City Council Meeting 10 June 2013
Lot's of pomp and circumstance but was there anything done?
First, while Council was in their back room, I was asked by a member of VOICES "Why are you attacking Rod Clark?" I responded "I put my blog post up and then he withdrew his statements so I'm not actively pursuing sanctions against him now."
Then I was asked what the "second reason not to vote for Rod Clark" comment was on my Facebook page. That comment was on the NSN article on Clark changing his vote and firmly stated principles on the secondary suites in duplexes issue. That issue was so fundamental to Clark's stated principles it earned him what I consider Strike Two. His first strike was accepting union donations to his campaign in 2008. He makes an issue about Mussatto taking developer and union donations and being in a conflict of interest. Again, the question of principles arise. In addition, his protege candidate Amanda Nichol, an city employee was a CUPE 386 (the city hall union) member funded by the city hall union. Probably she pursued this on Clark's advice. Amanda tweeted heavily that Mussatto and his Party were in a conflict of interest but when the money that would put her in the same conflict was offered to her, she took it - conflict be damned.
Hypocrite or a lack of principles? No difference to me unlike others who will still vote Clark. I have to believe a candidate's promises to vote for him or her. I did say that I would still vote for Pam Bookham and was told "but she is not running." Sad news indeed but until nominations are closed it may not happen.
The third strike was his statements. 3 strikes and you lost my vote. Amanda never had it, I saw the growth junkie inner Mussatto in her.
It's a moot point really, as obviously after forming a municipal party, Unite North Vancouver, I will be only voting for our candidates and pro-amalgamation candidates that are endorsed by the Board of Directors if they decide to. In about 15 months we will know if we will be running a Mayor candidate or not and if not if we will endorse a candidate. Unless Mussatto does a 180 on amalgamation, I feel pretty safe to predict we won't be endorsing him.
On to Council, Voices did a presentation on City Shaping stating it was a rigged game and asking four direct question (I will add when video is up) A motion was to tie the approval of the report to receiving answers to these questions was passed. But what usually happens is questions that are poised on the record on video are answered by email out of the light of public view. It should at least be included in the agenda so the answers are public.
The tale of Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Plan becomes a little clearer as Council annouced that "stakeholders" mostly non-North Van groups will be asked their opion of the Housing Action Plan by 28 June, even if you were not asked you should send Council your thoughts on this by the deadline. Check out the doc on the agenda, item 25.
A public hearing has been added to the discussion of dramatic changes to the bylaw that dictates restrictions to building size. Item 28's attachments show the details.
The issue of striking yet another committee, the Low Level Road and Port Area Community Liaison Committee came back. It morphed into a debate of having one expanded committee striking a temporary committee to monitor the Low Level Road expansion.
The project will be over in the spring of 2015 and the term of reference make it clear that any issues under Federal or Provincial jurisdiction are not in the committee's jurisdiction. So the only result of forming this extra committee would be a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
It's far better to amend the current committee to have a citizen chair and have a project oversight role added to its terms.
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