Looked to me like Bob McPherson overstepped his job description and appointed himself "treaty negotiation agent" .
Chalmers says that this "eco service fee" idea came from council, that she was, and is, completely aware of everything about it. Strange how candidate Law was totally surprised by even seeing it on the agenda.
I also note that candidate McQuade was also a part of the council who were in support of sneaking this extra 1% tax increase onto the backs of Tofino's taxpayers.
An Council to Council meeting between Tofino and TFN occurred in April 2020. Osborne, Chalmers, McQuade, Law & Stere were attendees, Anderson & McMaster absent. May explain why Chalmers was aware of this and some others not.
Eco-service fee? If you put eco-in front of anything disgusting does that make it acceptable? Apparently this counsel thinks so. Eco-extortion. Sounds official. Eco-treaty negotiation agent. Eco-agent. Children at play with government. Eco-government transcends the municipal act and Canadian law. Just like that. a few people declare something and the next thing you know that's the way it is.
You know, that if you think Tofino's water supply should be secure and free from political reach you are a RACIST. It is that simple folks. All those who think this way should just pack up and move, now. I used to consider myself a very liberal minded person. Wanted everyones rights respected. Wanted everyone to get along peacefully. One day I turned on the TV and found out that everyone had pressing important rights but me. I had no rights at all anymore.
So I turned off the TV, but it didn't help. It just got worse. So now I speak my mind and they take a sort of club and wack me, read exclude and shame me. Nothing physical so far. So much for diversity and inclusion. Got little left but my personal pride. but they can't take that away, can they? try as they might. Expressing myself like this is dangerous some one told me, best stay silent, and invisible.
Some are saying that the proposed 1% gift to First Nations Tribal Park Alliance is the way things are headed as a justification for Tofino to go there. But I missed the directive. Did the federal or provincial gov't instruct or order Tofino to make such a deal. Have the courts come down with some ruling exclusively for Tofino's water system. Did I miss that? So if this is the way things are going, I missed that Ucluelet is going to be taxed for the reservoir and pump house at the junction. Are municipalities lining up across the country to make this move? I missed that too. Gee you'd have thought there would at least have been an article in the news paper or something. But one thing is becoming clear. Some councillors are wanting very much to lead the way. They want to be first, and that tells you every thing about why this is happening here. Their self righteousness forbids consideration of anything practical, like looking at the consequences or like trying to defend the community.
And by saying, this is the way things are going, as a way to justify their proposals, the only justification possible, is that it is a necessary move. It is a obvious a move in the chess games being played. Yep it's a move. A really really stupid one. And it stinks.
Some enterprising reporter should ask the former mayor what she thinks of the 1% from her new perch as minister of municipal affairs - and what she thinks of the backlash. And as minister, does she have plans for other communities to share their money with local first nations
Between Bob and Nyla, their salaries total to over $260,000 per year. They both have put multiple work hours into this "eco service fee project", solely because Bob decided to do so. He received no instructions from council to do this. Perhaps, one day, he had nothing else to do, so he adopted it as a "make work" project? Why else? Whatever his reason, it resulted in a lot of work being done by staff, which now gets thrown out. (Nyla's entire presentation needs to be done over again). The taxpayers of Tofino are paying for all of this.
Let's hope that our new mayor will "crack the whip" in the district office and put a stop to this type of needless expense to the electorate. When I hear reports of staff campaigning for Law and McQuade, I understand. They're afraid that someone (Belanger), with management capabilities, just might walk into the office and put a stop to this type of behavior. The days of the tail shaking the dog might be coming to an end. It can't happen too soon.
Well, wasn’t that revealing. First off, it was good to finally see some discussion happening in council and that it wasn’t lockstep thinking. Also, it was gratifying to see council vote down the bylaw as presented. Well done all those of you who submitted your concerns to council. This is how democracy works.
First the good. Kudos to Councillors Stere, McMaster and Anderson for providing somewhat more balanced statements. Stere recognized and thanked residents for their letters, McMaster brought it back to infrastructure concerns (which after all is what council is there for), and Anderson spoke about some of the background. Moving from the good to the bad, Councillor Chalmers showed how she feels about democracy and representing the people of Tofino. She identified that the Ecosystem Service Fee (ESF) was dreamed up by council (hmmm, I wonder) during their strategic planning session and was an idea of which they were “unanimously proud”. (Did they vote on that?!). In the strategic planning meeting they were discussing how they could be better both as individuals and as members leading our community. What this reveals is that the ESF is tied up in very strong emotions of pride and ego.
Which leads me to the ugly. CAO MacPherson admitted that he was responsible for adding the 1% ESF to the bylaw at this time, even though in their own strategic planning report this was the time (quarter 1) during which they were to explore the idea. Is MacPherson going rogue? Does he disdain council and residents by enacting his ideas and his alone? Does he think so highly of himself that only he knows what Tofino needs? I hope, without any real expectation, that council will take him to task for that action. If they don’t, just who is running this town? This is not the first time this suggestion has been made. Mr. MacPherson has become very comfortable in his position. But, it didn’t stop there. MacPherson then insults the residents of Tofino and those of you who submitted your concerns by saying “I thought we were further along than that.” And of course, accused us of being “racist”.
By writing this I have no doubt that Chalmers and CAO MacPherson will label me racist. How else to silence opposition to an idea in which they are so heavily invested. And that is exactly what both Chalmers and MacPherson are doing.
As all the councillors mentioned, this is not over yet. The idea is to do a better job of “educating” us. To present us with the ‘background’. And as Chalmers states, she hopes “we will listen with fresh ears and ask informed and engaged questions.” Well, Ms. Chalmers, I suggest that you need to open your ears and listen to the informed and engaged public to get the background.
Since the Strategic Planning meeting back in September I can recall no efforts to solicit the public on how we feel about this scheme. The residents of Tofino came through in spades to loudly and unequivocally state their concerns. It is time Council listen to the people of the town and not try to push through their harebrained schemes that threaten the very existence of our town while condemning the people that live here for disagreeing. Keep making your voices heard because, as all the councillors mentioned, this is not over yet.
Obviously this idea of an Ecosystem Service Fee is not going to disappear. Chairman Bob and the council are very keen to show their leadership in the brave new world of reconciliation. Never mind that the Provincial and Federal governments have clearly defined rules and regulations for watersheds and municipal water supplies. Never mind that no other community has done this. Never mind that this could set a dangerous precedent. Never mind that there is a process for negotiating Treaty, that does not directly involve municipal government. I am sure there is more, but you get the idea. No, once again this council and CAO want to overstep what a municipal council is there to do. They want to be heroic and demonstrate to everyone that they CARE. Whether it is about climate change, reconciliation, affordable housing, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice if once in a while they cared about the residents of Tofino?
I’m getting lots of comments that are too long for this platform to post. Also lots that can’t be printed for a variety of reasons. I understand your anger with this council.
I think it is to everyone's advantage that all relavent parties participate and negotiate a treaty settlement. The longer it goes the more the options narrow, the more complex the situation becomes. It is now, what? 30 years since the injunction was placed on Meares Island, stopping the cutting. Supposedly till a treaty was in place. That is the only way all parties will get the clarity we need. The current situation is untenable. Witness recent events which only sow the seeds of reaction and mistrust. Do the right thing. Treaty Please.
Obviously led by Feds, Prov and local First Nations. Try not to get in the way Tofino
Exactly doing unnecessary side deals of no value for Tofino taxpayers is absurd. One must not forget it was suggested in the past in a council meeting that the water could be cut off.
So that makes the present asking for money sound an awful lot like the following scenario:
Someone comes to your door and suggests to you that they could offer you some protection for a fee. You argue and then the suggestion becomes a well if you don’t pay this could happen. You tell the Someone to leave and then you report the incident to the police.
there is only the human race. no other races. that is a construct from an obsolete past which used the concept of different races to rationalize all kinds of horrendous treatment of each other. time to grow up and be kind to all of us.
I think you guys are delusional if you think JJ is going to solve all the issues you have with our municipal government. I mean, you'd be delusional to think that of anyone, but holy heck he is not suited for the role of Mayor, I don't think he even understands what he can and cannot do in the role. This is going to lead to a lot of watery time and money while he attempts to navigate something he doesn't understand while everyone else picks up the pieces around him. My money's on Dan.
One of the reasons that staff and administrator are running the operation is because the last couple of mayors had absolutely no experience running any sort of company. But since they were elected it was easy enough to just go along with most of what the staff was doing and they could figure it out as they went along. It didn't happen like that. Staff ended up driving the boat and nobody had any idea where the rocks were or where it was shallow. They just did whatever they felt like. There are some assumptions being made about who has any experience running a corporation and dealing with staff. More like who doesn't have that experience. Something to think about.
Dan and Andrea’s voting records speak for themselves . Except for those votes held In secret meetings behind closed doors. The have both drank the Kool-Aid and speak like politicians. They are both too cozy with current staff . JJ Belanger might also drink the Kool-Aid but so far he hasn’t . He is the only choice to invoke real change and therefore has my vote.
Ironic or what. Town struggling to get 1% of tourist business or go broke facing rising costs. Then businesses give it to Tribal Parks. Why??? Simple business promotion strategy. Read "virtue signalling" Town wants to give 1% of water and sewer rates to Tribal Parks while facing massive costs of sewage treatment Read, going broke on backs of taxpayers.
Guy who earns biggest salary in whole town (likely costing us over $200,000.00/per annum, all in) tells ordinary folks they are racist if they think they should have opinions about how their money is spent. Turns first Nations people into some fetish, incapable of mischief. Read better than human. Read better than you.
Ironic or what. Town struggling to get 1% of tourist business or go broke facing rising costs. Then businesses give it to Tribal Parks. Why??? Simple business promotion strategy. Read "virtue signalling" Town wants to give 1% of water and sewer rates to Tribal Parks while facing massive costs of sewage treatment Read, going broke on backs of taxpayers.
Guy who earns biggest salary in whole town (likely costing us over $200,000.00/per annum, all in) tells ordinary folks they are racist if they think they should have opinions about how their money is spent. Turns first Nations people into some fetish, incapable of mischief. Read better than human. Read better than you.
Tofino’s tourism industry generates $240 million of economic impact, according to the town’s destination marketing organization Tourism Tofino.
Tourism Tofino announced the staggering figure in a media release on Tuesday that explained an economic impact and visitation study conducted by InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. found that tourism supports 2,670 direct jobs—1,720 full-time equivalent jobs—generating $60 million in annual wages.
The release adds that Tofino hosted an estimated 600,000 visitors in 2018 and that local businesses serving those visitors contribute over $57 million in municipal, provincial and federal tax revenues.
“This comprehensive and robust study verifies the vital role that tourism plays in sustaining our community, delivering revenue to fund and support infrastructure and services, and contributing to the quality of life we enjoy as residents,” said Tourism Tofino chair J.J. Belanger.
7:44 did you know JJ sites on a Tribal Park Allies Advisory Board? JJ is not a business leader he is a board "sitter" and manager. His business expertise is limited at best. I support sound representation from all stakeholders. I would like to see JJ run for council not as Mayor I would like to see all community voices heard. I would also like the secret adjendas and political motives revealed.
I guess you don't know me. Board governance is a key to being a good Mayor. If you do not think I have over 35 years of management experience with multiple projects under my watch of over $50 million you're sadly mistaken. Don't believe I can do this just watch.
Looked to me like Bob McPherson overstepped his job description and appointed himself "treaty negotiation agent" .
ReplyDeleteChalmers says that this "eco service fee" idea came from council, that she was, and is, completely aware of everything about it. Strange how candidate Law was totally surprised by even seeing it on the agenda.
I also note that candidate McQuade was also a part of the council who were in support of sneaking this extra 1% tax increase onto the backs of Tofino's taxpayers.
An Council to Council meeting between Tofino and TFN occurred in April 2020. Osborne, Chalmers, McQuade, Law & Stere were attendees, Anderson & McMaster absent. May explain why Chalmers was aware of this and some others not.
ReplyDeleteEco-service fee? If you put eco-in front of anything disgusting does that make it acceptable? Apparently this counsel thinks so. Eco-extortion. Sounds official. Eco-treaty negotiation agent. Eco-agent. Children at play with government. Eco-government transcends the municipal act and Canadian law. Just like that. a few people declare something and the next thing you know that's the way it is.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that if you think Tofino's water supply should be secure and free from political reach you are a RACIST. It is that simple folks. All those who think this way should just pack up and move, now. I used to consider myself a very liberal minded person. Wanted everyones rights respected. Wanted everyone to get along peacefully. One day I turned on the TV and found out that everyone had pressing important rights but me. I had no rights at all anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo I turned off the TV, but it didn't help. It just got worse. So now I speak my mind and they take a sort of club and wack me, read exclude and shame me. Nothing physical so far. So much for diversity and inclusion. Got little left but my personal pride. but they can't take that away, can they? try as they might. Expressing myself like this is dangerous some one told me, best stay silent, and invisible.
Some are saying that the proposed 1% gift to First Nations Tribal Park Alliance is the way things are headed as a justification for Tofino to go there. But I missed the directive. Did the federal or provincial gov't instruct or order Tofino to make such a deal. Have the courts come down with some ruling exclusively for Tofino's water system. Did I miss that? So if this is the way things are going, I missed that Ucluelet is going to be taxed for the reservoir and pump house at the junction. Are municipalities lining up across the country to make this move? I missed that too. Gee you'd have thought there would at least have been an article in the news paper or something.
ReplyDeleteBut one thing is becoming clear. Some councillors are wanting very much to lead the way. They want to be first, and that tells you every thing about why this is happening here. Their self righteousness forbids consideration of anything practical, like looking at the consequences or like trying to defend the community.
And by saying, this is the way things are going, as a way to justify their proposals, the only justification possible, is that it is a necessary move. It is a obvious a move in the chess games being played. Yep it's a move. A really really stupid one. And it stinks.
Some enterprising reporter should ask the former mayor what she thinks of the 1% from her new perch as minister of municipal affairs - and what she thinks of the backlash. And as minister, does she have plans for other communities to share their money with local first nations
ReplyDeleteBetween Bob and Nyla, their salaries total to over $260,000 per year. They both have put multiple work hours into this "eco service fee project", solely because Bob decided to do so. He received no instructions from council to do this. Perhaps, one day, he had nothing else to do, so he adopted it as a "make work" project? Why else?
ReplyDeleteWhatever his reason, it resulted in a lot of work being done by staff, which now gets thrown out. (Nyla's entire presentation needs to be done over again).
The taxpayers of Tofino are paying for all of this.
Let's hope that our new mayor will "crack the whip" in the district office and put a stop to this type of needless expense to the electorate.
When I hear reports of staff campaigning for Law and McQuade, I understand. They're afraid that someone (Belanger), with management capabilities, just might walk into the office and put a stop to this type of behavior.
The days of the tail shaking the dog might be coming to an end. It can't happen too soon.
Well, wasn’t that revealing. First off, it was good to finally see some discussion happening in council and that it wasn’t lockstep thinking. Also, it was gratifying to see council vote down the bylaw as presented. Well done all those of you who submitted your concerns to council. This is how democracy works.
ReplyDeleteFirst the good. Kudos to Councillors Stere, McMaster and Anderson for providing somewhat more balanced statements. Stere recognized and thanked residents for their letters, McMaster brought it back to infrastructure concerns (which after all is what council is there for), and Anderson spoke about some of the background. Moving from the good to the bad, Councillor Chalmers showed how she feels about democracy and representing the people of Tofino. She identified that the Ecosystem Service Fee (ESF) was dreamed up by council (hmmm, I wonder) during their strategic planning session and was an idea of which they were “unanimously proud”. (Did they vote on that?!). In the strategic planning meeting they were discussing how they could be better both as individuals and as members leading our community. What this reveals is that the ESF is tied up in very strong emotions of pride and ego.
Which leads me to the ugly. CAO MacPherson admitted that he was responsible for adding the 1% ESF to the bylaw at this time, even though in their own strategic planning report this was the time (quarter 1) during which they were to explore the idea. Is MacPherson going rogue? Does he disdain council and residents by enacting his ideas and his alone? Does he think so highly of himself that only he knows what Tofino needs? I hope, without any real expectation, that council will take him to task for that action. If they don’t, just who is running this town? This is not the first time this suggestion has been made. Mr. MacPherson has become very comfortable in his position. But, it didn’t stop there. MacPherson then insults the residents of Tofino and those of you who submitted your concerns by saying “I thought we were further along than that.” And of course, accused us of being “racist”.
By writing this I have no doubt that Chalmers and CAO MacPherson will label me racist. How else to silence opposition to an idea in which they are so heavily invested. And that is exactly what both Chalmers and MacPherson are doing.
As all the councillors mentioned, this is not over yet. The idea is to do a better job of “educating” us. To present us with the ‘background’. And as Chalmers states, she hopes “we will listen with fresh ears and ask informed and engaged questions.” Well, Ms. Chalmers, I suggest that you need to open your ears and listen to the informed and engaged public to get the background.
Since the Strategic Planning meeting back in September I can recall no efforts to solicit the public on how we feel about this scheme. The residents of Tofino came through in spades to loudly and unequivocally state their concerns. It is time Council listen to the people of the town and not try to push through their harebrained schemes that threaten the very existence of our town while condemning the people that live here for disagreeing.
Keep making your voices heard because, as all the councillors mentioned, this is not over yet.
Obviously this idea of an Ecosystem Service Fee is not going to disappear. Chairman Bob and the council are very keen to show their leadership in the brave new world of reconciliation. Never mind that the Provincial and Federal governments have clearly defined rules and regulations for watersheds and municipal water supplies. Never mind that no other community has done this. Never mind that this could set a dangerous precedent. Never mind that there is a process for negotiating Treaty, that does not directly involve municipal government. I am sure there is more, but you get the idea. No, once again this council and CAO want to overstep what a municipal council is there to do. They want to be heroic and demonstrate to everyone that they CARE. Whether it is about climate change, reconciliation, affordable housing, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice if once in a while they cared about the residents of Tofino?
ReplyDeleteI’m getting lots of comments that are too long for this platform to post. Also lots that can’t be printed for a variety of reasons. I understand your anger with this council.
ReplyDeleteI think it is to everyone's advantage that all relavent parties participate and negotiate a treaty settlement. The longer it goes the more the options narrow, the more complex the situation becomes. It is now, what? 30 years since the injunction was placed on Meares Island, stopping the cutting. Supposedly till a treaty was in place. That is the only way all parties will get the clarity we need. The current situation is untenable. Witness recent events which only sow the seeds of reaction and mistrust. Do the right thing. Treaty Please.
ReplyDeleteObviously led by Feds, Prov and local First Nations. Try not to get in the way Tofino
Re 9:50 AM The most sensible suggestion I have read so far.
ReplyDeleteExactly doing unnecessary side deals of no value for Tofino taxpayers is absurd.
ReplyDeleteOne must not forget it was suggested in the past in a council meeting that the water could be cut off.
So that makes the present asking for money sound an awful lot like the following scenario:
Someone comes to your door and suggests to you that they could offer you some protection for a fee.
You argue and then the suggestion becomes a well if you don’t pay this could happen.
You tell the Someone to leave and then you report the incident to the police.
there is only the human race. no other races. that is a construct from an obsolete past which used the concept of different races to rationalize all kinds of horrendous treatment of each other. time to grow up and be kind to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys are delusional if you think JJ is going to solve all the issues you have with our municipal government. I mean, you'd be delusional to think that of anyone, but holy heck he is not suited for the role of Mayor, I don't think he even understands what he can and cannot do in the role. This is going to lead to a lot of watery time and money while he attempts to navigate something he doesn't understand while everyone else picks up the pieces around him. My money's on Dan.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that vote.
DeleteOne of the reasons that staff and administrator are running the operation is because the last couple of mayors had absolutely no experience running any sort of company. But since they were elected it was easy enough to just go along with most of what the staff was doing and they could figure it out as they went along. It didn't happen like that. Staff ended up driving the boat and nobody had any idea where the rocks were or where it was shallow. They just did whatever they felt like. There are some assumptions being made about who has any experience running a corporation and dealing with staff. More like who doesn't have that experience. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteDan and Andrea’s voting records speak for themselves . Except for those votes held In secret meetings behind closed doors. The have both drank the Kool-Aid and speak like politicians. They are both too cozy with current staff .
ReplyDeleteJJ Belanger might also drink the Kool-Aid but so far he hasn’t . He is the only choice to invoke real change and therefore has my vote.
Ironic or what. Town struggling to get 1% of tourist business or go broke facing rising costs. Then businesses give it to Tribal Parks. Why??? Simple business promotion strategy. Read "virtue signalling"
ReplyDeleteTown wants to give 1% of water and sewer rates to Tribal Parks while facing massive costs of sewage treatment Read, going broke on backs of taxpayers.
Guy who earns biggest salary in whole town (likely costing us over $200,000.00/per annum, all in) tells ordinary folks they are racist if they think they should have opinions about how their money is spent. Turns first Nations people into some fetish, incapable of mischief. Read better than human. Read better than you.
Crazy shit going down here
Ironic or what. Town struggling to get 1% of tourist business or go broke facing rising costs. Then businesses give it to Tribal Parks. Why??? Simple business promotion strategy. Read "virtue signalling"
ReplyDeleteTown wants to give 1% of water and sewer rates to Tribal Parks while facing massive costs of sewage treatment Read, going broke on backs of taxpayers.
Guy who earns biggest salary in whole town (likely costing us over $200,000.00/per annum, all in) tells ordinary folks they are racist if they think they should have opinions about how their money is spent. Turns first Nations people into some fetish, incapable of mischief. Read better than human. Read better than you.
Crazy shit going down here
Ha Ha :45 good one. Simple business promotion strategy Should read new way to exploit First Nations.
ReplyDeleteTurns first nations people into some fetish Ha Ha read racist.
Tofino’s tourism industry generates $240 million of economic impact, according to the town’s destination marketing organization Tourism Tofino.
ReplyDeleteTourism Tofino announced the staggering figure in a media release on Tuesday that explained an economic impact and visitation study conducted by InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. found that tourism supports 2,670 direct jobs—1,720 full-time equivalent jobs—generating $60 million in annual wages.
The release adds that Tofino hosted an estimated 600,000 visitors in 2018 and that local businesses serving those visitors contribute over $57 million in municipal, provincial and federal tax revenues.
“This comprehensive and robust study verifies the vital role that tourism plays in sustaining our community, delivering revenue to fund and support infrastructure and services, and contributing to the quality of life we enjoy as residents,” said Tourism Tofino chair J.J. Belanger.
7:44 did you know JJ sites on a Tribal Park Allies Advisory Board? JJ is not a business leader he is a board "sitter" and manager. His business expertise is limited at best. I support sound representation from all stakeholders. I would like to see JJ run for council not as Mayor I would like to see all community voices heard. I would also like the secret adjendas and political motives revealed.
ReplyDeleteI guess you don't know me. Board governance is a key to being a good Mayor. If you do not think I have over 35 years of management experience with multiple projects under my watch of over $50 million you're sadly mistaken. Don't believe I can do this just watch.
ReplyDeletePay Attention Tofino !
ReplyDeleteSpecial Council Meeting this afternoon.
https://tofino.civicweb.net/filepro/document/112797/Special%20Council%20-%2001%20Mar%202021%20Agenda.pdf?widget=true