Saturday, June 30, 2007
Recreation not about encouraging Exercise?
I always thought that the purpose of the recreation department was to encourage, not discourage, people to exercise. Apparently I was mistaken about this with respect to the Abbotsford recreation department.
I am speaking of the new schedule for ARC that begins July 1st and runs until Centennial Pool opens or the Whalers competition season ends – whichever comes first. In keeping with the operating behaviour of the City of Abbotsford the decision about this schedule was made behind closed doors and without consultation with or consideration of patrons.
I accept that some inconvenience must result from the need to accommodate the Whalers due to the failure of Centennial Pool to be opened in time for the Whalers to begin training for competition. I made the necessary, though personally inconvenient, changes to my exercise (swimming) schedule to get my needed exercise in around the Whalers schedule.
This was possible because for May and June the Whalers finished by 9PM leaving the 1 hour adult swim available to those displaced swimmers and water-cisesrs. However in the proposed new (indefinite) schedule this time has been reduce to a ½ hour – inadequate time for a proper exercise regimen.
I think it only reasonable that the proposed schedule be amended to ensure at least one hour as the minimum time for an exercise workout. If it is not possible to reschedule the Whalers so that they continue to finish by 9PM, then the pool should be kept open until 10:30PM until the Whalers are able to move to Centennial Pool.
Should it be suggested that this extra expense is to onerous I suggest that the money should come from the salaries of those in City management who, lacking the common sense to hire someone who had experience in pool construction, are responsible for the need to accommodate the Whalers.
Not only would this be an equitable sharing of the pain the Whalers and patrons of ARC have had to endure for no justifiable reason, but it would hopefully serve to encourage common sense and good business practices as future behaviour from senior management.
I am speaking of the new schedule for ARC that begins July 1st and runs until Centennial Pool opens or the Whalers competition season ends – whichever comes first. In keeping with the operating behaviour of the City of Abbotsford the decision about this schedule was made behind closed doors and without consultation with or consideration of patrons.
I accept that some inconvenience must result from the need to accommodate the Whalers due to the failure of Centennial Pool to be opened in time for the Whalers to begin training for competition. I made the necessary, though personally inconvenient, changes to my exercise (swimming) schedule to get my needed exercise in around the Whalers schedule.
This was possible because for May and June the Whalers finished by 9PM leaving the 1 hour adult swim available to those displaced swimmers and water-cisesrs. However in the proposed new (indefinite) schedule this time has been reduce to a ½ hour – inadequate time for a proper exercise regimen.
I think it only reasonable that the proposed schedule be amended to ensure at least one hour as the minimum time for an exercise workout. If it is not possible to reschedule the Whalers so that they continue to finish by 9PM, then the pool should be kept open until 10:30PM until the Whalers are able to move to Centennial Pool.
Should it be suggested that this extra expense is to onerous I suggest that the money should come from the salaries of those in City management who, lacking the common sense to hire someone who had experience in pool construction, are responsible for the need to accommodate the Whalers.
Not only would this be an equitable sharing of the pain the Whalers and patrons of ARC have had to endure for no justifiable reason, but it would hopefully serve to encourage common sense and good business practices as future behaviour from senior management.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tax refugee??
As his neighbours can tell you Mark Taylor has sold his home in Abbotsford and purchased a larger new home in Langley.
While I cannot say that Langley’s lower taxes are what have drawn Mr. Taylor there, it is certainly ironic that after playing a leading part in inflicting a heavy tax burden on the taxpayers of Abbotsford Mr. Taylor is himself fleeing to the lower taxes of Langley.
Perhaps it is merely that Mr. Taylor is seeking a community where he will have no problem finding a public pool to cool off in should our weather ever heat up to summer temperatures. Langley and many other smaller communities, have more indoor and outdoor pool facilities than Abbotsford. They probably also have enough common sense to hire people who have experience building pools and know what they are doing, thus avoiding extended shutdowns as is happening with Centennial Pool.
Possibly it is the many other sports and recreation facilities and programs that the citizens of Langley enjoy that the citizens of Abbotsford lack that motivate Mr Taylor’s relocation. If so perhaps Mr. Taylor should be raising the matter or these recreational inadequacies with …… himself as Abbotsford’s parks, recreation and culture head honcho.
Undeniably his move does suggest that a white elephant of an arena is not a deciding factor, even someone responsible for foisting it upon Abbotsford, in making Abbotsford is a “must live” community. Just as clearly Langley’s lack of said white elephant is no deterrent to people moving there.
Apparently Abbotsford is fine place to take an exorbitant salary from, just not somewhere you want to live. A comment on Mr. Taylor’s opinion of the outcomes of the actions he and the rest of Abbotsford City Hall have wreaked upon our poor (much poorer) City?
While I cannot say that Langley’s lower taxes are what have drawn Mr. Taylor there, it is certainly ironic that after playing a leading part in inflicting a heavy tax burden on the taxpayers of Abbotsford Mr. Taylor is himself fleeing to the lower taxes of Langley.
Perhaps it is merely that Mr. Taylor is seeking a community where he will have no problem finding a public pool to cool off in should our weather ever heat up to summer temperatures. Langley and many other smaller communities, have more indoor and outdoor pool facilities than Abbotsford. They probably also have enough common sense to hire people who have experience building pools and know what they are doing, thus avoiding extended shutdowns as is happening with Centennial Pool.
Possibly it is the many other sports and recreation facilities and programs that the citizens of Langley enjoy that the citizens of Abbotsford lack that motivate Mr Taylor’s relocation. If so perhaps Mr. Taylor should be raising the matter or these recreational inadequacies with …… himself as Abbotsford’s parks, recreation and culture head honcho.
Undeniably his move does suggest that a white elephant of an arena is not a deciding factor, even someone responsible for foisting it upon Abbotsford, in making Abbotsford is a “must live” community. Just as clearly Langley’s lack of said white elephant is no deterrent to people moving there.
Apparently Abbotsford is fine place to take an exorbitant salary from, just not somewhere you want to live. A comment on Mr. Taylor’s opinion of the outcomes of the actions he and the rest of Abbotsford City Hall have wreaked upon our poor (much poorer) City?
Friday, June 15, 2007
Defiling Canada’s Honour
I have always been proud to be a Canadian. Proud of our history, our behaviour, the reputation and perception of Canada held by countries and people around the world. That is until lately.
Mr. Harper is not the first prime minister I thought more closely resembled the southern end of a northbound horse. I have often found prime ministers seemingly out of touch with the reality of life for many working, poor and homeless citizens. Lacking in even basic logic, leadership, vision and of questionable intelligence one still had to admire the political sophistication and gamesmanship that made them Prime Ministers.
Perhaps it is that Mr. Harper is the first true ideologue we have had leading Canada.
What ever it is that causes his behaviour on the international stage it needs to stop. Whether Mr. Harper begins to behave rationally or is removed from office by his caucus, party or Canadian voters his policies and behaviour internationally must be changed now.
Where once Canada was respected, consulted and sought out because of its conduct, guiding principles and earned respect, Canada is now becoming an international outcast, a war mongering bully whose word is questionable.
At the just finished G8 summit Mr. Harper was already backing away, making hackneyed excuses, from the global warming agreement he had just made at the summit. There he stood in front of the cameras at the first post climate change press conference already justifying not enforcing or meeting the agreed upon emissions reduction targets.
I stipulate that I do not know if it is lack of understanding of basic scientific principles, adequate grey matter to understand those basic scientific principles, simple denial or a pathetic need to curry favour with George Bush by parroting his climate change obfuscations.
I do know that leadership is about making hard choices for the long term good of the nation and the world. Worrying about and making excuses based on short term disruptions and costs that can be handled while ignoring the potential disaster of failing to act, is short sighted political and ideological opportunism totally lacking in leadership.
We must accept that there will be costs to correcting our ecological behaviour, reach reasonable targets and goals with our European allies and be a trustworthy partner in striving for a better future for our country and children. The costs and consequences of not acting are far higher than that of thoughtful action taken now. Just as there are costs and consequences of being seen by the international community as a country whose words and promises are worthless.
Mr. Harper is not the first prime minister I thought more closely resembled the southern end of a northbound horse. I have often found prime ministers seemingly out of touch with the reality of life for many working, poor and homeless citizens. Lacking in even basic logic, leadership, vision and of questionable intelligence one still had to admire the political sophistication and gamesmanship that made them Prime Ministers.
Perhaps it is that Mr. Harper is the first true ideologue we have had leading Canada.
What ever it is that causes his behaviour on the international stage it needs to stop. Whether Mr. Harper begins to behave rationally or is removed from office by his caucus, party or Canadian voters his policies and behaviour internationally must be changed now.
Where once Canada was respected, consulted and sought out because of its conduct, guiding principles and earned respect, Canada is now becoming an international outcast, a war mongering bully whose word is questionable.
At the just finished G8 summit Mr. Harper was already backing away, making hackneyed excuses, from the global warming agreement he had just made at the summit. There he stood in front of the cameras at the first post climate change press conference already justifying not enforcing or meeting the agreed upon emissions reduction targets.
I stipulate that I do not know if it is lack of understanding of basic scientific principles, adequate grey matter to understand those basic scientific principles, simple denial or a pathetic need to curry favour with George Bush by parroting his climate change obfuscations.
I do know that leadership is about making hard choices for the long term good of the nation and the world. Worrying about and making excuses based on short term disruptions and costs that can be handled while ignoring the potential disaster of failing to act, is short sighted political and ideological opportunism totally lacking in leadership.
We must accept that there will be costs to correcting our ecological behaviour, reach reasonable targets and goals with our European allies and be a trustworthy partner in striving for a better future for our country and children. The costs and consequences of not acting are far higher than that of thoughtful action taken now. Just as there are costs and consequences of being seen by the international community as a country whose words and promises are worthless.
I do not care if on a personal level Mr. Harper demonstrates he is not trustworthy. I do care when his actions so damage the Honour of Canada as to injure our standing and perception around the world and erode my pride in being Canadian.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Two Items making the news....
....Friday June 1st caught my attention.
First was the firing of BC Lottery Corp CEO Vic Poleschuck. It was refreshing to see someone earning an overly generous salary at taxpayer’s expense actually be held accountable for bad management, a lack of judgment and lying to the Minister and public about the real facts concerning BCLC.
Of course it leaves me wondering: in light of the fiasco of Centennial Pool; writing a letter to the public and signing the mayor name; the lies told about Plan A (e.g. - actual advertising was 250% higher than claimed); the reduction in city services; the reductions of maintenance at city facilities (and who knows what that will cost us in the longer term?); uneconomical, bad business practices; bungling management; not an iota of judgment; – just why is it that Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Theichroeb and Mr. Taylor are not packing their bags and heading off to join Mr. Poleschuck on the unemployment line?
The second news Item concerned the Vancouver Convention Center’s massive cost overrun - $300+ million and climbing. In fact this project may well run 100% over budget ending up with a price tag closer to a $billion$ than to the original contract price. The government is still unable to even guess at what the final price will be because it is still negotiating that with the Contractor, the contractor they signed the original contract with at half of what it will end up costing the taxpayers.
The reason this should be of interest or concern to Abbotsford’s beleaguered citizens is that the contractor is PCL. The hospital reasonably on budget is a P3. The convention center 100(+?)% over budget is government to PCL. The Abbotsford projects are – government to PCL.
Clearly PCL has the ability with government contracts to double the cost. We need someone to oversee the projects to ensure large cost overruns do not occur. This means City Hall’s demonstrated criteria for letting contracts, the lowest bid or being “nice guys” in not an appropriate way to make a choice to protect the citizens of Abbotsford interests.
On projects the size of Plan A we should expect to be paying $4 – $5 million to the company we choose to protect our interests (and pocket books) in overseeing the construction. You get what you pay for and paying less than this does not get you the oversight you need. The unreasonable bid council accepted for oversight gets you rubber stamping and potentially 100% cost overruns. Council needs to revisit their decision on the contract to oversee the construction in order to ensure proper construction oversight.
If they are building Plan A the least they could do is do it with sound business and management practices – and at least an iota of sound judgment and common sense.
First was the firing of BC Lottery Corp CEO Vic Poleschuck. It was refreshing to see someone earning an overly generous salary at taxpayer’s expense actually be held accountable for bad management, a lack of judgment and lying to the Minister and public about the real facts concerning BCLC.
Of course it leaves me wondering: in light of the fiasco of Centennial Pool; writing a letter to the public and signing the mayor name; the lies told about Plan A (e.g. - actual advertising was 250% higher than claimed); the reduction in city services; the reductions of maintenance at city facilities (and who knows what that will cost us in the longer term?); uneconomical, bad business practices; bungling management; not an iota of judgment; – just why is it that Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Theichroeb and Mr. Taylor are not packing their bags and heading off to join Mr. Poleschuck on the unemployment line?
The second news Item concerned the Vancouver Convention Center’s massive cost overrun - $300+ million and climbing. In fact this project may well run 100% over budget ending up with a price tag closer to a $billion$ than to the original contract price. The government is still unable to even guess at what the final price will be because it is still negotiating that with the Contractor, the contractor they signed the original contract with at half of what it will end up costing the taxpayers.
The reason this should be of interest or concern to Abbotsford’s beleaguered citizens is that the contractor is PCL. The hospital reasonably on budget is a P3. The convention center 100(+?)% over budget is government to PCL. The Abbotsford projects are – government to PCL.
Clearly PCL has the ability with government contracts to double the cost. We need someone to oversee the projects to ensure large cost overruns do not occur. This means City Hall’s demonstrated criteria for letting contracts, the lowest bid or being “nice guys” in not an appropriate way to make a choice to protect the citizens of Abbotsford interests.
On projects the size of Plan A we should expect to be paying $4 – $5 million to the company we choose to protect our interests (and pocket books) in overseeing the construction. You get what you pay for and paying less than this does not get you the oversight you need. The unreasonable bid council accepted for oversight gets you rubber stamping and potentially 100% cost overruns. Council needs to revisit their decision on the contract to oversee the construction in order to ensure proper construction oversight.
If they are building Plan A the least they could do is do it with sound business and management practices – and at least an iota of sound judgment and common sense.
