Ward System In Nanaimo?

Larry Gambone
November 16, 2008 at 11:50 am ·

I will be interested to read your alternative to a ward system, Ann. But I think we have to realize that “at large” is a deliberate rigging of the electoral system to favor the more privileged section of the population. Vancouver used to have a ward system, but it was abolished in the late 1930’s when it looked like the CCF could take city hall, since poorer wards outnumbered the wealthy ones four to one.

I don't have an alternative to the ward system but I don't think it will solve all the city's electoral problems. 

I'd like to see electoral reform on a Federal and Provincial level more than a Municipal. Nanaimo isn't the same as Regina or Kelowna and while North Nanaimo's issues are very different than the South End's, many residents live and work all over the city and we are electing eight councillors to represent the whole city instead of just one area. The Ward system would regionalise and polarise the city when we're looking for unity.

I like that I have the ability to vote for a good candidate outside of my local area (Fred/Ron), just as I like being able to avoid supporting a poor candidate from my neighbourhood (Angela/James). Just because a candidate lives here won't mean they'll be the best option for Nanaimo.

I'm a strong supporter of Gordon Fuller and Simon Schachner but they would have been my only choice had the Ward system been in place!

I'd like to have my vote count towards the whole of city council and not just one representative. I like my vote to address issues and problems outside of my Ward area. With the Ward system you'd essentially be casting your vote based on the one most significant issue in your area only. (Much like the reactionary voting against Gary Korpan.)

I strongly believe that it's imperative for a community that wants representation to work hard at getting local residents informed and involved. If everyone from the South End voted in support of a candidate addressing South End issues than our voices would have been heard.

These elections should be about issues instead of politicians and their personalities. How we achieve this is up to us all. The southern half of the city is just that- half the city. Our inability to mobilise and make the issues affecting us on a daily level a significant factor in the election says more about us than it does about the electoral system or the politicians. No matter the circumstances each individual's vote carries the same weight. 

Let's work together now to make the next election count and work with the current elected councillors until that time.

Post Election Thoughts

Congrats to the successful candidates in the 2008 Nanaimo Civic Election. Specific congrats to Fred Pattje! 

I have to say that I'm pretty let down. A lot of the results lead me to believe that not many voters were making informed choices. I mean, come on, Angela Negrin getting as many votes as she did must have more to do with irritation towards Gary Korpan. Sure, his lawsuit against her is stoopid but so is Angela's continual insistence that "Koruption" has nothing to do with Korpan. Equally stoopid. Yes. Two o's because it's that stoopid.

Seriously, folks. Why would you ever vote for Angela Negrin who adds to our city by making greasy potato chips in a filthy filthy environment to serve to drunk patrons who then go out into the streets and litter and puke her produce back onto the streets increasing disorder to the downtown?! Have you not heard what she thinks are "platform points"? Ward system, ward system, city police (with no understanding to what's entailed), no more red zone (= reconcentration of homeless/addict problems in downtown core. While this may be seen by small minded people as "edgy" this would be to the obvious detriment of everyone.), bring "fun" back (forget a multiplex, we need a private/public funded chuckie cheese, right Ang?), more efficient intersections on the parkway (provincial highways), ward system (for the love of gawd this is redundantly redundant)...  

So what's wrong with the ward system? Thanks to the "I hate Gary Korpan Votes" for Angela last night she could have been elected with the ward system and if we all looked seriously at that possibility we'd see what a complete disaster that might have been. Basically our options here in the South End would have been much slimmer with the Ward system. I think before we push the Ward system into place we should focus on increasing voter turnout in our area and shifting the emphasis from the candidate's personalities and back to the issues (good and bad) that affect our city!

John Ruttan is our new mayor and Gary Korpan's numbers were embarrassingly low. I wonder what people think will be different with Ruttan instead of Korpan? 

19,663 ballots were cast. It's a damn shame considering we have almost 80,000 residents. 

What can we do now to decrease voter apathy? How can we get residents to understand that these elections are important and affect us all?

Nanaimo Municipal Elections 2008

Go Nanaimo Blog has put for a list of candidates that he would endorses as worthwhile.

Vote for Change in Nanaimo

Nanaimo is at a crossroads. The old city council has dug us into a hole by borrowing tens of millions of dollars to build the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, aka Port of Nanaimo Centre, without the necessary hotel. Some current council members, especially Korpan, Bestwick, Manhas, McNabb, and Unger, seem prepared to rubber stamp almost any development project that comes their way, even environmentally-damaging urban sprawl schemes like Cable Bay. Many newbie candidates, including Ruttan, Campbell, Greves, Johnstone, MacDonald, McGuffie, and Pearson, are cut from a similar mould and will continue the same failed Korpan-Manhas-Cantelon policies if elected. Nanaimo residents have a chance to vote for change on Saturday, November 15, 2008. GoNanaimo.com endorses the following candidates who will work for you:

MAYOR OF NANAIMO
BRENNAN, Diane

NANAIMO CITY COUNCIL
BOLIN, Ron
FORBES, Bill
FULLER, Gordon
HOLDOM, Bill
NEGRIN, Angela
PATTJE, Fred
SCHACHNER, Simon

POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008

I have to agree with most of the candidates above.

First, I absolutely CAN NOT support Angela Negrin as a worthwhile candidate for consideration. Imnsho, Angela would fall into the same category as James Younger. While she's likely more competent with English than James, she doesn't seem to have any attributes to offer the city of Nanaimo. The simple fact that she would base her election signage on the Free Tibet colour scheme is a slap in the face to the serious situation happening in Tibet. No matter how questionable the running of Nanaimo is it can never compare to the conflict in Tibet. Ugh. I'm disgusted that she would make a comparison like this. Angela has yet to say anything to surprise or impress me. She has a lot of different ideas but none of them very well thought out or feasible. I like alternative thinking but I can not appreciate Angela's strident adolescent approach to city politics.

Bill Forbes is another candidate I wouldn't endorse but more so because I know less about him than I do about the others on the above list. At one All Candidates Meeting I think he was asked only one question at the end? He definitely hasn't stood out enough for me to take much notice.

I like the way Ron Bolin thinks. At least from what I've gathered from his website and his answers to various posed questions. He's logical and intelligent. I imagine he'll be very capable if elected to council. I wish I knew as much about his politics as I do about his managerial/logistical skills.

I'm a fan of Gordon Fuller. He's passionate, driven and oriented towards positive goals. He's a clear speaker and willing to hear a differing opinion. I'm confident he would be a real asset to City Council, the housing initiative the city is carrying out and the OCP. Gordon wants to bring decorum to council and it's operation. I really believe council should be a mix of individuals with many and possibly different strengths to help make council well rounded and representative of all Nanaimoites. Gordon Fuller would fill a spot on council that has been sorely vacant for some time. 

Is it awful that what I like about Bill Holdom is his ability to properly use the English language? Ha. After all that painful reading I did from James Younger it may not be a shock that basic English skills are something I appreciate in a would-be councilman. Bill seems approachable and I've enjoyed his answers on the South End Votes blog, like his good grasp of issues in the South End or his unique comment on a passenger ferry before a multiplex. 

I like Fred Pattje and it seems many people do too. He seems willing to listen to and consider issues outside his own personal experience. Fred has real ideas and a willingness to make them happen. His in person presentation at each of the All Candidates meetings have been superb.

I was having a conversation about Simon Schachner the other day downtown and the other person told me that they thought he was like Angela- running for council out of defiance. I couldn't agree less. I think Simon is running because he wants to improve living in Nanaimo- for all residents. I think he has strong code of ethics. He speaks clearly and thoughtfully. 

Thanks to Gord's posting on "Plumping" seen on his blog and on the South End Votes blog I've decided I will not be voting for the maximum number of council candidates allowed (eight). In only voting for those I feel strongly about I give my vote more power. 

Looking forward to Saturday.

James Younger #2

  You just can't make this stuff up. I just had to share after I read some of these posts. 

Hotel deal alive or dead
James Younger

My feeling is it would not matter much who was to building it. [dangling] Can it be built? [tidy paragraph]
With the current financial crisis and other concerns. [not compete sentence] A hotel is needed to make the convention center [centre] work, I think that is a given.
Yes [comma] a building permit [no it wasn't] was taken out. [incomplete sentence]
Hearsay says that the drawings are just off a desk. [uh, wut?] With two bedroom 4000 square [!!! and he didn't accidentally add a zero folks] foot apartments with kitchens on top and below one bedroom with kitchens. [excuse me?] People who have seen the plans say they look more like condos than a hotel. [have you seen the plans?]
Will this project start?

James Younger for councillor?
Titan5

[...]You gotta work on your spelling though.

James Younger

SPELLING/GRAMMAr
These are not my strong points as I have dyslexia.
I have also only used the computer for a few months,so typing is new.
As I was getting my new computer worked on I purchased a spelling program. First it was only in French, now English is not working very well either evidently. I will move on and inquire about another spelling program because this one is not working for me. [Either you get it right before you publish it or you craft a monument to your own stupidity.]

Smokey©

I think your spell checker program is doing it's job. Most of your mistakes are using 'there' instead of 'their' and similar wording.[...]

Blue

[...]Are Fred Pattje/Ron Bolin and yourself working as a party? Be careful that when you align yourself with someone, that those individuals may not acknowledge you. I have spoken with Fred Pattje and basically he said there is no tie between you two.[...]

James Younger

Fred has twice asked me to partner up with him. I did not say yes or no either time. This was six months ago and then again after his last city council appearance. I was just as surprised as anyone else might be, with his gleaming resume and all. The next time we spoke about it we were at city hall a few weeks ago.
Fred said " my manager wants me to run alone, but I am not of the same mind."
I would find it very hard to believe that Fred Pattje would not agree to these occurrences. I never took him up on his offer, period. [Who wouldn't want a mental midget as a running buddy?]

I almost feel badly about publishing not one but two postings about James Younger running for Nanaimo's 2008 City Council. Not only am I overwhelmingly busy these days but it's kind of like poking a monkey in a cage. 

James Younger

James Younger is clearly an unintelligent, uneducated, low functioning twit. It would appear that his only real cause, and therefore the only topic that he has devoted any "intellectual" time to, would be the very narrow spectrum of municipal issues that would confront him on a trip to the corner store. In plain speak, the only things that really bother him are those that get between him and his slurplee. He only wants the slurplee-stoppers (problems) to go away rather than address the issues at hand. 

My question:

What’s your vision for future real estate development in our municipality?

And he replies:

#2 The real estate market is down and no one is borrowing money to build at this moment. This is predicted to last a few years. The new houses that are being sold are selling for less. I predict many builders moving into other work.

Okay. So what does this have to do with what direction the city might allow in real estate development?

My question:

What direction do you see the downtown revitalisation going in? Box stores, strip malls, megaplexes or locally owned unique small businesses?

His reply:

#5 How people build on their land once it is approved is up to them.

I give up. That doesn't even make any sense.  --> Me imagining this man getting any votes to allow him participation in city wide decision making.

While I don't agree with the political ideals of some candidates, I don't think they would be acting in bad faith. Not true with Mr. Younger who has such a poor grasp of any civic issue (not to mention the English language) that it could not be said that he has anyone's best interest in mind beyond his own.

Well that was fun. I'm glad to get that off my chest.

James Younger for Nanaimo City Council?

A few more quoted gems from Mr. Younger:

When I bought my house in “the hood” the appraiser and building inspector informed me that my quality of enjoyment of my house would be affected by were it was and how close it was to the street. I knew what they meant when “cracker jack “drove his dads car into my house.[...]

I will not support buildings over five stories. If that means I support shopping like sprawl that is better than a city full of high-rises. Once your city vista is full of high-rises you never get that small town look back. My research indicates five stories is the best for density avoiding high-rises.
I am opposed to city sprawl but only elected council members have a say in that. If the current economic trends continue new housing starts will drop dramatically reducing sprawl.
More building downtown would be attractive if the city payed for geo-tecks. It cost over $1000
for multiple geo-teck inspections to replace a eight by eight [8x8] front deck. If the costs for inspections required by city are this high for a deck what does it cost on a lot in the area. That is not incentive to build it is extra costs. We all know that there is coal slack in the area.

No really, I'm not making these quotes up.    What is the significance of a deck to the issues at hand? Should I hazard a guess that Mr. Younger is running for city council because he wants to do something to his deck and the current building code and/or a building inspector is not allowing him to? 

"So Mr. Younger, do you have an election platform?" "Yeah. Let me show you my deck."

I would enact a bylaw requiring new social services
not locate in the south end/ Nob hill area. Instead of a bylaw saying that social services can locate were-ever.{like this council did.]

Uh, wut?

Busy Week

It's a busy week this week so I won't be blogging much. My husband is currently out of town for a two week fund raising for cancer event all over the island and my grandfather is in the hospital again and really unwell. I'm finding little time being a single parent to my two kids and much too distracted with worry for my grandfather so I'll be back soon!

I've been really enjoying reading Gord's new blog and all that he has to offer Nanaimo. He's running in the upcoming civic election in November. His blog thoughts are well worth checking out. 

Civic Elections

I know it's a bit early for the upcoming civic elections but I'm finding it difficult to discover what exactly candidates running are hoping to accomplish when and if they are elected. I've been to a few websites like Fred Pattje and Pat Squire and while their sites are professional looking (even with the classic token pictures of each chatting up seniors) they offer no real insight into their political platform. I've heard complementary things about the two examples above and yet I'd like to cast a vote for more than just a "nice guy". 

I'm tired of political catch words. A political platform for should outline a candidates opinion on an issue and define what action that candidate intends to take to address the matter. Obviously a candidate isn't going to have an opinion on every concern facing Nanaimo but each should clearly demonstrate their understanding and ideals for the issues they intend to work on during their term. This is why a council is elected, so they can work together on all issues. 

I would like to see each potential candidate demonstrate how they can collaborate with other council members to bring about effective change on behalf of the city. I'm not looking forward to a debate if one is planned because we don't need to elect stubborn and argumentative people. We need to elect people with good ideology with the skills to work with other councillors to get things done. 

I'd love to hear more about the issues and worthwhile candidates who might address them. Who's catching your eye during this election?

Gordon Fuller

Further to my post about South End Representation and Gordon Fuller's running for city council I was in touch with Gord today. He was kind enough to email me some information about himself to facilitate anyone looking online in getting to know who he is and what he can offer the City of Nanaimo. I replied to him with the sentiment I share now: I think he would be an asset to the City of Nanaimo and I would be proud to live here if the changes he suggests are made. 

November 15th
Elect to Council

Gordon Fuller

Building Community

An Alternative to Vested Interests

In running for Council for the third time Gord believes he would bring a balanced perspective with both personal and professional experience around social issues as well as his involvement over the years with various community groups. A long time Social and Community activist Gord knows it is critical to recognise the importance of a healthy diverse economy in providing meaningful employment and the necessary tax base from which to run our fair city. “We need a strong advocate on council representing the interests of the South End, an advocate who also understands the issues in other areas of the city as well. There is much to be said for the Ward system as opposed to the at large. This becomes even more apparent when we consider South of the Hospital area has seen no elected representation for years.”

Gord is a third generation Nanaimoite, himself having lived in Nanaimo for the past 27 years most spent in the South End and Downtown areas. In 2002 he completed a degree in Child & Youth Care at Malaspina University/College while working full time as manager of Samaritan House Emergency Shelter. Gord is currently employed with Nanaimo Youth Services Association as coordinator of their 20 unit Youth Housing Complex.

Active in the community Gord Fuller is currently Co-Chair of the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society, President of Friends of Plan Nanaimo, Vice President of the South End Community Association and Vice Chair of the Nanaimo Neighbourhood Netwerk. He is also an active participant on the Board of Citizens Advocacy as well as with the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership – Housing Design Development subcommittee, Working Group on Homeless Issues, Neighbours of Nob Hill, Nanaimo Old City Association and Mid Island Coalition for Strong Communities. Gord’s past community involvement has also been extensive including participation with the Nanaimo Crystal Meth Task Force, Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action Coalition, Working Group on Downtown Social Issues, Mental Health Advisory Council, City of Nanaimo Nuisance Property Committee, Nanaimo Social Development Strategy, S.A.F.E.R Downtown Nanaimo Project, Community Food Connection, Food Link Nanaimo, Action for Diversity Team and Nanaimo Food Share Society.

“I believe Nanaimo is a unique city that still has an opportunity to work collectively towards not repeating the mistakes other cities have made in the past. We need to focus on the preservation of Nanaimo’s heritage with development that works in harmony with the waterfront and mountain vistas, maintaining the unique character of neighbourhoods and the community, Citizen Driven and Not Developer Driven. Smart Growth not rapid growth should determine Nanaimo’s future.”

“We need to implement sustainable small-scale social programs that move away from the institutional and towards community integration. We must work towards Social Equality and the elimination of the endemic poverty that exists in Nanaimo. This process can be accomplished in part through innovative sustainable affordable housing options that do not place a greater burden on the already high taxes that exist in Nanaimo. It is imperative that we, as a community, recognize and value diversity and the potential of all citizens in contributing to make Nanaimo a vibrant and inclusive community.”

In keeping with a vision of a healthy community Gord believes, “we must look towards the environment both urban and rural. Initiatives towards green energy, environmental protection and public ownership of our drinking water must be given priority.”

Other Comments:

Parks: “ From recreational to Tot Lots we need to ensure all of Nanaimo’s Parks are safe from rezoning in the future.”

Water: “We need to ensure that privatization of water never comes up on the agenda of the municipality and Regional District. Nanaimo needs to look to the purchase of the watersheds surrounding our drinking water.”

Planning: “Nanaimo is fast becoming a laughing stock, among communities across Canada, when it comes to urban planning. We need to implement smart growth principals creating density within, rather than by expanding, the urban containment boundary.”

Development: “Neighbourhood involvement needs to be the first step for developers before taking their projects to the city for approval. “

Housing & Homelessness: “The City of Nanaimo must lobby provincial and federal levels of government to work with the municipality in the provision of affordable/social housing and other means to end homelessness and poverty in Nanaimo.”

Concentration of Social Services: “Most communities work from the adage that you put the services where the people are. This has tended to concentrate services in the downtown or bordering neighbourhoods and results in urban decay and the ghettoization of the community. Poverty is not located in any one area and as such we need to look at creating smaller scale services outside of the downtown areas. We need to move away from large scale all-in-one institutional settings.”  

Food Security/Policy: “The City of Nanaimo must adopt a food charter coordinating municipal strategy that will encourage greater support for local food producers as well as allowing for the development of community gardens that would help provide food security to those in need in Nanaimo.”

Conflict of Interest: “If there is even a remote chance of conflict or perceived conflict of interest councilors must make it known.”

Councilor behaviour at council meetings/public hearings: “The denigrating of people speaking to council must stop. All citizens coming before council must be treated with respect.”

City Council Terms of Office: “Too often this has become a career, many having sat on council for 25 years or more. I believe we need to limit the number of terms a person sits on council to 2 or 3 at the most. This would allow for a quicker turnover to fresh ideas and enthusiasm on the part of newly elected municipal officials.”

A strong believer in an open communication process you can feel free to contact Gord at:
Ph: 250 754 6389
e-mail: gorfathome@yahoo.ca

South End Representation

I saw in the paper today that Gordon Fuller is going to run for Nanaimo city council. While I'm glad to see an article about him, for gawd sakes could then not use a better picture? I'll save the rant on the dodgy editorialising by the local newspaper for another day. Go Nanaimo Blog also makes mention of Gordon here (with a normal photograph of him even). I wish there was more about Gordon online to get to know him better and follow his campaign to become a city council member. Maybe Gord needs to enter the world of Facebook!

I don't know Gordon apart from what I'm reading recently and occasionally seeing him around town but I'm excited about the possible south end representation. Too many decisions made for (south) Nanaimo are made by people who don't live here and their decisions seem to be exclusively interested in making money instead of putting what's good for the local community first. These people can't and/or don't truly care what goes on here because it isn't in their backyard. 

From what I've read about Gordon so far, I like that he's involved in a number of different programs in the community. Oh heck, if that's not the understatement of the century. This guy is a part of almost every social advocacy group in the city! He obviously has an interest in making things better and is aware of the many real problems our community faces. 

I'm looking forward to hearing more about Gord's vision for the city.