Editorial writers at the Edmonton Journal had their City of Champions shorts in a knot over public transit recently.
Seems that the creation of a new student transit pass has meant the system has "absorbed" five million more riders than expected.
This low blow to property taxpayers came about when college and university students took advantage of a annual pass that was offered at a bargain price.
The result was that student ridership averaged 40 trips per month instead of the anticipated 25. Clearly the pass price of $78.75 per year should be revisited.
But the Journal pontificators really jumped offside when they questioned the appropriateness of property taxes going to public transit. Then - a warning please move young children away from the screen - they used the S-Word (i.e., subsidy) while talking about public transit. No mention of the massive subsidies given to automobile users every day.
So Edmonton bureaucrats get the price right.
More people on public transit should be a good news story - especially in Alberta.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Learnings from Other Municipalities - Edmonton #1
Hamilton (the City of Waterfalls) has 77 or so of them and one high level bridge.
Edmonton (the City of Champions) has but one waterfall and it flows off their high level bridge, or did until this summer.
According to the Edmonton Journal, the Great Divide Waterfall which usually "operates" about five times a year is turned off until 2010.
While it is speculated that tourists will be disappointed, they'll have to wait until the city has figured a way to get the chlorine out of the water as it is detrimental to fish and natural habitats in the North Saskatchewan River.
Thirty million litres of water cascades off the bridge each year adding 0.4% of chlorinated discharge into the river.
A "hired" consultant is going to sort out the options and the cost of dechlorinating the water and report back later this year.
Disappointed tourists can, hopefully, check out some of the areas more natural water features until the taps start to flow again.
Edmonton (the City of Champions) has but one waterfall and it flows off their high level bridge, or did until this summer.
According to the Edmonton Journal, the Great Divide Waterfall which usually "operates" about five times a year is turned off until 2010.
While it is speculated that tourists will be disappointed, they'll have to wait until the city has figured a way to get the chlorine out of the water as it is detrimental to fish and natural habitats in the North Saskatchewan River.
Thirty million litres of water cascades off the bridge each year adding 0.4% of chlorinated discharge into the river.
A "hired" consultant is going to sort out the options and the cost of dechlorinating the water and report back later this year.
Disappointed tourists can, hopefully, check out some of the areas more natural water features until the taps start to flow again.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Regulating Rental Housing
Would it be a good idea for municipalities to establish “landlord registries.”
On June 1 Hamilton city staff are beginning consultation to assist in developing recommendations and an overview so that “City Council can make an informed decision on if or how rental housing should be regulated.”
Why this Review could make a Difference to Tenants
Since 2007 Ontario municipalities have had the ability to enhance existing licensing. Some municipalities are starting to take advantage of this new power in order to address health, safety, and property maintenance issues faced by tenants.
Typically, such a registry would require landlords to obtain a license and maintain their rental property and building in good condition.
New By-Law in London
Earlier this year London Ontario put in place an enforcement program focussing on addressing substandard housing conditions in areas of the city known for deficient housing conditions. A plan to cover the whole city is in the works.
Considerable opposition to the London initiative came from property mangers and landlords. They argued that the regulation was another tax; municipalities already have the tools to inspect buildings; and that the cost of licensing fees will be passed down to the tenant.
Other Places, Other Approaches
Other cities like Ottawa are moving ahead with the backing of tenants’ groups. Oshawa was the first out of the starting blocks, however, it designed its registry to cover a particular section of the city where students are housed. This presents human rights issues.
Toronto has gone in a different direction. Last year the Centre of the Universe launched a Multi-Residential Apartment Building Audit and enforcement program that will provide inspection and enforcement action on at least 176 of the City's rental buildings in the first year of a pilot project. Toronto is doing this audit with existing resources. A fee of $60 per hour will be charged to the building for each visit after the second inspection until an order is completed to meet bylaw or provincial requirements
There are different approaches possible. It’s important, though, that as municipalities begin to look at developing these polices tenant voices are heard.
You can be sure that landlords will represent their interests.
(This is an edited version of an article that appeared earlier on the Hamilton Spectator's Poverty blog - No Excuses)
On June 1 Hamilton city staff are beginning consultation to assist in developing recommendations and an overview so that “City Council can make an informed decision on if or how rental housing should be regulated.”
Why this Review could make a Difference to Tenants
Since 2007 Ontario municipalities have had the ability to enhance existing licensing. Some municipalities are starting to take advantage of this new power in order to address health, safety, and property maintenance issues faced by tenants.
Typically, such a registry would require landlords to obtain a license and maintain their rental property and building in good condition.
New By-Law in London
Earlier this year London Ontario put in place an enforcement program focussing on addressing substandard housing conditions in areas of the city known for deficient housing conditions. A plan to cover the whole city is in the works.
Considerable opposition to the London initiative came from property mangers and landlords. They argued that the regulation was another tax; municipalities already have the tools to inspect buildings; and that the cost of licensing fees will be passed down to the tenant.
Other Places, Other Approaches
Other cities like Ottawa are moving ahead with the backing of tenants’ groups. Oshawa was the first out of the starting blocks, however, it designed its registry to cover a particular section of the city where students are housed. This presents human rights issues.
Toronto has gone in a different direction. Last year the Centre of the Universe launched a Multi-Residential Apartment Building Audit and enforcement program that will provide inspection and enforcement action on at least 176 of the City's rental buildings in the first year of a pilot project. Toronto is doing this audit with existing resources. A fee of $60 per hour will be charged to the building for each visit after the second inspection until an order is completed to meet bylaw or provincial requirements
There are different approaches possible. It’s important, though, that as municipalities begin to look at developing these polices tenant voices are heard.
You can be sure that landlords will represent their interests.
(This is an edited version of an article that appeared earlier on the Hamilton Spectator's Poverty blog - No Excuses)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Get out of My Ward
We didn’t have e-mail back in the nineties so when I’d see the Ward 7 Councillor on my turf in Ward 8 I simply yell at him to get out of my ward.
This seemed very funny to both of us in those days. After all we were Councillors who served the whole city and ward boundaries were arbitrary and frequently adjusted as the city’s population shifted.
However, based on a small piece in the Toronto Star this past Friday such encroachments are now pretty serious stuff.
“Stop messing in my ward or there will be problems, Ward 18 Toronto Councillor Adam Giambrone e-mailed fellow Councillor Cesar Palacio of Ward 17.
Giambrone continued: “I generally ignore your actions, but I am going to start looking for ways to cause trouble for you and when I start you’re not going to appreciate it.”
Not surprisingly Palacio has complained to the City’s integrity commissioner.
My method from the nineties - just shouting - was probably as effective and didn’t leave a paper trail.
This seemed very funny to both of us in those days. After all we were Councillors who served the whole city and ward boundaries were arbitrary and frequently adjusted as the city’s population shifted.
However, based on a small piece in the Toronto Star this past Friday such encroachments are now pretty serious stuff.
“Stop messing in my ward or there will be problems, Ward 18 Toronto Councillor Adam Giambrone e-mailed fellow Councillor Cesar Palacio of Ward 17.
Giambrone continued: “I generally ignore your actions, but I am going to start looking for ways to cause trouble for you and when I start you’re not going to appreciate it.”
Not surprisingly Palacio has complained to the City’s integrity commissioner.
My method from the nineties - just shouting - was probably as effective and didn’t leave a paper trail.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Making Burlington Prosperous
During my lunch hour yesterday I had a terrific idea for boosting Burlington’s economic prospects.
It involves Oakville, polling and drive-thrus.
You see the Town of Oakville apparently has concerns about the negative impacts drive- thrus at banks and fast food locations might be having on their beautiful town.
So they decided to get input from the public.
I’ve made mine already – ban these environmental disasters - that’s what I say.
And if these out-of -touch Oakvillians – the fools – are taken in by a manipulated internet poll and really go ahead and regulate drive-thrus think what that could mean for our fine city.
Townies from the east will be flocking here in the thousands so they can bank on their backsides and roll up the rim without breaking a sweat.
It is called O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y. And with some innovative thinking we can really take this one to the bank. Think drive-thru funeral homes, weddings. The mind boggles.
Vote on the Oakville poll at www.oakville.ca. Vote early and often.
It involves Oakville, polling and drive-thrus.
You see the Town of Oakville apparently has concerns about the negative impacts drive- thrus at banks and fast food locations might be having on their beautiful town.
So they decided to get input from the public.
I’ve made mine already – ban these environmental disasters - that’s what I say.
And if these out-of -touch Oakvillians – the fools – are taken in by a manipulated internet poll and really go ahead and regulate drive-thrus think what that could mean for our fine city.
Townies from the east will be flocking here in the thousands so they can bank on their backsides and roll up the rim without breaking a sweat.
It is called O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y. And with some innovative thinking we can really take this one to the bank. Think drive-thru funeral homes, weddings. The mind boggles.
Vote on the Oakville poll at www.oakville.ca. Vote early and often.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Police Budgets
There was a day when, through a procedural quirk that I, a simple Ward Councillor, was poised to freeze the police budget.
This was when I was Regional Councillor and had for a year ascended to the lofty heights of budget committee member. (There were only four on the committee and that oddity presented the procedural opportunity, as I recall.)
Long story short: I had , of course, over rated my procedural prowess and the police got their money as they always do.
I was reminded of this today upon reading a report in the Stratford Beacon-Herald that notes that the small southwestern town of St. Mary’s is considering other policing arrangements after the police budget (for the OPP in this case) is expected to escalate by 82%. Mayor Jamie Hahn calls it “outrageous and unreasonable.” Other communities - Oxford County and Sarnia have similar issues according to the story by Laura Cudworth.
But the real story here should be:
POLICE EXPENDITURES OUT OF CONTROL
This has been the case for some time. For many reasons police budgets get measured by a different standard than other areas of the municipal budget.
Not to suggest there is a simple solution for municipal politicians. In fact, the escalating costs are probably beyond their control.
I drove like an undertaker for some time after my fifteen minutes of oppositional fame. To this day I bet there is no one who does the textbook perfect lane changes that I do.
This was when I was Regional Councillor and had for a year ascended to the lofty heights of budget committee member. (There were only four on the committee and that oddity presented the procedural opportunity, as I recall.)
Long story short: I had , of course, over rated my procedural prowess and the police got their money as they always do.
I was reminded of this today upon reading a report in the Stratford Beacon-Herald that notes that the small southwestern town of St. Mary’s is considering other policing arrangements after the police budget (for the OPP in this case) is expected to escalate by 82%. Mayor Jamie Hahn calls it “outrageous and unreasonable.” Other communities - Oxford County and Sarnia have similar issues according to the story by Laura Cudworth.
But the real story here should be:
POLICE EXPENDITURES OUT OF CONTROL
This has been the case for some time. For many reasons police budgets get measured by a different standard than other areas of the municipal budget.
Not to suggest there is a simple solution for municipal politicians. In fact, the escalating costs are probably beyond their control.
I drove like an undertaker for some time after my fifteen minutes of oppositional fame. To this day I bet there is no one who does the textbook perfect lane changes that I do.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Municipalities and Health Care
Battles to preserve health care are being fought in many small Ontario municipalities.
Residents and Councils are fighting the closing and potential closing of emergency rooms in their local hospitals.
Seaforth Community Hospital was reduced to a 12 hour operation early this year.
“Cutting ER services is a direct response to the financial pressures on the health care system,” says Michael Hurley, President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions OCHU/CUPE.
Hurley’s union represented 40 workers who lost their jobs at the Huron County hospital.
But this is about more than jobs. It’s about keeping our communities healthy.
In Petrolia the ER was “saved” in February after a huge public outcry and a threat by six doctors to resign if it was closed.
Meanwhile, in the nearby southwestern town of Wallaceburg the sparring is just beginning to protect the Sydenham District Hospital ER. Two hundred residents attended a first meeting. A rally in a supermarket parking lot planned by Save Our Sydenham (SOS) Committee will certainly draw a bigger crowd.
Fort Erie and Port Colborne are in similar predicaments. A resolution by Fort Erie Council calls for public election of all hospital boards and
legislative protection for rural hospitals More than fifty-eight Ontario communities have supported it according to Port Colborne’s website.
Many blame Local Health Integration Networks (LINH’s) for this development.
Queen’s Park “essentially established the mandate the LHINs are now carrying out. I believe that health care in rural Ontario is being systematically withdrawn. This is not acceptable and is a direct reversal of Premier Dalton McGuinty's own promise to us to protect the small rural hospital and their ability to serve..,” charged Port Colborne Mayor Vance Badawey.
All of us should be paying attention to how this plays out.
Residents and Councils are fighting the closing and potential closing of emergency rooms in their local hospitals.
Seaforth Community Hospital was reduced to a 12 hour operation early this year.
“Cutting ER services is a direct response to the financial pressures on the health care system,” says Michael Hurley, President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions OCHU/CUPE.
Hurley’s union represented 40 workers who lost their jobs at the Huron County hospital.
But this is about more than jobs. It’s about keeping our communities healthy.
In Petrolia the ER was “saved” in February after a huge public outcry and a threat by six doctors to resign if it was closed.
Meanwhile, in the nearby southwestern town of Wallaceburg the sparring is just beginning to protect the Sydenham District Hospital ER. Two hundred residents attended a first meeting. A rally in a supermarket parking lot planned by Save Our Sydenham (SOS) Committee will certainly draw a bigger crowd.
Fort Erie and Port Colborne are in similar predicaments. A resolution by Fort Erie Council calls for public election of all hospital boards and
legislative protection for rural hospitals More than fifty-eight Ontario communities have supported it according to Port Colborne’s website.
Many blame Local Health Integration Networks (LINH’s) for this development.
Queen’s Park “essentially established the mandate the LHINs are now carrying out. I believe that health care in rural Ontario is being systematically withdrawn. This is not acceptable and is a direct reversal of Premier Dalton McGuinty's own promise to us to protect the small rural hospital and their ability to serve..,” charged Port Colborne Mayor Vance Badawey.
All of us should be paying attention to how this plays out.
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