Noise Pollutions, Health Challenges BNSF...a big pain for society.Listen to Paula Williams speaking with Harpreet Singh on local radio.
Posted by courtesy of Johan Sandstrom, BComm. of www.whiterockreporter.com/category/interviews
http://healthy360.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
White Rock's Helen Fathers, Councilor & Also White Rock Farmers' Market Manager
Local News
September 24, 2013
No Go
White Rock councillor HELEN FATHERS who introduced the original motion to move council chambers into the vacant church on the city hall property, put forth a motion last night to get a legal opinon on the defeat of her original motion, which had passed.
MOTION
Given the fact that Council spent many hours , numerous lengthy planning sessions considering the need for increased space for staff, the desire for space for community activities including community groups , and the usability for a
multi use space aimed at maximizing the use of Council chambers to the relocation to 1174 fir st at minimal cost to the tax payer.
I would like to move ;
That a second legal opinion be sought in writing on the following concerns:
The legality of the Motion # 2013 - 268 to Rescind Motion #2013-229 (Adopted July 15, 2013) due to the preamable accompanying it and the disclosure of a named business and its intent .
furthermore the failure to follow process under section 26 part (1) of the community charter
"Notice of proposed property disposition."
and that No Decision by City Council was made to authorize such.
The FATHERS motion was supported by councillors ROBINSON and CAMPBELL. Councillors LAWRENCE, MEYERS, HUTCHISON and Mayor BALDWIN defeated the motion.
The city has now issued an RFP (request for proposals) and will begin showing the facility to potential renters this Friday. -end-
Follow the issue's development in http://healthy360.blogspot.com or write johanpublisher@gmail.com
Above content is an excerpt from WhiteRockSun.com
www.whiterockreporter.com/category/interviews
Breaking News; 24 Sep.'13 Just In: Authority- Inappropriate Relationship...Read On:"Coal..."
FROM KEVIN WASHBROOK- VTACC
September 23 2013
For Immediate Release
Documents reveal inappropriate relationship between Port Authority, Coal Lobby
-- calls into question Port’s neutrality on proposed coal export expansion.
Vancouver – Documents obtained by Voters Taking Action on Climate Change (VTACC) through an Access to Information request reveal details of an inappropriate relationship between the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, charged with making a decision on proposed coal export projects, and the public relations firm representing the Coal Alliance, a lobby group created to defend the industry’s interests in those projects.
The documents fundamentally challenge the Port’s credibility as the neutral federal authority mandated to operate “with broad public support in the best interests of Canadians.”
“The cozy communication between the Port and the coal lobby on this issue confirms what we've always thought: the Port is acting more as an industry advocate than a public regulator,” said Kevin Washbrook, VTACC director. “What's worse, they don't seem to realize that this is a problem. How can we trust them to look after the public interest?”
The following examples are drawn from documents obtained through the ATIP request.
- The Port and industry lobbyists routinely communicate as if they are allies, rather than as public regulator and private proponent.
- National Public Relations, the firm behind the Coal Alliance, provided the Port with media round ups, advance notice of media appearances and op-ed placement by industry lobbyists, and on one occasion a detailed report on a community rally regarding the proposed Fraser Surrey Docks coal terminal.
- In turn, Port staff monitored VTACC email announcements and provided a “heads up” to the Vice President at National Public Relations so that coal industry lobbyists could attend a rally held outside Port Authority offices and speak to the media.
- After agreeing to co-sponsor a public forum on coal exports with Kids for Climate Action (K4CA), Port staff regularly briefed National Public Relations on meetings with the youth group, and eventually withdrew from the planned event in response to industry disapproval.
- Port staff assured National Public Relations that they would “bring industry into the fold as soon as it is appropriate to do so but will keep you in the loop along the way.”
- Port staff expressed interest in having a National Public Relations Vice President facilitate negotiations with K4CA but didn't pursue the option because National Public Relations represents the Coal Alliance, “so technically that is not neutral.”
- When National Public Relations relayed that the coal lobby would not participate in a public forum that would “result in a debate of opinions,” the Port withdrew its co-sponsorship of the forum.
“It was weird to read Port emails reporting to industry lobbyists on our meetings, and especially disappointing that the Port withdrew from its commitment at the industry’s bidding,” said Sam Harrison, K4CA Director. “Is the coal industry really that afraid of public debate?”
An informal survey of environmental and community groups working on the coal export issue confirms that, unlike industry lobbyists, none have ever received emails from the Port Authority describing their media coverage as “positive progress,” nor expressions of “good luck” (with smiley face symbols appended) from Port staff prior to public events.
These findings reinforce the need for involvement in decision making by public agencies charged with protection of public health and the environment, to ensure that the concerns of Metro Vancouver residents, local governments, and health authorities are given as much weight as those of the coal industry -- before decisions are made with respect to major coal export projects that could impact our future and transform our region.
The public deserves a credible process for the evaluation of the risks posed by these projects, conducted by an impartial public authority. VTACC believes that, through its conduct to date, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has not earned the public's trust as that impartial authority.
In order to regain public confidence and shed its image as an industry advocate, VTACC calls on the Port Authority to work closely with all relevant public authorities – including local and regional governments and health authorities – to jointly conduct comprehensive and impartial environmental and health impact assessments to thoroughly evaluate and regulate environmental, community, and public health risks from these proposals. These assessments should be transparent and incorporate public hearings.
-end -
Posting Above Provided by http://www.whiterockreporter.com/category/interviews
johanpublisher@gmail.com [Johan Sandstrom, BComm.]
News from Surrey Board of Trade 23 Sep. 2013
Surrey Board of Trade wants transportation, health care, education and PST improvements in 2014 BC Budget
The Surrey Board of Trade spoke to the BC Government’s Standing Committee of Finance today at the Sheraton Hotel in Surrey. In preparation for the 2014 BC Budget, the Surrey Board of Trade spoke on their priorities, which included addressing funding disparities to transportation, health care and education in Surrey and the South Fraser Region.
With respect to Taxation “We find one of the most worrisome situations is that BC is at the top of the provincial list of “Marginal Effective Tax Rates in Canada”, said Anita Huberman CEO Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade said that in a tougher fiscal environment the solution to create a better economy is not achieved through increasing taxes. “Hold back on the tax and the increased economy will return that and more to the government in the end.
It’s much more sustainable because it will encourage new investment in our economy”, said Anita Huberman, CEO Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade wants to see the recommendations of the BC Government’s Expert Panel on Tax, specifically on administrative improvements to the PST, to be implemented.
In the area of transportation, the expense of the referendum and the quality of the results from the referendum were highlights.
In the area of health care, improvements to Surrey Memorial Hospital, and the development of the Pattison Centre have been wonderful, but it is still far short of what this region deserves and requires.
The Surrey Board of Trade’s initial research indicates that despite there being a million people in Surrey and the South Fraser, per capita funding for Fraser Health is still 50% below funding levels of the rest of the province.
In the area of education, the Surrey Board of Trade wants a tripling of funding for Kwantlen! Right now, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Simon Fraser University-Surrey together can offer only 12.7 post-secondary spaces for every 100 people 18-24 years-old in our region. The rest of B.C. receives almost 4 times that level of access, with 48.7 spaces for every 100 young adults.
The Surrey Board of Trade urged the Ministry of Finance to implement additional funding and pointed out that it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to provide at least equal funding to Surrey and the South Fraser region-the source of the lion’s share of our province’s future workforce.
“And this workforce must be properly prepared to undertake the challenge if we are to grow our economy!”
For t For the full copy of the presentation go to www.businessinsurrey.com
Anita Patil Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade
An Accredited Chamber of Commerce with Distinction from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada
Direct: 604-634-0342 .
Cell: 604-340-3899
www.businessinsurrey.com
This Press News Posted as courtesy by Johan Sandstrom, BComm.
www.whiterockreporter.com/category/interviews 23 Sep. 2013
Surrey Board of Trade wants transportation, health care, education and PST improvements in 2014 BC Budget
The Surrey Board of Trade spoke to the BC Government’s Standing Committee of Finance today at the Sheraton Hotel in Surrey. In preparation for the 2014 BC Budget, the Surrey Board of Trade spoke on their priorities, which included addressing funding disparities to transportation, health care and education in Surrey and the South Fraser Region.
With respect to Taxation “We find one of the most worrisome situations is that BC is at the top of the provincial list of “Marginal Effective Tax Rates in Canada”, said Anita Huberman CEO Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade said that in a tougher fiscal environment the solution to create a better economy is not achieved through increasing taxes. “Hold back on the tax and the increased economy will return that and more to the government in the end. It’s much more sustainable because it will encourage new investment in our economy”, said Anita Huberman, CEO Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade wants to see the recommendations of the BC Government’s Expert Panel on Tax, specifically on administrative improvements to the PST, to be implemented.
In the area of transportation, the expense of the referendum and the quality of the results from the referendum were highlights.
In the area of health care, improvements to Surrey Memorial Hospital, and the development of the Pattison Centre have been wonderful, but it is still far short of what this region deserves and requires. The Surrey Board of Trade’s initial research indicates that despite there being a million people in Surrey and the South Fraser, per capita funding for Fraser Health is still 50% below funding levels of the rest of the province.
In the area of education, the Surrey Board of Trade wants a tripling of funding for Kwantlen! Right now, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Simon Fraser University-Surrey together can offer only 12.7 post-secondary spaces for every 100 people 18-24 years-old in our region. The rest of B.C. receives almost 4 times that level of access, with 48.7 spaces for every 100 young adults.
The Surrey Board of Trade urged the Ministry of Finance to implement additional funding and pointed out that it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to provide at least equal funding to Surrey and the South Fraser region-the source of the lion’s share of our province’s future workforce. “And this workforce must be properly prepared to undertake the challenge if we are to grow our economy!”
For the full copy of the presentation go to www.businessinsurrey.com
-- 30 --
Anita Patil Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade
An Accredited Chamber of Commerce with Distinction from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada
Direct: 604-634-0342
Cell: 604-340-3899
www.businessinsurrey.com
Complimentary posting by www.whiterockreporter.com/category/interviews
Sunday, September 22, 2013
SWEA; Swedish Crayfish Party Sep. 2013
Crayfish Party on Friday, September 27
SWEA's and the Swedish Cultural Society are organizing the year's crayfish. The crayfish party, which is open for ALL (including men, non-Swedes and non-SWEA members) promises an abundance of crayfish, live entertainment by the band Nine Noah and raffle with squeaky prices.
Tickets
Please note that only pre-sale case, the notification is made by Wednesday 25 September. The price is $ 45 for ticket picked up at the Scandinavian Community Centre by Wednesday 25 September. At biljettuthämtning in the door is the price $ 50.
Please note that only pre-sale case, the notification is made by Wednesday 25 September. The price is $ 45 for ticket picked up at the Scandinavian Community Centre by Wednesday 25 September. At biljettuthämtning in the door is the price $ 50.
A good deedevent SWEA supports UBC's scholarship ($ 3,000) to be awarded to a student at UBC who are able to continue their language study in Sweden.
Childin need of child care for the evening? Contact us no later than Friday 20 September at vancouver@swea.org
TransportDriving and alcohol are not a good combination. Skytrain and bus, carpooling with other guests or taxi calls. A Safe Alternative asaride.com and Operation Red Nose operationnezrouge.com may be at a cost to drive home your car if you prefer to drive to the crayfish party.
Volunteers WantedAre you interested in helping out during the evening, please contact us at vancouver@swea.org
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