Professional poverty protesters part of the problem 0
By Daniel Fontaine, Dialogue with a Difference
PidGin Restaurant, located in the Downtown Eastside at 350 Carrall St. Vancouver, B.C. (24 HOURS FILE PHOTO)
A number of civic stories are generating headlines again this week. Here is my take on a few of them.
PiDGin Droppings:
Two thumbs down to the pack of Downtown Eastside professional poverty protesters pooh-poohing PidGin restaurant last week.
If you haven’t heard by now, a small band of activists who regularly oppose everything are unhappy a shiny new eatery has opened up in their ‘hood. Instead of welcoming the small business, located near the notorious Pigeon Park, they have been harassing its customers and trying to shut it down.
Two thumbs up to PiDGin co-owner Brandon Grossutti for taking a big financial risk and helping to revitalize a neighbourhood in desperate need of a boost.
Lipstick on a Pig:
Thumbs up to the New Westminster Arts Council for their efforts at helping to revitalize the Royal City. They are proposing local artists help spruce up empty storefronts by displaying their work on the outside of the building until the space is leased.
While their heart is in the right place, this initiative only serves to mask over a chronic problem in New Westminster. That’s why I am also giving city council thumbs down for not addressing the root causes of the city’s long-standing economic malaise.
“In this instance, placing art in vacant storefronts is really like putting lipstick on a pig … there are still no businesses fighting their way for placement on Columbia Street,” Susan Wandell, a former council candidate, wrote in a letter.
Melissa’s Moment:
After two previously failed attempts, Non-Partisan Association Park Board Commissioner Melissa De Genova finally convinced her colleagues to pass one of her motions. It calls for the board to schedule more public consultation before they undertake their big cash grab of community centre funds.
De Genova deserves thumbs up for her tenacity and for finally convincing the Vision Vancouver majority to listen to the public before they ram through this unpopular initiative.
Transit Trash Talk:
Delta Mayor Lois Jackson is at it again, openly questioning whether TransLink could save millions of dollars if it eliminated the costly Transit Police. There is talk of the force being replaced with lower paid and unarmed bus route and station security guards.
Jackson told the media recently the residents of her city shell out almost $40 million per year to the transit agency, or $394.50 per capita. That’s why she deserves thumbs up for asking whether taxpayers and bus riders are truly getting value for their money.
Daniel Fontaine is a local political commentator. Follow him on Twitter @Fontaine_D.
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