(Aired on February 8, 2010)
The current minor controversy regarding whether or not officials should be using complementary tickets to Olympics events is too much ado about nothing. Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar is among those using tickets provided by various groups, in his case the B.C. Lottery Corporation. Other officials, like the Mayor of Chilliwack, have opted not to. In my view, it's an individual decision, and as long as it's transparent, I don't really see a problem. If our Mayor can use the event to do some networking on behalf of the city, what's the problem? City officials get invited to events all the time. In many cases, they get a free ticket for themselves, and perhaps their spouse. There may be some who see that as a conflict of interest. They believe that there should not only be no conflict, there should be no perception of a conflict. But we expect our civic officials to be at various events to represent us, and to glad hand the public. I don't think that's a bad thing.
And, again, as long as it's transparent, it's not an issue. It doesn't make a councilor a bad person, or a shady character, as some would have you believe. Some see this as an issue. I think they're really being silly if they think a councilor would give a benefit to a company because they got a ticket to a dinner. But they're entitled to their opinion. Unless the taxpayers are going to give the Mayor and Council a much bigger expense account, it's a moot point for me.
I know there are some self-righteous people out there who would argue against my views, but I guess that's their right. We've had this issue in newsrooms across the country over the years. Some, for example, never go to a function unless their company pays the freight for the ticket. They don't want to be seen as taking "favours" from someone. And that's OK. Many functions have media tables where the media can sit to cover an event, and they don't have to eat the dinner if they don't want, to show how pure they are.
But events for mayor and council are a little different, and part of their responsibility is to be in the public and represent the taxpayers. As far as Mayor Milobar's trip to the opening ceremonies goes, Peter, have a great time, enjoy the event, and forget about those who for some reason can't see the bigger picture.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Party's at Sun Peaks
(Aired on February 5, 2010)
I'm surprised it's taken this long for controversy over partiers at Sun Peaks to come to light. Some residents who live at the Peaks are upset with the constant partying of some of their neighbours. Well, not their neighbours per se. For the most part, they are people who are renting their neighbour's homes. Hotel operators and residents alike are upset at some who rent their properties out to partiers on a nightly basis, almost like a hotel. They are noisy, and mostly pains in the butt.
Unfortunately, they are prevalent in places like Sun Peaks, just like they are at the Shuswap in the summer time. I don't know how you can avoid it. I sympathize with the residents who want to enjoy a beautiful life at the mountain, or on the lake. But I don't know what control they might have over the idiots who create the problems.
I'm not familiar with the developmental rules at the hill. I know things like time shares are commonplace in some resorts, and I'm not sure whether or not all subdivisions in a place like Sun Peaks operate under the same guidelines. But if there are rules in place, they should be followed, and should be enforced. If people are renting out their places illegally, they should be fined. Unfortunately, there are many ways around the rules, and people bent on bending them won't have any trouble doing so.
The issue is not as easily resolved as some might think. Resorts, and recreational properties in general, definitely have a different set of guidelines than subdivisions within a city. Whereas I should expect to be able to enjoy peace and quiet in my own home in the city, if I own a property in a resort area, like Sun Peaks or the Shuswap, should I expect the same rights, when there are revellers out enjoying themselves on a summer or winter evening?
It's not an easy situation to resolve, but the TNRD needs to get a handle on it. It's obviously a concern, and it needs to be dealt with before it blows totally out of proportion. I like my peace and quiet, and I wouldn't probably buy a place where partying is part of the atmosphere. On the other hand, where does the line get drawn between a fun time and all-out stupidness. That's the issue that needs some serious attention.
I'm surprised it's taken this long for controversy over partiers at Sun Peaks to come to light. Some residents who live at the Peaks are upset with the constant partying of some of their neighbours. Well, not their neighbours per se. For the most part, they are people who are renting their neighbour's homes. Hotel operators and residents alike are upset at some who rent their properties out to partiers on a nightly basis, almost like a hotel. They are noisy, and mostly pains in the butt.
Unfortunately, they are prevalent in places like Sun Peaks, just like they are at the Shuswap in the summer time. I don't know how you can avoid it. I sympathize with the residents who want to enjoy a beautiful life at the mountain, or on the lake. But I don't know what control they might have over the idiots who create the problems.
I'm not familiar with the developmental rules at the hill. I know things like time shares are commonplace in some resorts, and I'm not sure whether or not all subdivisions in a place like Sun Peaks operate under the same guidelines. But if there are rules in place, they should be followed, and should be enforced. If people are renting out their places illegally, they should be fined. Unfortunately, there are many ways around the rules, and people bent on bending them won't have any trouble doing so.
The issue is not as easily resolved as some might think. Resorts, and recreational properties in general, definitely have a different set of guidelines than subdivisions within a city. Whereas I should expect to be able to enjoy peace and quiet in my own home in the city, if I own a property in a resort area, like Sun Peaks or the Shuswap, should I expect the same rights, when there are revellers out enjoying themselves on a summer or winter evening?
It's not an easy situation to resolve, but the TNRD needs to get a handle on it. It's obviously a concern, and it needs to be dealt with before it blows totally out of proportion. I like my peace and quiet, and I wouldn't probably buy a place where partying is part of the atmosphere. On the other hand, where does the line get drawn between a fun time and all-out stupidness. That's the issue that needs some serious attention.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Rebuilding Haiti Won't Happen Quickly
(Aired on February 4, 2010)
The magnitude 7 earthquake in Haiti occurred January 12th, and three weeks later, it's still almost impossible to get a handle on the devastation. And the scary part is that the country is in such turmoil, and the government so disorganized that people continue to die because of the incompetence.
Relief supplies not arriving in a timely manner, or stolen by corrupt public officials who sell them on the black market. Squalid conditions for survivors, large populations of small children whose parents have been killed, wandering aimlessly, starving to death, no medication, no hope for the future.
It's hard to imagine what's going on there. It would be like suddenly, everyone in the city of Vancouver was without a home, wandering in the streets, death and destruction everywhere. That's hard to imagine. So we really have difficulty forming a clear picture.
One picture that isn't too hard to form, however, is the picture of the country five years down the road. And it's not a pretty picture. With a country so unstable, it's hard to imagine changes and recovery will come quickly. When we look at the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, we realize how long it takes to rebuild after a catastrophe. Thousands and thousands are still displaced. Many neighbourhoods will never be rebuilt. We look at the problems of getting supplies to victims there. This in the most powerful and prosperous country in the world, where money and resources are not an issue. Compare that to the problems in Haiti, and you can only imagine how long it will take.
We have people from Kamloops right now helping to rebuild areas of Sri Lanka, hit by that huge tsunami in December of 2004. Rebuilding is still going on. We can't picture the sadness, outside of what we see in the news, which is nowhere near what it's like in real life. What we do know is that this country will require the world's help for a long time, and it will be decades before Haiti gets over the economic, let alone the personal destruction of that freak of nature that hit them last month.
The magnitude 7 earthquake in Haiti occurred January 12th, and three weeks later, it's still almost impossible to get a handle on the devastation. And the scary part is that the country is in such turmoil, and the government so disorganized that people continue to die because of the incompetence.
Relief supplies not arriving in a timely manner, or stolen by corrupt public officials who sell them on the black market. Squalid conditions for survivors, large populations of small children whose parents have been killed, wandering aimlessly, starving to death, no medication, no hope for the future.
It's hard to imagine what's going on there. It would be like suddenly, everyone in the city of Vancouver was without a home, wandering in the streets, death and destruction everywhere. That's hard to imagine. So we really have difficulty forming a clear picture.
One picture that isn't too hard to form, however, is the picture of the country five years down the road. And it's not a pretty picture. With a country so unstable, it's hard to imagine changes and recovery will come quickly. When we look at the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, we realize how long it takes to rebuild after a catastrophe. Thousands and thousands are still displaced. Many neighbourhoods will never be rebuilt. We look at the problems of getting supplies to victims there. This in the most powerful and prosperous country in the world, where money and resources are not an issue. Compare that to the problems in Haiti, and you can only imagine how long it will take.
We have people from Kamloops right now helping to rebuild areas of Sri Lanka, hit by that huge tsunami in December of 2004. Rebuilding is still going on. We can't picture the sadness, outside of what we see in the news, which is nowhere near what it's like in real life. What we do know is that this country will require the world's help for a long time, and it will be decades before Haiti gets over the economic, let alone the personal destruction of that freak of nature that hit them last month.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
I Hate Being Told to Shut Up
(Aired on February 3, 2010)
Since last week's editorial, in which I decried the cost of the olympics, there have been two responses. First, I received an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers and blog readers. Second are the multiple columns and blog postings that popped up shortly thereafter saying that people who are bringing up points like this should stop whining.
Don't worry, I am still insecure enough to think that this may have nothing whatsoever to do with me.
The "shut up and look happy" crowd says if the world sees dissent here, they won't want to come here, and this huge marketing experiment will have all been for naught. The problem with that argument is that - as far as i know - the demonstration of a free society does not discourage tourism, immigration or investment. I'm not actually saying there should be massive disruptions to the event. Protests are okay, though. That's what happens in the free world, and no reasonable person would judge a place solely based on that. The only thing that would tarnish a city's image is if those protestors are repressed in contravention of the universal declaration of human rights.
The "shut up and look happy" crowd has said opponents are too late to change anything. That's completely true. It would take an act of God to cancel the games, and I've long since stopped praying for that. Indeed at this point, it's not in anyone's best interest. But why should that stop people from voicing their opinion on the relative validity of something that will cost us all?
People who are trying to quiet dissent remind of me of parents begging their children to behave when company comes over. Maybe I'll react differently when my own children are old enough to frustrate my hosting efforts. For now, it just makes me want to throw a bigger tantrum, and one I won't apologize for.
Since last week's editorial, in which I decried the cost of the olympics, there have been two responses. First, I received an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers and blog readers. Second are the multiple columns and blog postings that popped up shortly thereafter saying that people who are bringing up points like this should stop whining.
Don't worry, I am still insecure enough to think that this may have nothing whatsoever to do with me.
The "shut up and look happy" crowd says if the world sees dissent here, they won't want to come here, and this huge marketing experiment will have all been for naught. The problem with that argument is that - as far as i know - the demonstration of a free society does not discourage tourism, immigration or investment. I'm not actually saying there should be massive disruptions to the event. Protests are okay, though. That's what happens in the free world, and no reasonable person would judge a place solely based on that. The only thing that would tarnish a city's image is if those protestors are repressed in contravention of the universal declaration of human rights.
The "shut up and look happy" crowd has said opponents are too late to change anything. That's completely true. It would take an act of God to cancel the games, and I've long since stopped praying for that. Indeed at this point, it's not in anyone's best interest. But why should that stop people from voicing their opinion on the relative validity of something that will cost us all?
People who are trying to quiet dissent remind of me of parents begging their children to behave when company comes over. Maybe I'll react differently when my own children are old enough to frustrate my hosting efforts. For now, it just makes me want to throw a bigger tantrum, and one I won't apologize for.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Working to End Homelessness
(Aired on February 1, 2010)
I must laud cities like Vancouver who are anxious to make inroads into dealing with the problem of homelessness. Vancouver is looking at an action plan that will, over the next five years, come to grips with the program. Vancouver's problem is one of the most identifiable in the country. There are over 3,000 homeless in the Greater Vancouver area, and because of the climate, it's more visible than it is in many other communities.
But while I laud Vancouver's efforts, I wonder how successful they can be. This is a huge problem to defeat, partly because many of these homeless people are so seriously disenfranchised. They have become lost souls in a sea of heartbreak. They have in most cases lost contact with their families, they want to be ghosts, they don't want to reintegrate. In many case, they just want to be left alone. I've had occasion to talk to a few of them, those whose minds have been wracked by drug habits, by health issues, by mental issues, and it's absolutely the worst thing I've ever seen. The people who work with the homeless are heroes in my books. The people who run the shelters, trying to reach out to those on the street, they do absolutely magnificent work. But despite their best efforts, the problems continue.
And they're not easy to fix. Some think the government should just throw bundles at the problem, and that will cure all. Sorry, it's much for difficult than that. In fact, the problem is almost hopeless for many of these people. While we continue to need shelters, medical help and ways to meet some of their needs, the real issue is finding ways to plug up the cracks that allow these people to get to where they find their only solution is to get out in the streets to live.
This is a tough problem to deal with. It's a tragedy, and there is no real easy fix. At least Vancouver and other communities are making an effort. That's a start.
I must laud cities like Vancouver who are anxious to make inroads into dealing with the problem of homelessness. Vancouver is looking at an action plan that will, over the next five years, come to grips with the program. Vancouver's problem is one of the most identifiable in the country. There are over 3,000 homeless in the Greater Vancouver area, and because of the climate, it's more visible than it is in many other communities.
But while I laud Vancouver's efforts, I wonder how successful they can be. This is a huge problem to defeat, partly because many of these homeless people are so seriously disenfranchised. They have become lost souls in a sea of heartbreak. They have in most cases lost contact with their families, they want to be ghosts, they don't want to reintegrate. In many case, they just want to be left alone. I've had occasion to talk to a few of them, those whose minds have been wracked by drug habits, by health issues, by mental issues, and it's absolutely the worst thing I've ever seen. The people who work with the homeless are heroes in my books. The people who run the shelters, trying to reach out to those on the street, they do absolutely magnificent work. But despite their best efforts, the problems continue.
And they're not easy to fix. Some think the government should just throw bundles at the problem, and that will cure all. Sorry, it's much for difficult than that. In fact, the problem is almost hopeless for many of these people. While we continue to need shelters, medical help and ways to meet some of their needs, the real issue is finding ways to plug up the cracks that allow these people to get to where they find their only solution is to get out in the streets to live.
This is a tough problem to deal with. It's a tragedy, and there is no real easy fix. At least Vancouver and other communities are making an effort. That's a start.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Kudos to Toyota
Toyota hasn't been having a lot of fun these days, thanks to accelerator pedals that stick. Every once in a while. The company has received a ton of publicity that it probably doesn't want.
But think of it this way. All car companies encounter quality problems. That's true whether its Toyota, a company with a terrific reputation for quality, or any other automobile manufacturer. Some of those quality problems turn out to be safety risks, some don't. All a company can do is try to get out in front of it as quickly as possible, spare no expense and fix the problem. It sounds like that is exactly what Toyota is doing. Good on them.
(Full disclosure: Sun Country Toyota runs advertisements with CFJC. This comment is not one of them. I've upset advertisers before, though, so I don't feel too bad.)
(UPDATE - Feb.3): Since I wrote this comment, it turns out all may not be as it seems. Yeesh.)
(ANOTHER UPDATE - Feb.4): I think it's probably time for me to take back what I said. If Prius brake pedals are now faulty, that puts Hollywood stars at risk, and I simply can't tolerate that.
But think of it this way. All car companies encounter quality problems. That's true whether its Toyota, a company with a terrific reputation for quality, or any other automobile manufacturer. Some of those quality problems turn out to be safety risks, some don't. All a company can do is try to get out in front of it as quickly as possible, spare no expense and fix the problem. It sounds like that is exactly what Toyota is doing. Good on them.
(Full disclosure: Sun Country Toyota runs advertisements with CFJC. This comment is not one of them. I've upset advertisers before, though, so I don't feel too bad.)
(UPDATE - Feb.3): Since I wrote this comment, it turns out all may not be as it seems. Yeesh.)
(ANOTHER UPDATE - Feb.4): I think it's probably time for me to take back what I said. If Prius brake pedals are now faulty, that puts Hollywood stars at risk, and I simply can't tolerate that.
Time is Now for Water Meter Decision
(Aired on January 29, 2010)
Mayor Peter Milobar is right. He says it's time for the rubble to meet the road when it comes to water meters. City Council is facing a huge spending increase for water projects, if they don't put in universal water meters. Council will be forced to spend a huge chunk of money to upgrade the Valleyview system because of increased demand. If water meters are installed, they won't have to do that for many years down the road. It's just the start of the problem.
You can say what you will, but this is a decision that has to be made now. Water rates will go up for the construction, but in the long run, it's the right thing to do. And contrary to some armchair quarterbacks, we can't go to a referendum on this. Councillors have to have the courage of their convictions and make the necessary decision. That's why we elected them. If the public doesn't like what they do, there's an election in November 2011 when they can let the council know they did or did not back their decision.
If we can reduce water consumption by 20 percent in peak periods, the savings to the system will be huge. As Kamloops continues to grow, demands will continue to be placed on our water capacity. We already know that we overwater. Water meters will help keep that in check. Let's not play around with this any more. Let's get the job underway and make the decision. Council has wasted enough time.
Mayor Peter Milobar is right. He says it's time for the rubble to meet the road when it comes to water meters. City Council is facing a huge spending increase for water projects, if they don't put in universal water meters. Council will be forced to spend a huge chunk of money to upgrade the Valleyview system because of increased demand. If water meters are installed, they won't have to do that for many years down the road. It's just the start of the problem.
You can say what you will, but this is a decision that has to be made now. Water rates will go up for the construction, but in the long run, it's the right thing to do. And contrary to some armchair quarterbacks, we can't go to a referendum on this. Councillors have to have the courage of their convictions and make the necessary decision. That's why we elected them. If the public doesn't like what they do, there's an election in November 2011 when they can let the council know they did or did not back their decision.
If we can reduce water consumption by 20 percent in peak periods, the savings to the system will be huge. As Kamloops continues to grow, demands will continue to be placed on our water capacity. We already know that we overwater. Water meters will help keep that in check. Let's not play around with this any more. Let's get the job underway and make the decision. Council has wasted enough time.
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