Uytae Lee, from About Here, in partnership with SFU’s Renovate the Public Hearing Initiative, last week dropped a nifty 15-minute video on Why public hearings are undemocratic (and mostly meaningless). The video touches on public hearings, why they are problematic, and ways to fix the problems. The video provides good discussion fodder. I summarize […]
Consider Maslow’s hierarchy in response to NIMBY development concerns
June 11, 2024 by · Leave a Comment
As part of the City of Victoria’s 10-Year Official Community Plan (OCP) Update, last Saturday, I attended an OCP engagement event at my local (James Bay Neighbourhood) community centre. Like many urban neighbourhoods, mine is diverse. There’s a range of people, places and opinions. A common divergence of opinion that comes up circles around the […]
How going “gender-free” is changing the Victoria Contra Dance community
May 9, 2024 by · Leave a Comment
This past Saturday night, I was at my local Victoria Contra Dance, dancing “gender-free”. Aside from the pandemic years, I’ve been attending these dances for 15+ years. When I go, I’m there solely as a dancer. In earlier times, I was part of a Celtic band that played for the dancers. Miss those days, yet […]
Field notes on advocating for low-income seniors
March 24, 2024 by · Leave a Comment
Mabel is direct in her communications. Aged 67, of low-income, her tenancy at-risk, and loaded with all sorts of health concerns, Mabel leaves no doubts. She isn’t ready to give up. She wants to maintain her independence for as long as possible. She just needs help doing that. Seniors’ Entitlement Services Mabel’s attitude typifies that […]
Conflict in my neighbourhood and on the high seas
October 17, 2022 by · Leave a Comment
This picture below is from a feature article in (UK’s) The Guardian last July. This is where I live. The breakwater walkway on the left side of the picture is a 10 minute walk from my James Bay neighbourhood residence in Victoria. Across the waters rise up the Olympic Mountains. A beautiful landscape, except… The […]
