Coalition for Democratic Nanaimo is a group of neighbourhood and community organizations sponsoring a broadly-based discussion of important issues facing Nanaimo. The discussion will help identify issues and provides a forum for voters to raise questions and for candidates to respond prior to the Nov. 19 municipal election.
a) Arts and arts funding in our city? b) The idea of an expert arts development officer position to act as a liaison and consultant to the community, the city council and the cultural committee? (Question from Holly Bright)
Response from Zeni Maartman....
I would like to see an increase in our arts and culture grants, social development grants and supporting our youth sports teams. The funding for grants have not increased enough over recent years.
We have many living in poverty, from children to seniors, and it would be great to see art being a part of the uplifting of all our lives, especially if we could be creative and use grants to help create employment.
Supporting our local theatre groups, galleries, the museum and local artists initiatives, such as in the Old City Quarters. I would support the idea of an expert arts development officer to be a liaison and work with the various partners to keep arts and culture a focus. I believe the new Economic Development Corporation should be keeping arts, the film industry, tourism as one of their higher priorities to help build our economy. Zeni Maartman
Yes, I am opposed to culling. Surely we can find other solutions to our deer who have been driven out of their homes by increasing development. I don't believe in culling, but I do believe we should be sitting down together and working on some of the solutions.
I agree that development in our true green spaces, like West Linley Valley, and other areas where the deer lived and had land to roam on, is wrecking havoc on our deer and other wildlife. This is why we need strong neighbourhood associations throughout our city. To get an understanding of the priorities/concerns and to provide more communication between City Council and the citizens.
We must start to be smarter with our planet.
I have read the information provided by The Bulletin, which did a good job covering the recommendations in the Urban Ungulate Conflict Analysis. I support the creation of a citizen's committee, bringing residents together, along with city representatives, and from the Ministry of Environment. Other community partners like ICBC could be involved as well.
2> The more a person and their Neighbours contact Bylaws the more likely it is they will respond. This applys to any Bylaw infraction. While burning in wood stoves is not illegal neighbours should have consideration of those around them and burn only seasoned wood.
3> The City needs to do all it can to protect Green Space. We need to protect as much, if not all, of Linley Valley West as we possibly can. The monies spent on the new City Hall Annex could have been used to purchase properties in Linley Valley as well as for upgrading the old Annex with funds no doubt left over.
Re the decision to build a new Annex without tendering the contract
4> I to would like to know why a study was not done regarding the new Annex as well as why the contract did not go to tender?
Once elected I would be better able to provide these answers and if there was any wrong doing. This is but one more aspect of the lack of or minimal communication done by the City. It has to change.
Anthony Nov 12th, Re: Linley Valley and Green spaces:
From Rod Lomas
Think of the amazing foresight of those who created New York's Central Park - what an enormous treasure to have set aside for future generations as the metropolis grew. We need to think similarly - what is our Central Park foresight for Nanaimo? Breathing space as we grow - estimates of population growth in the tri-city areas of Vancouver-Victoria-Seattle and surrounding communities are expected to be one massive metropolis of 21 million people by 2020. Competition of Green spaces vs. Urban growth vs. arable land vs. fresh water and food security are going to be fierce. Let’s not be another LA with 12 lane+ Highways with endless concrete and asphalt vistas & poisonous air. It would be nice to link and expand our green spaces. Linley valley can be a huge step in the right direction
From Rod Lomas Re: Deer Cull: Putting aside the proposed solution of a Deer Cull; I would ask; what is it we can do to secure the long term “healthy” survival of the urban Deer population and address the risks of vehicle & Deer collision and Deer aggression toward pedestrians and pets? Would Fencing; Deer Passage Corridors; or, a Game Reserve be acceptable to affected neighbourhoods? Should we form a custodial task force to address these concerns and other concerns such as: poisonings; unnatural feeding; habitat loss/preservation etc? I believe there is a terrific opportunity here that would be both: an economic generator through tourism and serve to support and protect the animals at the same time. Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate
Clean burning Natural Gas is not yet available in all areas; and, connections incur significant expense to the homeowner. Perhaps Provincial and Federal infrastructure monies; over time; may help us resolve much of this issue. Also, cleaner burning wood products, wood appliances and maintenance promotion may also be alternative avenues to pursue. Central to solutions are cost; Hydro-electrical household heat presents higher costs to the homeowner; oil and propane are also options; however, it remains that wood is still plentiful and relatively cheap heat when no alternative infrastructure is present. Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate
Re: Arts: The idea of an expert Arts development position as a liaison sounds like an excellent idea on the surface; however, funding the position from a stressed budget may be a difficult task; but, not necessarily impossible. Once the VICC budget drain can be adequately addressed then the budget will look healthier. Historically, Arts funding has been an easy target for cuts when budgets are drowning; it is unfortunate given the economic and social benefits of the Arts. We cannot let this get away from us. Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate
Re: City expansion; transportation; Taxes: Let’s not get caught in the vicious cycle of building bigger longer wider roads to fill up with more cars; so, that we have to build more bigger longer wider roads to fill up with more cars and so on… We will be LA in no time. An integrated transportation system can alleviate much of the dependence on the automobile, lower our fossil fuel consumption and actually lower our taxes over the long-term. The major pieces of the transportation system already exist: an underutilized rail corridor; the waterways along our shore and a recently upgraded airport. We can avoid the present dysfunction by linking our Land, Rail, Sea and Air transportation systems seamlessly – moving people, goods and services into, through and around Nanaimo spurring economic activity and growth
I don’t support a cull of any of the animals in our Urban Environment. There are more humane methods to deal with the interactions between the deer population, homeowners and pets. Let’s look at protecting their environment, overpasses and fencing. We need to set up a group to oversee the deer population that would included citizens, wildlife experts, and municipal government to make decisions on establishing healthy deer populations for any given area.
I believe more can be done to ensure that those who burn wood do it efficiently. I would support an incentive to switch out old, dirty wood stoves for cleaner burning models that produce 70% to 90% less smoke while using a third less wood. While it is true that woodstoves are still a very affordable heating choice for many, I believe the City plays an important role in making sure air quality is the cleanest it can possibly be.
I believe that the green spaces that surround our City and areas such as the Linley Valley West should be saved from development. These areas are important for clean air and water, wildlife, recreation for residents and tourist attraction. I also don’t believe that maintaining the green space needs to be at odds with the growth of our city. We need to give greater incentives for developers to build smart, eco-friendly, and denser neighbourhoods. If local government can provide the right incentives to builders and developers they will not want to expand into these important green space.
I believe that he arts have the ability to attract creativity from inside and outside our community. I am a music program alumni from Malaspina U/C and my wife is an alumni of Malaspinas’s visual arts program.
I don’t however, see supporting the arts in isolation from supporting economic growth in our city. I believe there are synergies between the two that can be better supported. I actively research how the arts have helped with economic growth and job creation and I intend to give greater support to the arts as a city councilor. I have posted a couple of interesting articles on my other blog that deal with the arts and economic growth.
b) I like the idea of an Arts Officer within the city. Artists need to be heard through a strong voice that can provide leadership, organization and strategy as well as provide a voice to council to deliver more funding for our local arts community.
Thanks for the question Ian. Nanaimo is long and skinny in its geography. This poses some challenges to and affects the efficiency of transportation infrastructure and utility infrastructure. I support creating denser and more mixed use neighbourhoods with a strong focus on transit oriented development. I believe that we can build a better “backbone" to the transit systems to encourage greater levels of ridership. That may be rail or restructuring of the buses. Transportation of goods should be supported with a renewed rail system and I support the efforts of the island corridor foundation.
I also believe, however, that the expansion of our population is not the only measure of the growth of our city. By attracting knowledge based and green technology sectors to the city we build a strong city without challenging family budgets with higher taxes. Interesting article on “Growth Without Growth” found here:
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletea) Arts and arts funding in our city?
ReplyDeleteb) The idea of an expert arts development officer position to
act as a liaison and consultant to the community, the city
council and the cultural committee? (Question from Holly Bright)
Response from Zeni Maartman....
I would like to see an increase in our arts and culture grants,
social development grants and supporting our youth sports teams.
The funding for grants have not increased enough over recent
years.
We have many living in poverty, from children to seniors, and it
would be great to see art being a part of the uplifting of all
our lives, especially if we could be creative and use grants to
help create employment.
Supporting our local theatre groups, galleries,
the museum and local artists initiatives, such as in the Old City Quarters.
I would support the idea of an expert arts development officer to be a liaison and work with the various partners to keep arts and culture a focus. I believe the new Economic Development Corporation should be keeping arts, the film industry, tourism as one of their higher priorities to help build our economy.
Zeni Maartman
Re the deer situation
ReplyDeleteFrom Zeni Maartman
Yes, I am opposed to culling. Surely we can find other solutions to our deer who have been driven out of their homes by increasing development.
I don't believe in culling, but I do believe we should be sitting down together and working on some of the solutions.
I agree that development in our true green spaces, like West Linley Valley, and other areas where the deer lived and had land to roam on, is wrecking havoc on our deer and other wildlife.
This is why we need strong neighbourhood associations throughout our city. To get an understanding of the priorities/concerns and to provide more communication between City Council and the citizens.
We must start to be smarter with our planet.
I have read the information provided by The Bulletin, which did a good job covering the recommendations in the Urban Ungulate Conflict Analysis. I support the creation of a citizen's committee, bringing residents together, along with city representatives, and from the Ministry of Environment. Other community partners like ICBC could be involved as well.
Zeni Maartman
From Gordon Fuller
ReplyDeleteRe Deer Cull
1> No Deer Cull
From Gord Fuller
ReplyDeleteRe question on use of woodstoves
2> The more a person and their Neighbours contact Bylaws the more likely it is they will respond. This applys to any Bylaw infraction. While burning in wood stoves is not illegal neighbours should have consideration of those around them and burn only seasoned wood.
From Gord Fuller
ReplyDeletere Protecting Linley Valley
3> The City needs to do all it can to protect Green Space. We need to protect as much, if not all, of Linley Valley West as we possibly can. The monies spent on the new City Hall Annex could have been used to purchase properties in Linley Valley as well as for upgrading the old Annex with funds no doubt left over.
From Gord Fuller
ReplyDeleteRe the decision to build a new Annex without tendering the contract
4> I to would like to know why a study was not done regarding the new Annex as well as why the contract did not go to tender?
Once elected I would be better able to provide these answers and if there was any wrong doing. This is but one more aspect of the lack of or minimal communication done by the City. It has to change.
Anthony Nov 12th, Re: Linley Valley and Green spaces:
ReplyDeleteFrom Rod Lomas
Think of the amazing foresight of those who created New York's Central Park - what an enormous treasure to have set aside for future generations as the metropolis grew. We need to think similarly - what is our Central Park foresight for Nanaimo? Breathing space as we grow - estimates of population growth in the tri-city areas of Vancouver-Victoria-Seattle and surrounding communities are expected to be one massive metropolis of 21 million people by 2020. Competition of Green spaces vs. Urban growth vs. arable land vs. fresh water and food security are going to be fierce. Let’s not be another LA with 12 lane+ Highways with endless concrete and asphalt vistas & poisonous air. It would be nice to link and expand our green spaces. Linley valley can be a huge step in the right direction
From Rod Lomas Re: Deer Cull:
ReplyDeletePutting aside the proposed solution of a Deer Cull; I would ask; what is it we can do to secure the long term “healthy” survival of the urban Deer population and address the risks of vehicle & Deer collision and Deer aggression toward pedestrians and pets? Would Fencing; Deer Passage Corridors; or, a Game Reserve be acceptable to affected neighbourhoods? Should we form a custodial task force to address these concerns and other concerns such as: poisonings; unnatural feeding; habitat loss/preservation etc? I believe there is a terrific opportunity here that would be both: an economic generator through tourism and serve to support and protect the animals at the same time.
Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate
Re Woodstoves
ReplyDeleteFrom Rod Lomas
Clean burning Natural Gas is not yet available in all areas; and, connections incur significant expense to the homeowner. Perhaps Provincial and Federal infrastructure monies; over time; may help us resolve much of this issue. Also, cleaner burning wood products, wood appliances and maintenance promotion may also be alternative avenues to pursue. Central to solutions are cost; Hydro-electrical household heat presents higher costs to the homeowner; oil and propane are also options; however, it remains that wood is still plentiful and relatively cheap heat when no alternative infrastructure is present.
Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate
From Rod Lomas
ReplyDeleteRe: Arts:
The idea of an expert Arts development position as a liaison sounds like an excellent idea on the surface; however, funding the position from a stressed budget may be a difficult task; but, not necessarily impossible. Once the VICC budget drain can be adequately addressed then the budget will look healthier. Historically, Arts funding has been an easy target for cuts when budgets are drowning; it is unfortunate given the economic and social benefits of the Arts. We cannot let this get away from us.
Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate
From Rod Lomas
ReplyDeleteRe: City expansion; transportation; Taxes:
Let’s not get caught in the vicious cycle of building bigger longer wider roads to fill up with more cars; so, that we have to build more bigger longer wider roads to fill up with more cars and so on… We will be LA in no time. An integrated transportation system can alleviate much of the dependence on the automobile, lower our fossil fuel consumption and actually lower our taxes over the long-term. The major pieces of the transportation system already exist: an underutilized rail corridor; the waterways along our shore and a recently upgraded airport. We can avoid the present dysfunction by linking our Land, Rail, Sea and Air transportation systems seamlessly – moving people, goods and services into, through and around Nanaimo spurring economic activity and growth
Rod Lomas – Nanaimo City Council Candidate.
Re: Deer Cull
ReplyDeleteI don’t support a cull of any of the animals in our Urban Environment. There are more humane methods to deal with the interactions between the deer population, homeowners and pets. Let’s look at protecting their environment, overpasses and fencing. We need to set up a group to oversee the deer population that would included citizens, wildlife experts, and municipal government to make decisions on establishing healthy deer populations for any given area.
Trent Snikkers
Re: Wood irresponsible wood burning
ReplyDeleteI believe more can be done to ensure that those who burn wood do it efficiently. I would support an incentive to switch out old, dirty wood stoves for cleaner burning models that produce 70% to 90% less smoke while using a third less wood. While it is true that woodstoves are still a very affordable heating choice for many, I believe the City plays an important role in making sure air quality is the cleanest it can possibly be.
Trent Snikkers
Re: Protecting Green Space and Linley Valley West
ReplyDeleteI believe that the green spaces that surround our City and areas such as the Linley Valley West should be saved from development. These areas are important for clean air and water, wildlife, recreation for residents and tourist attraction. I also don’t believe that maintaining the green space needs to be at odds with the growth of our city. We need to give greater incentives for developers to build smart, eco-friendly, and denser neighbourhoods. If local government can provide the right incentives to builders and developers they will not want to expand into these important green space.
Trent Snikkers
Re: Arts funding and arts development officer
ReplyDeletea) I am a strong supporter of the arts. Please see a few of my posts on my blog
http://electtrentsnikkers.blogspot.com/search/label/Arts.
I believe that he arts have the ability to attract creativity from inside and outside our community. I am a music program alumni from Malaspina U/C and my wife is an alumni of Malaspinas’s visual arts program.
I don’t however, see supporting the arts in isolation from supporting economic growth in our city. I believe there are synergies between the two that can be better supported. I actively research how the arts have helped with economic growth and job creation and I intend to give greater support to the arts as a city councilor. I have posted a couple of interesting articles on my other blog that deal with the arts and economic growth.
http://trentsnikkers.blogspot.com/search/label/Art
b) I like the idea of an Arts Officer within the city. Artists need to be heard through a strong voice that can provide leadership, organization and strategy as well as provide a voice to council to deliver more funding for our local arts community.
Trent Snikkers
RE: Expanding city and costs
ReplyDeleteThanks for the question Ian. Nanaimo is long and skinny in its geography. This poses some challenges to and affects the efficiency of transportation infrastructure and utility infrastructure. I support creating denser and more mixed use neighbourhoods with a strong focus on transit oriented development. I believe that we can build a better “backbone" to the transit systems to encourage greater levels of ridership. That may be rail or restructuring of the buses. Transportation of goods should be supported with a renewed rail system and I support the efforts of the island corridor foundation.
I also believe, however, that the expansion of our population is not the only measure of the growth of our city. By attracting knowledge based and green technology sectors to the city we build a strong city without challenging family budgets with higher taxes. Interesting article on “Growth Without Growth” found here:
http://www.planetizen.com/node/47772
Trent Snikkers