Normally in camera meetings are used only to discuss legal,personnel and real estate issues.Normally discussion regarding appointments to committees are discussed in open council meetings.For some reason council went in-camera (secret closed meeting) to discuss appointments to the Arts and Culture Committee.....one can only see this as an attempt to hide personal agendas when discussing committee appointments....
In the past it has become apparent that if you speak out in public there will be a price to pay....citizens that are critical of this regime are often excluded from committees....
Many people are critical of the "anonymous " comments on this blog and I hope they are just as critical of council hiding in a closed meeting so that discussion regarding committee appointments remains "anonymous"....
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Rip Curl Stew Surf Contest !!
While it's great to see Rip Curl (multi-national surf company) putting on a contest in Tofino , it's too bad to see that they are offering a $5000 first prize for male surfers and only a $1500 prize for the top female surfer !!
What is Rip Curl trying to say to the female surfers ? I don't think it would be well received if the Olympic Federation decided that only men could compete for Gold but they'd let women take home a Bronze ?? So much for equality !
The Rip Curl Stew takes place on Cox Bay on June 11 and 12 2011.
What is Rip Curl trying to say to the female surfers ? I don't think it would be well received if the Olympic Federation decided that only men could compete for Gold but they'd let women take home a Bronze ?? So much for equality !
The Rip Curl Stew takes place on Cox Bay on June 11 and 12 2011.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tourism Tofino
Sorry , I don't have any info on the reorganization at Tourism Tofino. It is a private entity..
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Guest Editorial on Tofino Water Rates by Jackie Windh
Confirmed: Tofino water rates highest in country, and residents pay more than businesses.
It is confirmed: Tofino water rates are the highest in the country, and residents do pay more per unit volume than businesses.
Well, I knew that already.
Two years ago I presented a huge whack of data (using the District’s own numbers as well as researching those from other communities) as council was reviewing water rates and voting in a new rate structure. I volunteered a huge amount of time and analytical expertise hoping that the information that I presented would help our council with their decision-making process, and to advocate for fair water rates, where residents (who use water to support life) pay less (or at least the same, and not more) than businesses (who use water for profit-making activities and can write off their water bills at tax time).
But council ignored the data and analysis that I presented, and so did most of the people in this town. Even though being silent costs you hundreds or possibly up to a thousand extra dollars every year.
Anyway, I got a very interesting comment on the old Tofino Residents blog today (where all of my old water articles and analyses are still posted). An independent group called WaterWatchBC has undertaken an analysis of water rates across Canada, and they have confirmed that:
- Tofino has the highest water rates in the country
- Tofino has the most complex water rate system (which is why our councillors don’t understand it)
- Tofino residents do pay more per volume than Tofino businesses
You can read my original article comparing Tofino’s water rates with those of other towns, with today’s comments by WaterWatchBC here:
http://tofinoresidents.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/lets-compare-tofinos-residential-and-commercial-rates-with-other-districts/You can read my analysis of how much residents pay relative to various business categories here:
http://tofinoresidents.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/new-proposed-water-rates-residents-will-still-pay-more/#more-100
You can read my article about how complicated our rates system is here:
http://tofinoresidents.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/more-complicated-rate-system/You can review WaterWatchBC’s ranking of water rates here:
http://theinnovationarena.com/water/(Look at their chart - a $311 water bill in Port Alberni, my new home town, would be a $1098 bill here in Tofino, for the exact same usage.)
There are also lots of other articles on the Tofino Residents site that I wrote over summer and fall 2009 about our water rates, if you are interested.
And, if anyone is wondering, I gave up on that website (tagline: For people who care about community) because no one else contributed to it. I’ll leave the info on it posted, though - just like all the tsunami info I am leaving up there for y’all too. Maybe some day you guys will start standing up and speaking out, and these things might be useful to you.
It is confirmed: Tofino water rates are the highest in the country, and residents do pay more per unit volume than businesses.
Well, I knew that already.
Two years ago I presented a huge whack of data (using the District’s own numbers as well as researching those from other communities) as council was reviewing water rates and voting in a new rate structure. I volunteered a huge amount of time and analytical expertise hoping that the information that I presented would help our council with their decision-making process, and to advocate for fair water rates, where residents (who use water to support life) pay less (or at least the same, and not more) than businesses (who use water for profit-making activities and can write off their water bills at tax time).
But council ignored the data and analysis that I presented, and so did most of the people in this town. Even though being silent costs you hundreds or possibly up to a thousand extra dollars every year.
Anyway, I got a very interesting comment on the old Tofino Residents blog today (where all of my old water articles and analyses are still posted). An independent group called WaterWatchBC has undertaken an analysis of water rates across Canada, and they have confirmed that:
- Tofino has the highest water rates in the country
- Tofino has the most complex water rate system (which is why our councillors don’t understand it)
- Tofino residents do pay more per volume than Tofino businesses
You can read my original article comparing Tofino’s water rates with those of other towns, with today’s comments by WaterWatchBC here:
http://tofinoresidents.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/lets-compare-tofinos-residential-and-commercial-rates-with-other-districts/You can read my analysis of how much residents pay relative to various business categories here:
http://tofinoresidents.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/new-proposed-water-rates-residents-will-still-pay-more/#more-100
You can read my article about how complicated our rates system is here:
http://tofinoresidents.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/more-complicated-rate-system/You can review WaterWatchBC’s ranking of water rates here:
http://theinnovationarena.com/water/(Look at their chart - a $311 water bill in Port Alberni, my new home town, would be a $1098 bill here in Tofino, for the exact same usage.)
There are also lots of other articles on the Tofino Residents site that I wrote over summer and fall 2009 about our water rates, if you are interested.
And, if anyone is wondering, I gave up on that website (tagline: For people who care about community) because no one else contributed to it. I’ll leave the info on it posted, though - just like all the tsunami info I am leaving up there for y’all too. Maybe some day you guys will start standing up and speaking out, and these things might be useful to you.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Slow weekend May 23,2011
Not news but this is the slowest May long weekend I have seen in at least 15 years....
Sunday, May 22, 2011
50 kmh speed limit to Lynn rd.
It seems not many people obey the new lower speed limit to Lynn Rd.I still get passed at Mackenzie Beach while trying to travel at 50 kmh.This isn't news ,just an observation but curious to see your comments.Too bad they haven't hooked up the crosswalk lights.
Friday, May 20, 2011
More consultants needed !! May 20,2011
http://civicinfo.bc.ca/171.asp?tenderid=1973&r=1959
District of Tofino is looking to spend more money on consultants ! This time it is for a Vitalization Plan for Downtown Commercial Core. I would like to suggest that we fix up the firehall before we hire any consultants !! enough already !! Look what consultants did to the North Chestermans parking lot !! tax bills are out by the way.....
District of Tofino is looking to spend more money on consultants ! This time it is for a Vitalization Plan for Downtown Commercial Core. I would like to suggest that we fix up the firehall before we hire any consultants !! enough already !! Look what consultants did to the North Chestermans parking lot !! tax bills are out by the way.....
Thursday, May 19, 2011
More Rock Walls !! May 19,2011
The District of Tofino is allowing the construction of more rock walls prior to the adoption of a bylaw that would regulate them....go figure....access for equipment on the beach was granted by the District of Tofino....
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Assault in Ahousat !! May 15,2011
The Victoria Times Colonist reports a serious assault in Ahousaht .....
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Major+crimes+investigate+serious+assault+Ahousaht/4786968/story.html
Update : sources have told Tofinonews that the attack was fatal.....no names released at this time....condolences to the family....
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Major+crimes+investigate+serious+assault+Ahousaht/4786968/story.html
Update : sources have told Tofinonews that the attack was fatal.....no names released at this time....condolences to the family....
Saturday, May 14, 2011
BEER !!!! Feast Dock Party a Great Event !! May,14 2011
A good time was had by all at today's dock party ....Tofino Brewing Company had a booth set up and thankfully the "Fun Police " didn't arrive.....everyone was well behaved....be sure to check out other Feast events and be sure to visit Tofino Brewing Company....
Friday, May 13, 2011
Technical difficulties
Sorry about the blog being down....the problem was with the Blogger site....some comments got lost.....I'll try to get something new up tomorrow....ralph
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
vancouver by-election results
Electoral District Candidate's Ballot Name Affiliation Total Valid Votes % of Popular Vote
Vancouver-Point Grey Danielle Alie BC First 318 2.57%
Christy Clark BC Liberal Party 5,957 48.15%
David Eby BC NDP 5,656 45.72%
William Gibbens Independent 24 0.19%
Eddie Petrossian Independent 9 0.07%
Francoise Raunet Green Party of BC 408 3.30%
138 of 134 ballot boxes reported 12,372 100%
Vancouver-Point Grey Danielle Alie BC First 318 2.57%
Christy Clark BC Liberal Party 5,957 48.15%
David Eby BC NDP 5,656 45.72%
William Gibbens Independent 24 0.19%
Eddie Petrossian Independent 9 0.07%
Francoise Raunet Green Party of BC 408 3.30%
138 of 134 ballot boxes reported 12,372 100%
posting
please be civil with your comments...I've had an unusual amount of obscene and racist comments ...some comments I couldn't decipher...I won't print them...please read your comments before you hit the publish button....thank you and please support Parks and Rec
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Council bans Fun ?
This just in !!! Apparently one council member is trying to ban fun in Tofino.Several callers to TofinoNews have reported that one councilor is trying to ban liquor permits for special events such as Canada Day beer garden etc.....this is just another way that she is trying to undermine the Rec Commission...please write in if you were at the council meeting or have info....thanks,Ralph
Update !! 6:18 pm This just in !! Donna Fraser and Stephen Ashton are the District of Tofino representatives on the Committee to Approve Public Events (CAPE) This is a sub-committee of the RCMP Community Consultative Group.
Update !! 6:18 pm This just in !! Donna Fraser and Stephen Ashton are the District of Tofino representatives on the Committee to Approve Public Events (CAPE) This is a sub-committee of the RCMP Community Consultative Group.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Agenda for May 10 2011 Council Meeting
http://tofino.fileprosite.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=1736
On the agenda: Shore Vacation Rentals,Arts Grants,Tourism Tofino,Foreshore Development and who knows what In Camera ??
On the agenda: Shore Vacation Rentals,Arts Grants,Tourism Tofino,Foreshore Development and who knows what In Camera ??
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tofino Downtown Vitalization May 8,2011
http://www2.canada.com/westerly/news/story.html?id=b2bb65b7-ffb4-4e61-b240-788e07ab1f82
The Westerly News reports on the Downtown Vitalization Committee
The Westerly News reports on the Downtown Vitalization Committee
Friday, May 6, 2011
Parks and Recreation May 6,2011
I've had a few calls about Parks and Rec....apparently some on council are messing with the Parks and Rec commission ....does anyone have any substantiated information ? thanks,Ralph
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Shore Restaurant Construction Underway May 4, 2011
Construction is well underway for the new restaurant at the Shore building on Main St.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
No Pay Parking in provincial Parks !
Christy Clark has just put an end to pay parking in provincial parks !
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/05/03/bc-free-parking.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/05/03/bc-free-parking.html
Monday, May 2, 2011
North Chesterman's Parking Lot May 2,2011
How is it that we can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars,cut down a bunch of trees and end up with fewer parking spaces ? Don't forget to vote in the federal election today !