Stephen Hammond
@rightstoday
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Author of The New Norm, Managing Human Rights @ Work & Steps in the Rights Direction. Passionate about social justice. And now, City of Victoria BC Councilor.
Victoria, B.C.
Joined March 2009
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I need to apologize to the voters of Victoria.
In the last election I must have been tone deaf to their insistence that I give myself a 25% pay increase. I’m getting old, so I must not have heard that.
If I run in the next election, please speak up so I can hear your demands.
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Next election I will have to take campaign lessons from my council colleague Susan Kim. She came in 2nd whereas I came in a miserable 7th out of 8 council positions.
Last night I made the horrible mistake of voting against the five year financial plan because Victoria taxes are
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Take 2 minutes to listen to BC Housing Minister Kahlon on CBC. He says the crime, disorder, and personal distress from people living beside tiny town is “rhetoric”. Hear him say that I am “scoring political points” when I convey that two residents woke up
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After years of not Tweeting, I've decided to get back now that I'm a Victoria BC City Councilor. I hope for the best.
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With permission, here's an email I received. If I feel exasperated, imagine how they feel. Actually, you can read it. For protection, I've removed anything that can identify them. This is horrible, ridiculous, and I feel almost powerless as a councilor to do anything....2
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I learned a lesson about redistribution of wealth in the City of Victoria. Yesterday at council, the majority of Victoria Council voted to proceed with a development application on Richardson Street. Councillors Marg Gardiner, Chris Coleman and I voted to reject this development
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A hilarious article on the front page of today’s Times Colonist about BC housing filing lawsuits against 13 people for the condos that those idiots never should’ve got in the first place? How do you spell incompetence? BC housing!
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I got a call from
@CFAX1070
to be interviewed by
@alferraby
tomorrow (Thursday) 8:20 am.
He might want to talk about safety in Victoria’s DT. Maybe it’s related to the violent criminal activity last Friday night.
I can give him my thoughts as one Victoria City Councillor.
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To understand addiction & death in Victoria, READ this G&M article by a Victoria doctor.
He counters the “very vocal drug-advocacy lobby in B.C.” to explain how sending addicts home with up to 50,000 “Dillies” EACH DAY in BC is so wrong.
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@Adam_Stirling
Joined Adam Stirling this morning, on
@cfax1070
, when I talk about the knee-jerk reaction from the province against law abiding, tax paying citizens who thought they had invested by the rules.
I made a mistake at council when I didn’t listen to these people who are gravely
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B.C. moves to ban illicit drug use in public spaces.
I am very pleased that Premier Eby and his government will be banning public drug use. It means I don’t have to bring forward my previously deferred motion to City Council, where I wanted the ban of drug use to be increased
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@savestadacona
@CityOfVictoria
@Adam_Stirling
This is what we, the City, have allowed. Entitlement to lawlessness, disorder and crime. Zero consequences. Sorry folks. Wish I could do more.
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Good morning here is my OP-ED from this mornings TC. Looking forward to a positive response from the Provine to make Victoria safer.
Comment: A personal appeal to David Eby: Please help Victoria
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If you live in
#YYJ
& are horrified by what’s happening to people living on our streets & in our Parks you ARE A FOOL if you don’t take 45 mins to listen to True Blue podcast called Pandora’s Box. Dare you not to gasp at the “anecdotes”near the end.
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With world assaults on women’s reproductive rights, rise of antisemitism, racism & transphobia, today I pause to remember Canadian Everett Klippert, who was jailed in 1960 just for being gay. Due to his sacrifice & others, Jack & I legally “allowed” to marry 16 years ago today.
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When Stats Cda’s CSI shows Victoria higher than all of BC 3 years in a row, we can forget this is about people. I am shaken by the senseless violent attack of two seniors this week. What will it take for Victoria to get more protection for its residents?
A 67 y/o old woman & 66 y/o man were assaulted Wed evening in the 1300 blk of Fort St after approaching a man lighting grass on fire.
#yyj
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This morning we’ll be discussing this with
@Adam_Stirling
on
@cfax
at 11:30am this morning. Tune in if you can. In the meantime, here are copies of the FOI sent to me by
@vicpdcanada
with my statement.
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I don’t speak for the City, but I do have a (limited) voice on City Council and this is horrible. I do not condone this, but don’t have the support to do anything better. I wish I did.
Warning
#yyj
: obscene language.
@Cityofvictoria
staff and Council,
@dave_eby
to Stadacona Park Neighbours: a big F-U, am I right?
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I was on
@Adam_Stirling
this morning talking about the reopening of tiny town and the government betraying the neighbourhood which has been negatively affected by this particular supportive housing.
Not all supportive housing causes noise or disturbance in neighborhoods.
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Public safety should be
#1
priority in all jurisdictions and at all levels of government.
Absolutely sickening story. Sending my best wishes to the officer who was injured. Thank you to the
@vicpdcanada
& other agencies across BC who are serving our province.
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At UBCM I asked prov ministers of housing, finance & mental health & addictions for money for security of communities surrounding supportive housing and every response was about those living in housing. Not one word about neighbourhood safety.
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Most supportive housing facilities are run well, with great supports, no issues with neighbours.
Since 2016, Jack and I have donated at least $1,200/year to the Victoria Women’s Transition House.
Problems are in some of the hotels our province has purchased in recent years.
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Thrilled with my colleague
#CouncillorChrisColeman
for a motion to bring Victoria’s tax increase down from 6.96% to 6%. It was supported 6 to 3. It’s not as low as I would have liked but many councillors made compromises along the way. Hope this rate sticks for taxpayers!
#yyj
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What a different world from the very first pride parade I ever saw. It started out as a protest and now it’s a wonderful celebration!
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A call for better security. The Province should be reimbursing residents who incur damage, just like do for businesses.
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Sincere condolences to
@edmontonpolice
.
This brings home the importance to proper resources, support and $$
@vicpdcanada
need in our increasingly dangerous society.
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Province to ban possession of illicit drugs 15 metres from playgrounds, waterparks & skate rinks. Matt Dell & I had ride-along with Bylaw Wednesday morning & City staff said 8 metres was not enough. It’s a good start. Can’t normalize a life of addiction.
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@nspector4
@bcndp
It’s easy to legislate human rights, but not so easy to live by human rights at your work, even in the day-to-day workings of a government. Talk is cheap.
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As I catch up on Saturday’s Globe & Mail, it’s sad to see a Toronto teenager killed after a judge allowed a very violent repeat offender out of jail on probation. Canadians aren’t safe if we don’t lock up violent criminals.
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@mymaats
Steve, I completely understand why the province is doing what they are doing HOWEVER I think it is outrageous, as you know, that it is on the backs of every day people. They could easily have either grandfathered the few units which would whittle down the numbers over time, or
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@timescolonist
As the warden said in Cool Hand Luke, “What we got here, is failure to communicate.” I completely misunderstood what “Business and Community Relations” was. My mistake. I support this police program & will vote to get it back into the City’s budget. It’s vital for DT safety.
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@travelzoomers
@savestadacona
I responded elsewhere that the City can’t do squat about moving people out of parks as long as the province’s shelters/hotels are “kill shelters for dogs”. Want tenters out of parks? Get Grace Lore MLA and Premier Eby to clean up THEIR shelters!!
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After VicPD officer got stabbed with a needle, does Victoria have to wait for a shooting before declaring we have a “public safety crisis” like Nanaimo?
#yyj
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When it comes to public drug use, my council motion is just to enhance what the province has rightly proposed.
They listened to municipalities with further restrictions on open drug use.
I don’t want anyone arrested. Just told to move along.
That’s right in Bill 34
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Man convicted after mother of bike theft victim holds three-day protest outside his house:
Note the lengths a mother had to take in England to get attention on this prolific bike thief. For many families, replacing a bike is a huge expense. Be sure to
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to do something, they could. They can start with enforcing the bylaws. That is number one. There are bylaws against camping, blocking the sidewalks, and loitering. Those need to be enforced. Why are the rights of established businesses being trample on,
in an effort to allow...
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Today, May Day, marks the 40th anniversary of my being arrested in communist Poland and thrown out of the country, accused of being a spy for the West. I got to experience an authoritarian regime firsthand.
Last year, on this day I noted the threat of Vladimir Putin, especially
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This is a wonderful day, not just for the rule of law but for decency. This vile man has finally been held to account. He has evaded any accountability throughout his life…other than of course when he was soundly defeated 4 years ago for president.
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I was at the Victoria Emergency Program volunteer appreciation BBQ today. Talking to these volunteers, I realized what an important role they play for all kinds of emergencies. Who knew we had volunteers for these vital jobs? Thank goodness.
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@Adam_Stirling
@pamela01116318
What will it take for governments to stop excusing these behaviours?? Really, what?
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
@Adam_Stirling
@vicpdcanada
Hey Grant, until we get all those things, do we allow the Riddler, Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Egghead, and Chandell to run our streets?
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At Union of BC Municipalities convention. Interesting session A Conversation on Decriminalization & Public Use. Many councillors concerned about public consumption.
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Wise words from these Indigenous women in Victoria regarding the Victoria school board’s decision to prohibit the police school liaison program.
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@DavidHScreech
of Gregg’s Furniture & Upholstery said on
@cfax1070
“I’d like to hear a strong stmt from mayor & council, they know this is unacceptable, they know their local businesses are struggling” from crime & disorder.
Dave, I hear you, I strongly say this IS unacceptable
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street people to do whatever they want, and break any bylaw they choose. What happened to the right of a business to not have to put up with people defecating at their door, making a mess, blocking customer access to parking and being a general nuisance? Being poor and homeless
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is not an excuse to disregard the laws and bylaws, Again,what is the city planning to do? Are these issues ever discussed at council meetings? What decisions have been made? Does the city plan to do anything? We would really like to know. We have heard of a new round of meetings
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I’m at the Ukrainian memorial in Centennial Square.
We have to do whatever we can to support Ukraine & Ukrainians here on Vancouver Island who have fled Putin”s senseless war.
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an excuse for doing nothing for another year, to make business in the area feel happy.
We aren't.
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@charliecarolt
@vicpdcanada
@VoteYYJWilliams
Carol sorry for your daughter and you, just wanting your daughter to be safe in Victoria. And also unfortunate that the police and other members of the public need to experience this...all too often. We want a better and safer Victoria hence my support on council for VicPD
#yyj
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@savestadacona
Here’s the problem with a court challenge…as long as the province allows their shelters/hotels to be dangerous shit-holes, the courts won’t compel tenters to move from parks. See recent decisions. City can’t do squat so call Grace Lore’s office or Premier’s office.
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No idea why you people have to put up with this…and I’m a bloody City Councillor! THIS is the very reason I asked for security…Marg Gardiner & I were shot down 6 to 2. People around the Park did nothing wrong by moving there. Total lawlessness here & you have to put up with it!
When we say people are camping below our balconies and beside our homes, this is what we mean. This guy was beside an owner's patio, on other side of fence. Thanks much for this continuing BS and for leaving us in fear 24/7, for almost 4 yrs.
@CityofVictoria
Council/Bylaw.
#yyj
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It doesn't seem to be getting any better, Now that warm weather is arriving, we are concerned that we will have to experience the nuisance and disruption to our business that has been going on for the last 3 years, for another summer. We don't know if our business can handle that
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So far. there hasn't been much. When Bylaw comes by. and cleans up the mess, the street people return within half an hour. They just wait until bylaw leaves. then they return and spread out their mess for another week. We can't take much more of this. Now there is an old..
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
@Adam_Stirling
@vicpdcanada
1st, Grant Happy Pride! 2nd, as per my motion I didn’t ask necessarily for more security guards just safer streets for the people surrounded by encampments & certain supportive housing. I’ve asked the City to come back with suggestions. I’m no expert
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Just to be clear, if the province puts in the kind of supportive housing that leads to everything stolen, vandalism or worse, your province doesn’t give a tinker’s damn about you. Lots of supportive housing is great. Welcome those into your neighbourhood. For the problem ones,
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Public safety is paramount
Here in Nanaimo this morning attending the rally for community safety put on by the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association. This community has had enough. It’s time for immediate action from David Eby and the NDP.
#bcpoli
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It might be time for us to move to a different municipality and let Victoria have this block which is what it seems to want. How are we supposed to run a business on this block, and be expected to pay more taxes, and receive less service? What is the plan by the city to help us ?
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My new hero: Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog. You must listen to the first 15 minutes of CFAX’s Adam Stirling interviewing Mayor Krog. What he has to say is what I want in Victoria to start to improve security. He just says it better than me.
#yyj
#publicsafety
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@JoJoFromJerz
I am only 20% of the way through Ian Kershaw‘s gigantic book, Hitler, & the parallels of a population being duped & wanting a horrid person to lead them is amazing. This phenomenon isn’t new.
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
Good Sunday morning Grant. I proposed a motion for enhanced security due to crime, disorder, destruction of property, violence, intimidation and fear in some neighbourhoods due to behavior in and around park encampments and some social housing locations.
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so no one can park there. Again, I ask how are we supposed to run a business that way? Why does the city continue to allow this? Why cant they declare these people a nuisance to our business, and not allow them on this block? If the city of Victoria actually wanted to do...
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guy in a car, cooking soup in the back of his vehicle and handing it out. He decided to do it right in front of our shop, where our customers need to park. Our customers need the spaces out front because the street people are blocking the spots down the road and across the street
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@Projoiner
Can’t do it. Majority sets the rules and tax increases. Have tried and get shot down. The voters voted for higher taxes last election.
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Today as Acting Mayor I attended the BC Children & Youth in Care Week Art show at City Hall.
Here are a couple pieces.
I met Simon who drew the medieval folklore drawing & had a number of his work there (excuse my reflection).
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Tyranny continues. 39 years ago today, May Day, I was arrested in communist Poland; thrown out of country for being a spy.
Soviet Union gone, but oppression under thugs like Putin continues. Hence thrilled to give support to Ukrainians coming to island & those fighting at home.
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If this is correct, then this means it’s a free-for-all in the City of Victoria and the law abiding citizens have no real and tangible rights. What is wrong with this?!? This can’t possibly be correct.
So… a Stadacona neighbour just called the non-emerg police line & was told that there are new camping guidelines from
@CityOfVictoria
& people can now camp anywhere in park incl under our balconies after 9 pm. Is this true
@MarianneAlto
@KristaLoughton
?
@Adam_Stirling
#yyj
WTAF
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Heard Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog talking about Clint Smith being shot trying to retrieve his stolen property from an encampment..2
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A text from a resident living across the street from the sea canisters, referred to as “Tiny Town”. Often it’s not the people in these facilities, but the people it attracts to the community, screen shot as follows…
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
motion for more security and decided it was not for them, nor for our city. The voters decided this last October, yet I will continue to ask for more security where it’s needed and if the public disagrees with me, they can inform the Mayor and Council to vote my resolutions down.
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Downtown safety Here are my thoughts and comments on this morning’s discussion with
@alferraby
on
@cfax1070
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Sorry posted the wrong link. Here is my entire speech. Starting minute 9:45
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being resolved. Another year has passed and the problems just get worse. We shouldn't need more meeting to make the city realize that we are extremely unhappy with the current situation. Why shouldn't we be? Nothing has changed for the better. The meetings seen to be just
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You can’t work all the time. In Vancouver cheering on the Lions. Go Lions go!
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that are going to be held soon, to discuss the problems that businesses on this block are experiencing. Are they worth going to? If the city doesn't plan on doing anything after listening to us, the meetings seem pointless. We attended meetings last year, without any issues
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Want a definition of racism? 16 yr old Blk boy in Kansas City, Mo. Mistake he goes to wrong door to pick up younger brothers & white man inside was so afraid, he shot him twice. Need another definition? The bleeding kid had to knock on 3 doors to get help.
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Once in a while, I doubt myself, wondering why it’s so important to sit in meetings to discuss policies. But tonight in Long Beach California, I was one of thousands watching Liz Cheney speak. Policies and upholding our laws, count.
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Jack and I attended the Ukrainian Spring of Hope Benefit Concert.
We bid on and got a keychain that was made from a Russian plane that was shot down in Ukraine. It is part of the actual Russian plane with the number on it.
I will carry it around as a constant reminder of the
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
I didn’t have the police stats when I prepared this motion. When I discovered some councillors had asked for police data, I passed these along to all council and merely asked the police to reveal this information to the public. They did and I’m grateful.
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Didn’t read the G&M’s “We Must End the Unwitnessed Safe Supply of Opioids” by Dr. Mark Mallet? Looks like Dr. Bonnie Henry did & you can get a good version in today’s Times Colonist article “Henry eyes changes to safe-supply program”.
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At UBCM session about the province’s Policing & Public Safety Modernization Initiative. Standing room only as so many councils have similar stresses on their police as they respond to social problems never envisioned years ago.
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@KittySurprise1
@PatchOCool
@CharlesBodi
@Dave_Eby
That certainly dawned on me. They can shut me down…but they can’t shut me up. But good news is it gave me new purpose to spend lots of time on safety AND it got me back on Twitter! Unintended consequences.
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
My motion to merely look into options for enhanced security, where needed, was supported by Coun. Gardiner was soundly defeated 6 to 2 (Coun Coleman absent). That is democracy. The voters of Victoria voted for a mayor & a majority of council that gave thoughtful consideration to
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today in support of Crohn’s & Colitis Canada. Team Kingsley’s Crohnies for our City Clerk, Curt Kingsley who has Crohn’s.
We had some councilors, senior City staff & a big shout-out to Jessie Spence who raised a lot of money for our team.


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Cool stuff I did yesterday:
At Fernwood Art Stroll. Bought two mugs from Emily Hull listed at
#9
on map in Fernwood Square.
I’ll use my mug at City Hall. Art Stroll open today till 4 & Sunday from 11 – 4
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My 1st role as Acting Mayor was attending piano performances from amazing young talent.
This was part of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival & I handed Carey Wang the Silver Medallion Award sponsored by the City.
Watch for this young man to soar.
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
I respect democracy is about majority rule, and I also respect the need to give a voice to those who don’t hold the view of the majority. It’s a beautiful day and I’m going to take advantage of this wonderful place in which we live, and enjoy it. down.
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@atouchofkraut
@CityOfVictoria
@bcndp
This guy makes so much sense. But good, common sense is in short supply these days. Tragic as Victoria and BC residents just keep on dying.
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@KittySurprise1
@pamela01116318
This is among the saddest things I’ve seen. What will it take to, first of all, prevent people from a horrid life of drug addiction and if so, to get them help and off life-altering drugs that will lead them to an early grave.
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@JohnsonStBRDG
@ChillAsHellYYJ
Thankyou for tweeting this misinformation. That twitter account is not mine.
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More great news: Feds to remove GST on construction of new rental buildings. Not against profit, but how do we ensure this leads to lower rents, not just more for builders? Of course, building more truly affordable housing is the key.
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The Spring of Hope Benefit Concert is on this Saturday March 2, 2024, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, Jack and I will be attending.
This Benefit Concert is dedicated to raising funds for Ukrainian children who have been profoundly affected by the ravages of war.
Your
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@Adam_Stirling
We cannot continue to pretend there are no dangers in some of these facilities. They can be dangerous to the people inside the facility and to the surrounding Neighbourhoods.
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@travelzoomers
Previous court decisions said as long as there is not enough space, people can stay in parks so they don’t die. Fair & humane. But recent decisions say you can’t compel people to move into shit-hole shelters run by your provincial taxes. Call Grace Lore MLA.
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@AuthorGMcKenzie
I respect democracy is about majority rule, and I also respect the need to give a voice to those who don’t hold the view of the majority. It’s a beautiful day and I’m going to take advantage of this wonderful place in which we live, and enjoy it.
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In 1975 my girlfriend, Susan Cassidy & I saw Ike & Tina Turner in Winnipeg.
Wondered why it was only 45 minutes but decades later found out it was the height of Ike’s violent abuse towards her.
Yet she was amazing & I was privileged to see her.
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@TheBackPackPro1
I wasn’t saying listen to Adam Stirling. I was saying listen to Mayor Krog. I also heard Mayor Krog on CBC this morning, but they didn’t give him as long and it’s tough to find audio clips on CBC.
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