This isn’t a perfect calculation, but the best we can come up with, given the fact that they took away our polling station.. 
I know… I know…. shaddupaboutit..! Ok, so we compared the overall voting pattern with the polls at the Conference Centre and Georgia Ave School. The top 8 candidates for council are highlighted and rated for each area. Check this out.
SALMON MOMENT (def’n): to spend months swimming upstream, only to die in the end.
That’s how it felt this week when we discovered that after all this effort to drum up voting interest, the South End’s traditional polling station at Bayview School is gone. We were told it was due to low voter turnout in the last election, as well as a shortage of people to man the polling stations.
Alternative locations include Georgia Elementary School in south Harewood, or the Conference Centre downtown (free parking below the centre while you vote).
Here are a few direct links.
1. Voting Locations
click here to go to a city map with locations.
2. Times
For most locations, it’s 8AM to 8PM.
Click here for more details on where and when to vote.
3. Not sure if you can Vote? Or what you need to bring with you?
Click here for more details on who qualifies and the ID required to vote.
If you need a ride to the poll, please call us at 740.0120. We’ll arrange to get you out to vote or link you to a candidate who is offering rides in our neighbourhood.
Does the thought of checking off 8 boxes for council candidates fill you with dread? Did you know that you don’t have to select all 8? Or that voting for less may actually be a good thing?
An interesting take on voting, snitched from Gord Fuller’s blog:
This is the system we use in Nanaimo for Municipal elections and refers to the basis on which votes are counted in order to determine who is elected. A first-past-the-post system is one where ballots are not valid unless they have been marked by the voter to indicate the candidate(s) that the voter wishes to have elected. No more candidates can be indicated than the number of vacancies to be filled.
Often voters think that because there are eight positions for City Council they need to pick eight names from the list of candidates. This is not true and can ultimately cause those you want to see elected to lose (see Plumping).
Where there are multiple council positions, 8 in Nanaimo, to be filled, the votes on each ballot are counted as being of equal value to each other. Even though a voter might have a distinct order of preference among the candidates there is no mechanism for such preferences to be shown on the ballot.
Candidates are elected consecutively according to who receives the largest number of votes. There is no pre-determined percentage of the overall vote required to be gained before a candidate is elected so a candidate can be elected with a very much smaller percentage of the vote than under any other electoral system.
Plumping allows voters to vote for fewer than the number of candidates to be elected. It permits voters to concentrate their voting power on those they support, rather than being constrained to also vote for those they oppose. Rather than voting for all eight council positions a voter can chose to vote for simply one, two or more if they wish.
Prepared by Gordon Fuller – October 3rd, 2008
Will YOU be plumping this election?
Click on the link below to poll (and compare) your responses.
A comment sprang out of the All-Candidates meeting last week, that the media and existing council are (whether deliberately or not) describing the 3 empty seats available on council this election. Yes, there are 3 council members leaving. But in actual fact, there are 8 seats to be filled. Just because you’ve already got a seat doesn’t mean you get to keep it…that’s what elections are all about.
So let’s run a little poll. Given your ratings (if you’ve used our handy-dandy scoring form) or your gut feeling (if you haven’t), how many NEW councillors will be elected on November 15? Click on the link below to post and to see responses so far.
How many of the 8 positions on council will be taken by new candidates?
( polls)
Please feel free to share your comments or questions to candidates in the comment section below each posting!
Want to keep track of candidates responses? We’ve created a handy-dandy rating sheet. Click here for a copy you can print.
Candidates for Council
I’m all for a Multiplex. I’m not committed to any location. That has to be decided through proper study of potential locations throughout the city. I’m uncertain about the need for it, but I am certain that a Multiplex must be a private business venture funded by private interests. I am opposed to the City of Nanaimo providing any monies, land or services for a Multiplex project. ~Bill Forbes
It is not clear that a Multiplex is necessary in the present economic climate. If someone put forward a sound business plan the viability of which was confirmed by independent and professional auditors then this would merit attention. Such a report would have to consider not only the construction cost but the operating costs for this type of venture. It would also have to take into account whether the new facility would render recent similar expenditures redundant or otherwise uneconomical.
Any project which was approved would have to be designed so as to integrate with and enhance the surrounding neighbourhood and host location. ~Janet Cowling
I consider the wharf lands in the South End as Nanaimo’s “last urban frontier” and do not want to see a Multiplex there! That land is far too valuable for an operation which would sit empty most of the time, bring too many cars into the down-town core with all the negatives that come with it. That land should be used to create a healthy mix of low, middle and higher end housing, something which would benefit the maximum number of residents and help to revitalize in a responsible manner. Some, unfortunately, believe that a conference centre, next to an expanded casino, next to a Multiplex will achieve that………… This area would also present a perfect location for a central downtown transportation terminal, where an improved public transportation system could eventually be aligned with rail transportation, both normal and light-rapid, as well as a foot-ferry to Vancouver and other transportation possibilities. If there is to be a Multiplex, it should be done as a private enterprise and without taxpayer’s money or give-away’s of city land as has been done in the past. DND land, close to the Parkway and Vancouver Island University would be a more appropriate location, in my opinion. ~Fred Pattje
A private enterprise funded Multiplex should have taken priority before the Conference Center. The two projects go hand in hand, but only the Multiplex would have been successful if it stood alone. We do not need a Multiplex on wharf lands, further increasing parking problems. This is one of the only ideas on the table that will be a major blow to the already struggling economic market in Nanaimo. A Multiplex in Nanaimo is not as valuable to residents as the Port Place Shopping Center is.
If we must build a Multiplex which will likely further increase our property taxes, we should consider alternate locations for it such as Nanaimo District Senior Secondary Property which will be vacant in a few short years. We also must be able to make it a 5000 seat building as well as prepare it to be an emergency shelter in case of major disasters. ~Troy Pearson
My personal view is that a multiplex, similar to the one just completed in the centre of Penticton B.C.’s conference area would be a great complement to the city. My position is that there needs to be a private company who is the principle… the track record of bureaucracy’s running business has never appealed to me. There would be a major emphasis on a partnership where the city taxpayer was NOT left holding the bill. There would be a major amount set aside by the developer/business in trust with the city to cover any chance of failure to perform. For our city to move into the conference, entertainment, tourism new era, such a structure is a key part of the picture. ~Jack Arnold
No motion was passed to build a multiplex, and it is not within our immediate plans. We are only looking at possible future sites, trying to preserve that area of the city for future uses, making sure that they fit into the over-all plan for the city and for the south end. A new arena is only one possible element. ~Larry McNabb
Actually no motion was ever filed, however, the multiplex idea has been on the City’s radar for quite some time (see link for city info). The wharf lands per se, unless one is talking of the Port Authority pier only, are owned by varied private interests. Prior to the last election in 2005 the Friends of Plan Nanaimo had put together the concept of actually combining the Convention Centre with a cruise ship facility, hotel and housing on the wharf lands and lands immediately surrounding them. The area of the wharf lands was mentioned at one time as an option for the multiplex because of the large amount of space required, lands at Beban Park have also been considered. Personally I think if a multiplex is ever approved the only thing the City should provide is the property to build it on. Revenues from the Multiplex would then go to the city based on the commercial value of the land contribution. A facility such as this should not become a burden to taxpayers. ~Gordon Fuller
I’m not convinced we need a Multiplex, but I’m trying to keep an open mind. I would definitely want to see a thorough examination of how such a facility would benefit Nanaimo and how the facility would be built and operated before making a decision. Equally, I’m not at all sure that the waterfront land adjoining the assembly wharf is the best place for such a facility – that land may have a “higher and better use”, as the realtors like to say. Since the primary users of the facility are likely to be private companies like hockey teams and event organizers, I would want the facility to be paid for by private enterprise, perhaps assisted by senior governments. Any local government investment in a Multiplex would have to be approved by referendum, in my view. I would oppose a public-private partnership, as I don’t think those arrangements work very well.
Frankly, I would rather put my efforts this coming term into seeking a foot passenger ferry that would run from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver. I think that service would clearly benefit Nanaimo in a number of ways. The benefits of a Multiplex are not nearly as clear (to me). ~Bill Holdom
I would support a multiplex, but on the University grounds. We can build access to the parkway, and build a parkade with a transit exchange. I would like to see it as a mixed private/public enterprise and build it on the old NDSS site. ~Angela Negrin
A Multiplex would complement the downtown, I not sure that it is necessary. It must be federally and provincially funded, not built first then ask for funding later when you can’t get it. I would support a privately funded enterprise with reduced city costs. ~James Younger
We need more ball fields and ice for our kids we should not have torn down the Civic Arena. I would be in favor of manning the new complex with city staff not contractors. We should be able to build it and run it and have a profit left over. I would want to find a different location than the old wharf lands. ~Rob Campbell
I believe a multiplex would be a good addition to new facilities for the City of Nanaimo when the population warrants it. I would strongly oppose any public money being put into this concept and believe it should be private enterprise. ~Diana Johnstone
I’m not sure the multiplex is a necessity but it might be a nice place to have if we can get the central Vancouver Island residents to buy in. We would need them to be willing to travel to Nanaimo for big shows and games if we want to fill the proposed 5000 seat capacity. It should definitely be paid for by private enterprise. The city might be able to come up with a good deal on the land. ~Terry Lynn Saunders
First, no such motion was passed. What council asked staff to do was to find the most suitable location for a “future” multiplex project. Our history of major projects has been that they are built every eight to 10 years – i.e. the Port Theatre, the Aquatic Centre, the Conference Centre, etc. There is no immediate plan to proceed with such a project unless there is a private operator who wants to make that investment. We have more pressing issues than a Multiplex at this time. ~Merv Unger
I think that a multi-plex is one of the next wish list items that our community supports. I support the idea and concept of what this type of facility brings to a community. Kamloops, Kelowna and similar communities do host large community, sport and concert events that we cannot facilitate. But in my estimation it would require a large private small public partnership arrangement. ~Jim Kipp
A multiplex is not necessary for Nanaimo’s well being. I can appreciate the exciting new possibilities such a facility could bring to the city so if the private sector is prepared to pay for it I would welcome it. If the proposal is for another city-funded mega project in the face of already soaring property taxes my feeling is that it would be extremely irresponsible and I could not support it. ~Simon Schachner
For clarification, a motion was not filed to build a Multiplex on the wharf lands in the South End. A motion was approved to identify potential locations within the Downtown Zone for the future siting of a Multiplex. While the Wharf Lands may be identified by the professional agency enlisted to identify locations and the pros and cons of each, a decision on where to build has not been contemplated or identified.
When thinking of the City of Nanaimo as a City of approximately 90,000 residents and growth projections reaching 120,000 in the next 15 to 20 years, it is important to at minimum contemplate sports, recreation, art and entertainment centres to meet the anticipated growth. One must also consider the age of existing facilities and size of existing facilities. Beban Park is reaching a critical stage of its life expectancy and some have suggested it is outdated and too small to meet the emerging needs of our City.
With that said, people are free to form their own opinions on the “necessity” of a Muliplex. I happen to believe at the heart of every growing and revitalizing City is its culture, which includes first and foremost venues in which to have performances year round, appealing to all citizens.
Without adequate reserves or funding in place, or Provincial participation to build and operate a Multiplex, there is really only one option and that is to partner with a private consortium to build and operate a Muliplex. ~Bill Bestwick
I’m not in favour of a Multiplex. It would bring nothing to the South End but parking problems. To build a multiplex when we need housing is nothing short of cynical. ~Tim Lander
Over the past few months, I’ve talked to hundreds of people on the street, and only 2 even mentioned a Multiplex as a point of interest. There was a lot more concern about the lack of hotel or retail tenants in the new convention centre.
A multiplex is a facility of interest, but not a necessity. Nanaimo’s role would be in facilitating zoning and licensing. Development costs would have to be private. ~Pat Squire
A multiplex is very important to Nanaimo especially to the south end. A multiplex in the south end will drive more people into the area helping out local businesses. The only reason a private enterprise would want to build a multiplex is because they see profit in it. If they see profit in it why can’t the city. No matter who funds it a multiplex in the south end needs to be built. ~Mark Sadhra
A Multiplex is as necessary as the money which investors will put up to build it. A facility built to make a profit for private interests should be built with private money on privately owned land. If public monies or land are involved it should only be when the project clearly demonstrates a direct and positive return on investment to the public as investors rather than benefactors. Furthermore the public should only be involved in providing funding or land to the project following a referendum in which clear terms have been approved by the public.
I am against public monies for private projects, but would abide by a decision otherwise based on a referendum vote of our citizens. I would, however, under any conditions, strongly protest the kind of unclear, constantly reinterpreted, publically subsidized and toothless P3(?) agreement with which we have found ourselves saddled in the Conference Centre. ~Ron Bolin
How necessary is a multiplex? It isn’t necessary. Water, sewer, streets, solid and liquid waste disposal and Fire/Rescue and Police Departments are necessary. But, if we are looking at economic development depending on the economy at the time, a Multiplex would be great to have. I don’t believe the City has the funding to pay for a Multiplex. I am not sure the citizens of Nanaimo would support a public funded venture of this type or possible size after the most recent public/private partnership with the Convention Centre and related Hotel. Even as I write this there are reports of a severe down turn in the American economy and the good possibility that Canada will follow. So, it might prove difficult for private funding to succeed as well. ~Ted Greves
Many believe that Nanaimo needs an Entertainment and Sports Complex that gets us back in step with almost every other major BC city. I believe this is an important economic driver for Nanaimo, as it brings in revenue from outside the community to watch entertainment and sporting events – as well as creating new jobs. A Multiplex becomes a catalyst for investment, as downtown Kelowna has demonstrated. Restaurants and other establishments are immediate beneficiaries prior to and after an event is held. Nanaimo is a regional centre, and needs a regional facility like a Multiplex. However, a Multipelx cannot be funded like the conference centre – there is no appetite from taxpayers for another similar major project. Creative ways need to be found to attract the Private Sector to build and operate a Multiplex. The Private Sector would do a much better job of running an operation like this. The bigger question to me, though, is how an offer to build a Multiplex a few years ago featured a guaranteed contract with a locally bonded construction company for $34 Million was not pursued by the City – which is now floating a $75 Million Multiplex. Who is doing the math and the estimating? ~Mark MacDonald
The motion was to identify land suited for Multiplex. To the best of my knowledge there has been no commitment to build and there has been no call for a proposal. Size and costs would be needed and then the question of who pays would need to be answered. ~Loyd Sherry
Please feel free to share your comments or questions to candidates in the comment section below each posting!
Want to keep track of candidates responses? We’ve created a handy-dandy rating sheet. Click here for a copy you can print.
Candidates for Mayor
A Multiplex on zoned lands with private funds built for profit would be an asset and taxable. ~Larry Iwaskow
I support the concept of a multiplex however, there are many issues that must first be answered. I am firmly of the opinion that the Taxpayers of Nanaimo have little appetite to take on yet another mega project without knowing the true total cost of the PNC. The “Taxpayers Bank of Nanaimo” is closed. I would consider a possible public/private partnership, subject to prior qualification, whereby the City may consider providing suitable land if available, however only with a revenue share from the completed project. ~John Ruttan
The taxpayers of Nanaimo cannot afford a massively expensive project like this for the foreseeable future. As your Mayor, I have always said I need to see a credible business plan that shows a Multiplex is financially viable, not dependent on city taxpayers. That there is sufficient population to support it, and the capital costs are paid by the beneficiaries. Private sector initiatives like this should be paid by the private sector. The City can assist in access and servicing but we are limited in our ability to subsidize something that is lower in priority to more necessary projects… like the water system upgrade. ~Gary Korpan
This is question 3 of 4. We’ll be posting the last question on Wednesday November 5th. Please feel free to share your comments or questions to candidates in the comment section below each posting!
Want to keep track of candidates responses? We’ve created a handy-dandy rating sheet. Click here for a copy you can print.
Candidates for City Council
I am proud to have worked very hard on this issue on the Safer Nanaimo Working Group with Coun Diane Brennan. We both came to the defence of the South End when the Balmoral Hotel issue came up. We developed a Housing First Strategy, which outlines our needs and how to get there. We have been working with the provincial housing ministry and expect answers in the very near future, and that will be good news for all of Nanaimo. ~Merv Unger
We are a university town now and more than ever low income housing is a must. I support co-op housing for university students in order to free up the low income housing currently available. That way, a more stable market for such housing can be achieved. I believe in an effective transit system. It is my goal to find a permanent home for the 7-10 club. ~Angela Negrin
1. Provincial Funding.
2. Federal Funding I would not bring Nanaimo further into debt to support wet houses, there are to many sober people that need housing.
3. I would require all casino tax revenue over current $3,200,000 — go to housing and address homelessness issues. The issues could be policing to counceling. ~James Younger
Hopefully there will be more than 3 initiatives. I support the homeless shelter Councillors Brennan and Unger have been working on and believe that is a good start. I would also like to see a ‘gathering’ place for the homeless where they can get a meal, clothing and one stop access to agencies that could help them in whatever their needs are. The Salvation Army does a good job but they cannot be expected to do everything. What I really want to see is a concentrated effort to provide affordable housing and not just as rental property. Real housing that people own. I have a plan that I have thought about since my time with Habitat for Humanity. In a nutshell, the community could build condominiums that would provide decent affordable housing for the working poor as well as interest free mortgages. ~Terry Lynn Saunders
1. Adhere to the city’s policy of not converting rentals to condos; a recent major example is the attempt to stratify Seacrest Apts.
2. Apply the will and ability to implement “Nanaimo’s Response to Homelessness” (tabled July 08) using Toronto’s homelessness plan as a benchmark.
3. Fast track the ability to legalize rooming houses – for both existing and new construction. ~Pat Squire
1 – Determine the extent to which existing building codes and bylaws may cause the cost of housing to be greater than it need be to provide adequate homeless shelter and develop an inventory of sites where temporary or permanent homeless facilities could be placed.
2 – Get out in front of the homeless problem rather than being behind it playing catch up. Beating the bushes to find the homeless is not a reasonable approach. Until the touted units are built, we should undertake to provide some shelter for every homeless person that needs it, even if the facilities are temporary and in parks or on vacant public lots. Efforts can then be focused on defining needs, providing services and security and moving folks to appropriate and longer term facilities as required. The combined costs of our current system of dealing with the homeless problems in an ad hoc manner are far too high and need to be reduced.
3 – Develop a bylaw which, for large scale housing developments, requires that the project provide some affordable housing, e.g. 10-30% of units and that smaller projects pay some proportion of their development costs into a fund established to build affordable housing. The idea is to use a portion of the increase in land values created when the City grants rezonings, development permits, etc., for public purposes. I do not view this suggestion as “subsidizing” public housing, but rather as a recovery of part of the value which the public has created in the development process. ~Ron Bolin
Housing is essential, but must be done in small units, with strong management so as not to impact neighbourhoods. Our area has more than enough social services now, so I would expect NO MORE in this area. I serve as a Director of the Columbian Centre Society who sucessfully operates 5 buildings none of which have any impact on their neighbours, so I do know it is possible to achieve. Continued CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Enviromental Design) principles need to be be retrofitted where possible on public and private space. The lighting in Deverill Park is an example of this. Enforcement personnel, both RCMP and Bylaw need to continue to be diligent, and working with other agencies need to continue to shut down drug houses much more quickly than they have been able to in the past. ~Blake McGuffie
The only answer to homelessness is to provide homes. Nanaimo recently developed a Homeless Action Plan, that has great potential and looks at providing a mix of purpose built housing as well as subsidies for rental housing. Pressure needs to be kept up on both the provincial and federal levels of government to contribute. The city also has looked at secondary suites as a means to provide affordable housing and is currently looking at developing guidelines for rooming houses. Making sure affordable and social housing are spread throughout Nanaimo is essential. See my blog gordonfuller.blogspot.com for more information and ideas. ~Gordon Fuller
HOMELESSNESS A real big problem everywhere. There are many empty lots around the city that could be used as campground facilities without a big concentration at any one area. Supplied water and garbage pickup. I believe the federal Gov. would be willing to supply army tents and these people must be considered to be Canadian refugees. Mobile housing as used for construction and oil rig camps could also be supplied for immediate shelter to fill the gap until decent housing can be generated. This can be done NOW at a very little cost shared by all levels of government. I dedicate myself to making this happen! ~Brunie Brunie
As an apartment manger I talk to people all the time that are having a very difficult time finding a place to live. I have three proposals that would elevate some of the housing problems.
-All condo developments would have to allow rentals not just for the original owners but of people who buy from original owners. I would also talk to the strata councils that operate preexisting condo developments to get them to allow rentals in their buildings.
-Stop the crackdown of illegal suites and make it easier for owners to turn their illegal suites into legal suites.
-There are many developers who want to build in Nanaimo. I say let them built. An increase of supply will help elevate this situation. ~Mark Sadhra
1. Require the provincial and federal governments to make a fair contribution towards the resolution of this problem.
2. Require that a coordinated and accessible multi-disciplinary team be available to provide practical logistical support for people in crisis and/or with a housing emergency to help them access all available levels of support and assistance with a minimal level of bureaucracy.
3. Partnership with other social and support providers with a proven track record of assistance. ~Janet Cowling
Provincial, Federal and Municipal funding for non-market housing projects that will house the homeless.
Inclusionary Zoning (developers must include a percentage of affordable housing in new development plans)/ Density Bonusing (developers can increase density provided they include affordable housing in a new project) with an emphasis on constructing rental units. ~Bill Forbes
The first initiative I would support is aggressive lobbying of the Provincial and Federal governments to make access to affordable housing a priority in this country. The next initiative would be to adopt “Smart Growth” principles of affordable housing which is primarily about providing a variety of housing options and setting “inclusionary zoning” (a required percentage of affordable housing units in new developments). The third initiative would be to adequately support service providers that are often essential to the success of people new to permanent housing. ~Simon Schachner
- Helping people with mental illness find affordable assisted living quarters.
- Separating the homeless into two groups, those that want help and those that don’t. I want to spend tax dollars on the ones who want to help themselves but can’t.
- Crack down hard on the drug dealers to make it more of a risk to offend, currently the punishment is worth the chance to make money off the plight of others.
Its a complex issue! ~Rob Campbell
I will continue to support the excellent work currently carried out by the service providers. Through strong advocacy, policy change and supporting initiatives like “Streets to Homes” we can work to end homelessness. Although viewed by some as the responsibility of upper government, we must act to improve our community through financial, in-kind or capital investment with broad participation. We need to create a greater pride and sense of community with dignity based policy and response to issues of homelessness, addiction, crime and core issues. ~Jim Kipp
Get Provincial and Federal Governments to accept their responsibility for this issue of homelessness. The City should act as a coordinator with the two Senior Levels of Government. ~Loyd Sherry
1) The City’s current Housing First action plan that involves building new housing via the donation of City-owned land, construction funds from the Province, and management by VI Health Authority.
2) The Canadian Mental Health’s project of converting the Balmoral Hotel into residences, as vetted through the South End Residents’ Association.
3) Legalization and regulation of boarding houses. ~Bill Holdom
The issue of homelessness and affordable housing are complex and complicated as so many levels of government, various agencies and municipal governments are involved.
I do believe the current Council is making excellent progress in this regard with respect to priorizing affordable housing and the homeless in Nanaimo as a very high priority. As I write this response I have optimism an announcement on Provincial funding for a new long term affordable housing initiative in Nanaimo is imminent.
More specifically, if I could only support 3 initiatives to deal with homelessness and affordable housing, I would continue to support:
1. Providing City owned raw land for future low cost housing projects.
2. Encourage more affordable rental properties to be constructed in part or whole.
3. Direct cash in lieu from developments to fund low cost housing initiatives. ~Bill Bestwick
We will have an announcement soon from the Province with regard to a major housing initiative for the whole city, including the homeless. This is very exciting news. ~Larry McNabb
Homelessness and affordable housing (lack of) are two separate issues. One is a social issue, the other a long term economic issue. Two major industries in Nanaimo are retirement and tourism. Both of which rely on low paid workers who must be decently and affordably housed. With the downturn in the market now is the time to build helping to maintain our forest industry at the same time.
We must stop treating the homeless as criminals per se.
When one becomes homeless for whatever reason one becomes depressed and then perhaps angry, paranoid, reach for the bottle or for drugs. The problems are not caused by the homeless but homelessness. It solves nothing to drive them out of where they are sleeping. Everyone has a right to a good night’s sleep. We let sleeping dogs lie. Why not sleeping people? Everywhere the homeless might shelter out of the rain there are chain link fences or warning notices.
We need a living room for those with no living room. I suggest the old museum building would make a good living room. Well patrolled. I also think the city should rent several vacant lots. Fence in three sides and set up with toilet facilities as camp sites. The city should take seriously the recent decision regarding the right of the homeless to camp. We have vacant lots. We don’t need campsites in our parks.
The city should pressure the province to increase welfare rates and make them inclusive. Money given in welfare is recycled into the local economy. Throwing people off welfare encourages them to join the underground economy. ~Tim Lander
I would support initiatives that encourage the co-ordination of many organizations such as City of Nanaimo, the V.I.H.A. Outreach Program, and B.C. Emergency Shelter Fund. We need ways to avoid a “Tent City” in Nanaimo.
One low cost initiative could be for alternative ideas for homeless that incorporate shipping crate homes like those used in China. Each crate is only $3,000 and could be easily located near policing stations. They are more secure than tents and we could build a public bathroom to accommodate their needs. Giving them support then a safe and secure place to go to in order to treat other problems; such as joblessness, addictions, and mental health.
Another alternative initiative for low income housing would be a similar shipping crate home idea but with individual bathrooms. This way when one neighborhoods value increases, we can economically and efficiently relocate the low income housing to another area. ~Troy Pearson
As an appointed member to the Social Planning advisory committee I am informed of issues and have an interest in working together to respond to changing social needs and issues.
-To develop a policy within the City to ensure that a percentage of any new zonings by developers contain the grant of a certain number of municipal affordable housing to the City, to be used by non-profit societies to build affordable housing.
-I would support a lobby from the Council of the City of Nanaimo to the Provincial Government, to provide more centres for the treatment of alcoholism and addiction that would allow those affected by this disease to be adequately treated in our society.
-Stand by the city policy of prohibiting the conversion of existing residential rental buildings to condominium status when the rental vacancy rate falls below 3%. ~Diana Johnstone
Implement a model and make it a program of immediacy, perhaps the Ontario model… give it an immediate trial period, far more pressure on the provincial government and its departments to look after people, continue with the move to low cost and affordable housing for the individuals concerned…. take care to consult residents and stakeholders in the areas before implementation. The problem is NOT only for some of the city, It is a problem for all of our residents to deal with. ~Jack Arnold
My three initiatives would be:
a) Support fully the City’s “Housing First and Harm Reduction” action plan and ensure that the annual goals in this five-year plan are being met and that “the load” is shared equally by other parts of the City. To have some thirteen social services dispensed from the South End alone is unfair and unacceptable!b) I sat on both Secondary Suite Task Forces which steered Council towards legalizing secondary suites, now a possibility in the main dwelling as well as in detached structures (granny- and coach house suites) and I feel that I have contributed, albeit in a small way, towards more affordable housing. More of this type of housing should be made available. Similarly I support more co-op housing and it goes without saying that there will be no conversion from rental stock to condo as long as the vacancy rate is less than 3%, something which this Council is having trouble following even though this is a current bylaw………
c) Some municipalities require developers to set aside a certain percentage of new housing projects as “affordable” and I believe there should be opportunity for Nanaimo to do the same; I am using the SmartGrowthBC definition of ”affordable” to be that not more than 30% of income is paid to have a roof over your head. ~Fred Pattje
1. Those that cannot help themselves need to be helped and cared for, and we need to have facilities where they can be looked after. That’s what we Canadians do.
2. Those that can help themselves, but refuse to work, need to be presented with opportunities to work and contribute to society. Or, they can be re-trained to find something they can do to help them build a better life.
3. The city can look at providing incentives so that investors and developers would be encouraged to build realistic affordable housing that can be rented out at reasonable rates. The city has the ability to create such an environment, and recognizing the opportunity, the development community could be enticed to participate, lessening dependence on the city and taxpayers. The Federal government needs to get involved, as this is also an issue concerning Capital Gains allowances. ~Mark MacDonald
The first initiative that I could support is an incentive for developers to build affordable housing other than condos for example. What the developers build is dictated by good business sense and the economy. Apartments or affordable housing are not where the best profits are realized. That is not a criticism, but reality. So a funding incentive or relaxation on DCCs to make affordable housing attractive to build is the idea.
Second, the City’s Housing First Plan to house the Homeless is an incentive that I could support. I believe it has been borrowed from the City of Toronto and the Streets to Homes Program that appears to be very successful. It requires a buy in by the Province for funding and VIHA for the support needed by the individuals that are housed.
I am not aware of any other incentive at this time. ~Ted Greves
This is question 3 of 4. We’ll be posting the last question on Wednesday November 5th. Please feel free to share your comments or questions to candidates in the comment section below each posting!
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Candidates for Mayor
I propose housing funded by private, Provincial and Federal funds. As a temporary measure utilize empty buildings from all levels of Government. The mentally and physically disabled should be supported and housed by Provincial and Federal agencies. ~Larry Iwaskow
I would support purpose-built low barrier supported housing projects to deal with the homeless population with addiction and mental health problems. If neighbourhoods are to have any relief from chronic homelessness, open drug use and sex trade then housing must be made available to this population. I would spend two of my initiatives this way and make sure that the two projects were not placed in the same area of town. My last “wish” or initiative would be to create incentives for developers to build affordable multi-family rental apartment buildings. I would wish to see this type of housing in and around the downtown neighbourhoods to increase the number of people living there. I would expect downtown workers, students, young families, older adults who are downsizing and seniors to choose this type of accommodation. I believe the mix of multi-family housing in establish neighbourhood would enhance and enliven them. ~Diane Brennan
Strict enforcement against the predators; medical treatment (eg detox) for the drug and alcohol dependent; safe, secure, supervised housing, particularly for the mentally challenged, with job re-training and placement opportunities. No social service over-saturation that makes any one area a magnet for problems. ~Gary Korpan
(a) I support additional substance abuse and rehabiliation programs for those struggling with substance abuse who want to get clean, get off the street, find employment and contribute to their community.(b) In conjunction with the efforts of the local RCMP, I would work to provide an acceptable level of safety and security for those living in the South End. I am particularly pleased with the results of the RCMP Bike Patrol, which I feel has met with considerable success by their initiatives and by showing a high profile in the area.(c) There appears to be considerable commercial interest in the South End and in fact all of South Nanaimo. I am very pleased that the Balmoral Hotel project is proceeding on schedule and the proposed condomunium development, directly across the street from the Balmoral project, is further evidence of renewed commercial confidence in the area. ~John Ruttan
Question 2 of 4 questions. Please check back soon for Question 3.
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Candidates for Council
Nicol Street, although it is called a Street, is part of Highway 19A, and thus a provincial responsibility. Because it is a main thoroughfare, the city can put pressure on the provincial ministry of highways to beautify the street, and can cooperate with the ministry in making it more presentable. To continue with the points made in the first question, if people feel safe and business owners identify the volume of traffic as an opportunity for their business, then that should result in more new development, and add to beautification efforts. ~Mark MacDonald
First off Nicol St. is not an underutilized road, it is far from that. As I live on the corner of Nicol and Needham I am aware of just how busy it is and the need for some sort of traffic calming measures. There is usually one accident per month at this intersection and the only fortunate thing is despite some pretty serious collisions no one, to my knowledge, has died. Nicol St. is actually a part of the Trans Canada Highway system. 20 odd years ago Nicol St., even though a part of the highway of the time, was actually 2 lanes with an Island running through the middle of it, it had a wonderful canopy of trees and was very pleasant. Prior to the new bypass going in the province took out the island, expropriated part of the properties on both sides (mine lost 7-8 feet) and put in what you see today. Personally I would love to see it go back to the way it was, or some other form of trafic calming measures, and would work to put that forward. It is unlikely anything would happen soon if ever though as part of working on the Neighbourhood Plan for the area we could look at this as an issue. This can work congruently with looking at the redevelopment of commercial space along this corridor to retail below with housing above. The province has primary responsibility but I do believe the city and residents should have some say. ~Gordon Fuller
Nicol Street is the Trans Canada Highway which starts from the Departure Bay Ferry, follows Stewart Ave., Terminal Avenue, Nicol Street and out of the City. So it is a Provincial Highway. The City cleans the street and looks after the storm sewers but the Province looks after snow removal. The City looks after the sidewalks and back from the street. I am not an urban planner but if there was enough interest and it was presented to Council, perhaps someone could be hired on the recommendation from Council to study the problem, discuss it with the residents for further input and recommend some changes that would be presented to the Provincial Government. ~Ted Greves
I would work with the provincial representative to see what changes could take place. Work with the city for a safer corridor for travel and residents. Take all that information and come up with a plan with community input. To find the best solution working together. ~James Younger
Nicol Street is our entrance way and where first impressions are made. I would like to propose a WARD SYSTEM so we can have a clearer voice on council and the south end can receive the tender loving care it deserves. I would also support more efficient intersections on the parkway and transit exchange downtown. ~Angela Negrin
Nichol Street is a numbered classification of Provincial Highway under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Highways (MOT), typically known as HWY # 1 and HWY 19A. The City of Nanaimo has no jurisdiction over Nichol Street. The provincial government – through the MOT - in the past has relinquished bits of the Island Highway to the City and this has typically been perceived as “downloading”. Any changes to Nichol Street would have to be a joint venture between the City and the MOT. That would probably mean the City may be able to make changes, but the funding for the work and the planning would be paid for by the City and be permitted by the MOT.
As a Gateway corridor to Downtown I would recommend that the city study the prospect of making Nichol Street through Terminal Avenue from Southgate to beyond Brooks Landing more pedestrian and bicycle friendly emphasizing vehicle calming to reduce speeds and make the core of our city more accessible to visitors and residents alike. ~Bill Forbes
That is a very good question, one that has massive impact on the city and the community. As a highway, it is funded by the provincial transportation ministry, who would love to have us take it over and assume the costs. However, it is definitely as issue that needs attention. ~Merv Unger
I contacted the EmCon people (Road Maintenance Service) and their actually is a designation that the Nicol Street road surface from curb to curb is part of the Island Highway. Surface maintenance, ensuring the roads are clear of debris, snow, and drain blockages fall under their jurisdiction, beyond that the responsibility for sidewalks, beautification and such is a city responsibility. While Nicol Street is not the main highway, it would seem pertinent to make the entrance from the Underpass at Chase River and in through Nicol street a priority… It is the SOUTH entrance to our city and need to have more done with it. Encouragement of combined enterprises, assessment of parking opportunities… so that small business could have a foothold along the street.. again adding to the idea of making the section similar to that found in othe cities (the “Gastown” idea/West 4th Avenue in Vancouver,etc.) ~Jack Arnold
With your long overdue Neighbourhood Plan will come a whole array of positive possibilities. When the Departure Bay Neighbourhood Association ( DBNA ), of which I am a founding member and which I served as Vice President and Treasurer, commenced our negotiations with the City in order to obtain our plan, we had ample opportunity for input and discussion which ranged from traffic-calming to the establishment of a commercial node, etc. The best suggestions always came from the residents themselves! In order to re-establish Nicol Street as a vibrant urban corridor we need to practice proper urban planning and that, among other things, involves getting serious about infill and densification of the sort that brings more people to your area to support those existing and new businesses in a way that is sustainable. We all agree that some 8000 more residents are needed in, or close to, the downtown core in order to make the proposed revitalization work and the South End must play a very important, if not the most important role in achieving that. Projects such as Cable Bay and Sandstone, at the periphery of the municipality, do not help in this regard. ~Fred Pattje
There are areas along Nicol Street where underground pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths could be integrated with cul-de-sacs to make it safer for children and the elderly to cross the highway. The use of roundabouts along Nicol Street to establish it as a true street and not a highway should be researched. The Street itself might benefit from zoning that would favour establishment of a corridor where townhomes and apartments were developed above businesses with a height limit of 3-4 storeys. Another possibility is the use of two-way left turn lanes as was recently done on upper Departure Bay Rd. The type of street enhancement that the City funded in the Old City Quarter should also be considered. ~Janet Cowling
Nicol street is still classified as a highway for good reason. Ferry traffic from departure bay needs to be connected to a highway. With the increase in population in the south end businesses will see more customers. Developers are seeing the value in building in the south end and with the help of city council Nicol street can become vibrant again. ~Mark Sadhra
The South End is the same old mix of small industrial and residential, defined on one side by railroad and on the other by Nicol Street which is a major truck route. Twenty years ago we entered into a discussion over Nicol Street with the Provincial Highways Department to no avail. The only answer to the problems of Nicol Street would be to upgrade the railroad and move it to Duke Point. Until that time we are left with a major truck route through our community. ~Tim Lander
Nicol Street is a joint jurisdiction with the province responsible from curb to curb, and the city beyond that. From the intersection by the old firehall to Nicol and South Street – a distance of 1.7 km – there are only 2 crosswalks in an area of the city with a very high concentration of pedestrians and cyclists. This is still primarily a residential area and nowhere else in Nanaimo does this situation occur. More crosswalks and beautification of blocked-off side streets would be a starter; the dual jurisdiction does not pose an easy solution. ~Pat Squire
The fact that Nicol Street is in Nanaimo means we should clean it up, and not wait for provincial help. First off we have to make it attractive to business owners and buy locally. It has to be a safe place to walk around without fear of drugs or bodily harm. We need to help people who were once good tax paying citizens get off the streets, sometimes all they need is to know there is a house that they can take prescription their meds. The Gordon Campbell Liberals devastated health care leading to good honest citizens being forced to make bad decisions. Some repeat offenders need longer incarsuration times. We should save money which could go towards building new low income housing. More and more I meet with the “working poor” as I go door to door, they need real tax relief. ~Rob Campbell
Nicol Street is still a major throughfare for people travelling up island even though they can take the parkway and bypass downtown. Nicol Street is still a street (50km) and deserves some beautification to encourage those who pass through to stop, shop and eat. Several gas stations have closed and those sites would make good parking lots for access to the shops. Planting more trees and flowers, with benches to sit and chat would help to ‘funk’ up the place. The ‘arts’ district could expand up Nicol as well. ~Terry Lynn Saunders
Your question contains a very good description of the Nicol Street reality, and I completely agree with the goal of transforming it into a “vibrant urban corridor”. Nicol Street is still classified as a provincial highway and falls under provincial jurisdiction. The City considers it a major arterial road. In the revised and recently adopted Official Community Plan (Plan Nanaimo), much of Nicol Street is designated for mixed residential and commercial development, subject to rezonings (and the approval of the provincial ministry).
If re-elected, I would move that Council proceed with a recommendation in the new Plan Nanaimo – that a neighbourhood plan be developed for the South End “in the short term”, or as soon as possible. As with other neighbourhood plans we have completed, the process of developing that plan would be very inclusive and consultative with most of the input coming from South End residents. When complete, the South End Neighbourhood Plan would become part of the City’s Official Community Plan and would guide development in the area and along Nicol Street in more sensitive and precise ways than the overall OCP does now.
I believe this process would be the best way to influence the transformation of Nicol Street. ~Bill Holdom
Nicol Street is still a portion of the Number 1 Trans Canada Highway. There is need for an urban planner to review and come up with a concept plan for those properties fronting Nicol St. It could be that the land for a proper concept plan would be the west side of Haliburton to the east side of Victoria Road from Crace Street at the north to Woodhouse Street at the south. ~Loyd Sherry
I agree that with the fact that the construction of the parkway changed Nicol Street. I question the term “underutilized” though because I think that a lot of traffic uses Nicol during peak times. It is sad but true that this once vibrant area has become a prime candidate for renewal, both physical and social. What to do with this issue? Confirm the current road designation, which I think is urban collector. Determine if the designation is valid through a traffic study, which needs to include all forms of traffic. Then work with all stakeholders to improve the physical standards such as curbing, calming, landscape, lighting and shared space policy and enforcement. ~Jim Kipp
Years ago (10) I was part of a team (EDG) who undertook the task with volunteer labour to provide a bit of a face lift to residences and buildings along Nicol Street. We contacted the absentee landlords to provide permission to upgrade the fences and boulevards, had paint and lumber donated, and worked with volunteers to make the street more welcoming and inviting for new business.
Today I would like to see the City of Nanaimo lobby for an urban renewal grant from the Province to undertake a redesign of Nicol Street much like a downtown revitalization project. The street should incorporate such modern techniques as traffic calming and landscaped centre medians. I would see my role as a researcher/listener connecting with community representatives as well as the appropriated provincial experts who could work to solving these problems. ~Diana Johnstone
Technically to my knowledge Nicol Street is referred to as the Old Island Highway and fundamentally is a feeder road in and out of Nanaimo. While the Parkway has alleviated considerable traffic volumes including commercial vehicles and heavy trucks, it will always be a major connector.
I would definitely support a comprehenisve plan for the Terminal Avenue through the Commercial Street intersection and South on Nicol Street. Naturally an undertaking of this magnitude is a lengthy process which may involve expropriations, property consolidations, rezonings, streetscape upgrades to name a few.
Like all massive projects and undertakings the priorization of the project on the capital planning list and funds available are necessary to move any multi million dollar project through. ~Bill Bestwick
Nicol continues to be a “highway”. Having said that the City has effective control. The road needs to be redone as TWO lanes of traffic, with parking restored on both sides wherever possible, and remaining areas used for proper turning lanes. I expect this could be accomplished quickly from Milton to downtown, and the rest worked on later. It is VERY possible to make this change with City Council support. ~Blake McGuffie
Nicol Street is classified as a highway still because it is a major trucking route in Nanaimo. The city needs to re-classify the highway as a street and lower the speed limit by at least 10 km/h. Finally we should include Nicol St. in the City Beautification Projects like hanging art and flowerpots.
To rescue the motels and assist the struggling shops, we need to consider extending the Urban Containment Boundary on the Official City Plan to include the motels. We also need zoning for multi-level residential buildings that include a building requirement for small commercial units on ground/street level, in front of at least one floor of public parking. The first 3 floors of these (maximum 12 story) buildings could be dedicated to parking. We could reduce our parking situation, while increasing our potential tax base, discourage transient tenants, and help Nicol become the best street it can be. ~Troy Pearson
Nicol Street from curb to curb is the responsibility of the Province. From the curbs back is the responsibility of the city. Shall the twain ever meet? Much of the traffic which previously used this route heading up-island has now been rerouted to the bypass thus reducing business opportunities along the street. This curbs investment in the area, which is also in one of the older city neighbourhoods and could use upgrading (see response to question 1). If Nicol Street is to be transformed it will be primarily through the efforts of the neighbourhood working with developers, small businessmen and the city to introduce or upgrade shops many of which may initially need their backs to Nicol St. as there is no parking along the highway and the frontage is forbidding. Should such groups develop a successful plan, they could approach the province for traffic calming measures such as roundabouts, boulevards, etc. which might slow traffic, allow for on street parking and bring the storefronts back to the street (this is problematic as Nicol Street is a provincial highway. The city, I presume for the obvious political reason, does not include Nicol St. in their 5 year traffic counts and it is difficult to immediately judge the longer range implications of such a move). While provincial agreement to such measures on a provincial highway might be a long shot (and it would undoubtedly make the city responsible for road maintenance rather than the province), it might be worth a try after the appropriate planning and implementation implications are known. This would be up to the Nicol Street Neighbours and the City. Perhaps there needs to be a Nicol Street Partnership similar to the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership. ~Ron Bolin
This is part of the long-range picture for our city, and Nicol Street will not be left out. Though it is classed as a highway, the city has a role to play in making it a vibrant part of our downtown and south end. ~Larry McNabb
