Two North Vans too many?

By Todd Coyne - North Shore Outlook

Published: January 25, 2012 12:00 PM
Updated: January 26, 2012 6:33 PM

For as long as the iconic twin peaks of The Lions have towered over the North Shore, there’s been talk of “harmonizing” their stony redundancies and making do with just one. Well, almost.

In truth, the ongoing North Vancouver amalgamation debate — as perennial to the North Shore landscape as snow atop those granite peaks — officially got its start on Oct. 23, 1957.

That’s when, according to District of North Vancouver records, the first committee was set up to look for cost efficiencies in uniting the two North Vans. Studies were done and referenda were held throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. But the idea — while polling well in the district — never held as much sway in the city.

That may be changing. Read more...

November 2011 Political Sweep Strategy in Mission Municipal Election in a Nutshell

The following description was written by Jeff Jewell, District of Mission Councillor.

To whom it may concern, 

Our organization began as a group of citizens with common concerns.

But no party organization, bylaws or fees etc.

Our main organizer was an ex-Councillor, and he formed the team of candidates and became our campaign manager.

He also fulfilled the registration procedures for our recognition as an affiliated group on the ballot.

The team ran a single campaign, with each candidate putting up $1500 for signs and advertising.

Our main advertising was a monthly publication 8-12 pages delivered as a flyer to every household by Canada Post.

As our sweep showed, this is a powerful strategy against the great advantages of incumbents,
presuming you can expose some areas of vulnerability that resonate with voters.

Jeff

PS: Our publication was titled The Mission Messenger.  The website shows the first several issues [but wasn't
updated during the actual campaign]:

http://missionmessenger.com/

DNV's lines of communication cloudy

BY DAVID KNEE, NORTH SHORE NEWS JANUARY 20, 2012

An open letter to the District of North Vancouver mayor and Council:

I find it strange that all of council expressed concern about the low voter turnout in the recent municipal election, but the actions of this council over the past few years has been getting more negative towards the residents with respect to credible communication and input into district matters. read more...http://www.nsnews.com/technology/lines+communication+cloudy/6025408/story.html

Clark returns more gaming revenue

Arts groups point out the rate of return still not the original 33%   


NORTH Shore arts groups are giving mixed reviews to Premier Christy Clark's announcement that they will have some of their gaming revenues restored..... Read more: 

Food for thought letter

DNV needs tax-calming measures

 

 

BY ELIAS B. MERKINS, NORTH SHORE NEWS JANUARY 4, 2012

 

 

Dear Editor:

The District of North Vancouver's proposal to charge residents of a specific area for local improvement projects such as traffic calming is nothing more than a new attempt to increase property taxes (DNV May Alter Traffic Calming Process, Dec. 11, North Shore News).

They suggest that if 60 per cent of the residents are in favour of the improvements then they will be done and charged to that individual area. I wonder if we, as taxpayers, would be allowed to approve with the same 60 per cent ratio all new staff hirings, administration expenses and other costs that arise in the district. Instead of looking to find efficiencies, they keep coming up with new and innovative ways of increasing taxes.

It is time to change this mentality.

Local improvements to garbage collection, roads and infrastructure are the expenses, between other things, that should be covered by more efficiently using our taxes.

Elias B. Merkins West Vancouver

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Read any good books lately?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Everyone loves a good book especially one on politics! Perhaps you received or gave a book this Christmas that you would recommend or you have past reading references that you would like to share with other bloggers here on North Vancouver Politics.com