Comments on: Council okays tiny increase to help libraries in final budget

By: Westender

Westender — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:43:20 +0000

Yes, the budget fretting does appear to have been a whole lot of hot air. Council created the spectre of a $63 million budget “shortfall” and then set about undertaking funding decisions that suited their purposes. Even though two-thirds of Vancouver property owners said they were comfortable with a tax increase that would protect all services, City Council blew a bunch of hot air and ignored these property owners in adopting a budget that will damage this city for years to come. I’ve said it in the past, and I will say it again here: residential taxes in the City of Vancouver are a bargain. It is shameful what Vision Vancouver has done and will do to this city. Each time I see the stump of a non-replaced street tree I will be reminded to do what I can to ensure these people are not re-elected.

By: Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:23:14 +0000

The budget fretting, particularly about the farmyard and the conservatory, are a whole lot of hot air:

http://bit.ly/6Bwc9S

By: gasp

gasp — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:48:32 +0000

Most of the residents I’ve talked to over the past few days are VERY unhappy with the service cuts – and especially with the decision to close the Bloedel Conservatory.

None of these cuts would have been necessary if Council had better oversight over the real costs that it’s approving every day, every time it approves a plan or an idea that staff recommend without asking how much it will cost. As long as Council myopically looks only at the perceived benefits of some course of action, Vancouver taxpayers will continue to see taxes increase while services decrease.

Many people believe this Council treats the public as if it’s superfluous to their decision- making process. If they continue act this way, I think they’ll find that their “honeymoon” will be over as soon as the Olympics are finished.

By: Wally

Wally — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:22:42 +0000

but heh, we’ve got fancy new leased space for the engineers! you know; those guys that dug up, repaved, dug up. repaved, Cambie between Broadway and 10th FOUR times to get it right while constructing the Canada Line. Their excuse? “There’s a lot of services down there”. Well duh.

By: Stuart Mackinnon

Stuart Mackinnon — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:48:00 +0000

The Park Board cut more than two items: expect to see more garbage in your local park–collection will be reduced; fewer flowers at Queen Elizabeth park; longer grass on boulevards and verges; and expect to see the Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park Farmyard either closed or in private hands. There will be service reductions at Community Centres; an after school program will not be funded; the Active Communities program will be ended; and less maintenance at your local community centre. And of course there will be fewer trees on the sides of our streets.

By: Not Running for Mayor

Not Running for Mayor — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:11:09 +0000

The city worked on saving what needed to be saved by the city. The two items that the parks board cut were cut intentional. No need to fret though both of them will be saved shortly by good samartians. It will be a Christmas miracle.