fundraising. Must be able to deal well with media, wealthy, politicians and yet must have a heart for the poor. Must be willing to do it for free, or, at best, some expenses, and it helps if you're Mennonite.

Store up your treasure in heaven, where rust and moths won't get it!

you're right, Sam.

Peter Dueck did appear like that coat and tie were thrown on to deal with the business of getting the photo op taken care of for the others. His hand is carefully placed on the shovel in a way that looks to offer guidance - if needed. He doesn't seem to need to control the situation - just monitor it.

correction to above.

your're right [Zalm]. Gosh, I have a hard time punching in those four letters (that happen to be part of another politician I find rather distasteful).

Visible Justice

In New York City, much of the public housing is 40 stories high. Where would we fit that in Vancouver? No problem. Vacant lots are aplenty, just East of the Main Street station, on the False Creek flats. Residential zoning would end the big-box character of the area, which has giant carpet stores and a Home Depot. Building height wouldn't be an issue because housing projects - mostly for the elderly, handicapped, native, immigrant, etc - would be functional rather than designed for personal living.

Lest We Forget

One of the first acts by Mayor Sullivan was to cut back on the number of low income units in the southeast False Creek development. Gosh this might hurt the Property Endowment Fund because this threatens his definition of "sustainability"

Shovel Indeed mayor Sam

And bury the taxpayers of Vancouver under your spending. An 8% property tax increase in the new budget. I laugh at the waste of taxpayers money in Vancouver, while left wing fools want even more waste. This tax increase will just get passed on by landlords to renters (yes, the truth hurts) making Vancouver even more expensive.

Now I read today the city is buying a piece of land at Broadway and Fraser for even more social housing. Should taxpayers money go into buying real estate in an overheated market??? When so few middle class can even afford to buy a house???

And by the way, I have to gloat. West Vancouver will have...get this...0% tax increase. We have something Vancouver does not have...GOOD GOVERNANCE and respect for taxpayers.

good governance?

West Van has nothing but disrespect for its own. It spends nothing on community resources such as elders housing, culture and arts, sports facilities or social services. It exports all these "problems" to other communities, most notably North Vancouver and downtown.

I still recall hearing the debate over the aquatic centre after the old unheated concrete tank that was Ambleside pool was closed down in the 80's. Right after Lanskail opened the debate, a female councillor whose name I can't recall said "Why should we have a swimming pool? Let all the people who want that go to North Van!"

And North Van, with twice the population, had 7 community pools, while West Van, even then, the second or third-richest postal code in the country, had exactly none.

One pool. One aged ice rink. Two all-weather fields. One so-called culture centre (Kay Meek) that's used more for alternative education than anything else, and won't run without volunteers to do things that paid staff do in other venues. And 84 seniors housing units in a population that's having to move entirely out of West Van when they get too ill to stay in their own houses, and can't find an apartment to rent or nursing services to care for them.

When's the last time you volunteered at a cultural event at the Meek, flattax?

Yeah, West Van's got a lot to be proud of, all right - the the greatest ratio of ignorance per dollar of salary and bonuses of any community in Canada. Quite the accomplishment.

Hell, even Tor Bay in Newfoundland offers more community, athletic and cultural venues for its kids than West Van does. Embarrassing.

frugality

zalm,

I read what you write and agree, in fact, it makes me happy and proud to live here. However, I would rather live in a frugal municipality that is smart enought to externalize its recreation on others, than live in the municipality that is stupid enough to build facilities for other municipalities. Would you not agree?

Yes good governance, frugality and the offloading of spending to others. I'll take it any day over the mess that is the city of vancouver.

Anything to keep my taxes low.