Vision’s fifth-place showing should be a wake-up call
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson probably has more on his mind these days than his promise to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020 and to stymie plans for Kinder Morgan’s pipeline expansion. His backyard chickens came home to roost when his party’s candidate had a miserable fifth-place finish in Saturday’s civic byelection.
Vancouver properties becoming real-estate investments for absentee overseas owners rather than affordable homes for overtaxed residents, mishandling of the city’s transportation and countless other missteps all played a part in voters sending a loud and clear message to Robertson.
Then on Monday, his counterpart in Calgary narrowly hung onto the mayor’s chair. Naheed Nenshi was elected with great fanfare in 2010, enjoyed an increased majority in 2013 and the next year received a prestigious award of World Mayor from a thinktank called the City Mayors Foundation. However, this high-profile municipal media darling was taken down to the wire by a Calgary lawyer whose campaign was not big on policy. Instead, Bill Smith focused on the need to replace an arrogant mayor who simply got too big for his boots and always claimed to be smarter than everyone else. He almost succeeded.
With Vancouver’s election just 13 months away, Robertson should take notice.
Bernie Smith, Parksville
Another Liberal mess
Reporter Sam Cooper has done extensive reporting on money laundering at the River Rock Casino, while the B.C. Liberals and the B.C. Lottery Corp. turned a blind eye to the issue. One could ask why River Rock is still in business.
In addition, illegal funds have dramatically affected the real estate market. For this, you can thank the Liberals. Our only hope is that the NDP can clean up another Liberal mess.
Edward Fox, Surrey
Lower speeds in rush hour
Tolls on the Port Mann are not the answer to the increase in crashes. Unless all bridges are tolled, it will just move the problem to other areas. What causes crashes is speed, inexperience and stupidity.
What we need is variable speed limits. There should be electronic speed signs posted according to traffic volume. Decreased speeds at rush hour and on bridge decks should decrease the problem.
People think they can still drive the posted speed limit despite gridlock. It’s time to slow people down at crunch time and on main thoroughfares. Teresa Mireault, Vancouver
Play, don’t protest
Re: Telling NFL players to ‘shut up’ isn’t good for football.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has every right to demand that National Football League players stand during the national anthem. After all, who pays their salaries? They’re paid to play a game, not protest.
Those players who feel that strongly can demonstrate on their own time, not hijack the moment of honour!
Tamara Clarke, Surrey
Tolls not the problem
The removal of bridge tolls does not cause accidents. Inattentive drivers do. Brian Barnes Steveston