Comment from Pieta VanDyke
Time: May 30, 2008, 11:26 pm

I don’t know if I’ve ever talked to this person, but they have associated me
> with the current council by dismissing me as being part of the “old guard”.
As a long time grass roots community activist with roots in the co-op movement it is quite novel to be referred to as part of the “old guard”, especially as it seems to link me with the current city council. In fact, I’d like to establish as much distance between myself and their decisions as possible. While I am happy that Council has done as
much as they have with regard to the Commission on Homelessness etc., they should have done more to stand up to the provincial government, who put the city in a box by requiring that they use city-owned land to establish new shelters and supportive housing. Victoria has very little land at all, let alone land that is appropriate for this purpose. The whole process for determining the site for the new shelter has been suspect.
I strongly support the need for a safe injection site and a needle exchange, somewhere in or near the downtown. Potential sites have not been exhausted. I can think of a number in the Douglas and Government corridor. I realize that it will be difficult to find a site
that everyone agrees with, but with good consultations with neighbours, and appropriate security/safety measures, it could work.
I want the city to stop planning to build on parkland, especially in or
adjacent to the downtown, which needs even more natural “respite” areas for downtown residents and visitors. Pacific Lawn Bowling and the Cridge Park, with its mature trees, provide a wonderful southern forecourt for the condos behind them.
I would like to see the right kinds of rapid transit - LRT for routes to
Langford and over the Malahat (on the E&N right of way) and rapid
bus alternatives through the city similar to what is used in Seattle, but not the middle of Douglas proposal, which makes riders walk even farther from their stop to wherever they’re going (only 3 stops were proposed between downtown and Saanich Road!!!)

We need more activities for youth and young adults. One of the things that I am proud of from my earlier term on Council is the establishment of the Vic West skate park. I recently spoke to someone who marveled at the design of the bowl and wondered if it was designed by skaters. In fact it was. We had an advisory committee of young skaters who worked with city staff to identify
sites and design the bowl. As soon as it was completed, previous problems related to skater/pedestrian interface on downtown sidewalks was gone, as the skaters flocked to the new park. Now that people use skateboards on the road to commute, we need to look at this as a reasonable alternative kind of transportation, and make sure it is safe and works for everybody.
I want Victoria’s police to put on a more human face. While the all black uniforms may be sexy and help in the recruitment process, they are intimidating to people that are approached by police (maybe that is part of the idea). Just as CPTD design makes residences and commercial space more safe, a different look for officers will break down barriers. (yes, I realize that this sounds frivolous and that the police don’t always want to be our friend, but there are times and places for different approaches. Different looks and approaches for different teams).

There needs to be more bike lockup spots in the downtown area. The new, empty space at Government and Fisgard (next to the theatre) would be a great site. I find this to be a challenge when I take my bike downtown.

I could go on and on with my platform, and I am willing to discuss these points - I just don’t want to be dismissed before I even articulate what they are……

Comment from Ian
Time: August 21, 2008, 4:07 pm

Your support for a safe injection site will cost you more than a few votes and opposing development on that so-called park (Cridge Park) is just not reasonable. You represent an extreme point of view and are not what this city needs. We need new blood, with an ability to cross “party lines” and the left vs. right, developer vs. eco-chic mentality!

Comment from Gregory Hartnell
Time: October 2, 2008, 3:54 pm

On behalf of the Concerned Citizens’ Coalition (CCC), I welcome Pieta back. Many of her positions, particularly those pertaining to park preservation (Cridge Park), transit (Douglas Street) and land use (Belleville and Blanshard) are similar to those of the CCC.

However, I have to agree with Ian when he says that her ’support for a safe injection site will cost you more than a few votes.’

The CCC opposes the implementation of the so-called ’safe injection site’ anywhere in the City of Victoria, nor do we favour the re-opening of the so-called ‘needle exchange.’

Rather, we advocate that the City of Victoria subsidize neighbourhood recovery houses run by recovering addicts and alcoholics emphasizing strict abstinence, good nutricion, excercise, life skills counselling, job training, and finally, and most importantly, daily attendance at self-help group meetings (AA, NA, etc.).

- Gregory Hartnell, President
Concerned Citizens’ Coalition

CCC