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Chinese New Year 2010 Address
Submitted by Dean on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 12:24.
Sunday, Feb. 21st February 2010 at Golden City Restaurant
Hundreds watch opening ceremonies from Victoria's 'cheap seats'
Vancouver had celebrities from George Clooney to the Governator, a five-ring circus blanketing the entire downtown, and 60,000 spectators cramming B.C. Place for Friday’s opening ceremonies.
Victoria? Dean Fortin, face painting and 400 people in umbrella-dotted Centennial Square, eyes glued to a big(ish) screen while street entertainers patrolled the edges of what around here passes for a crowd. A solid three out of 10 on the frenzy scale.
Robbie Burns Dinner
Submitted by editor on Sun, 02/14/2010 - 12:46.
What a wonderful pleasure it is to be here tonight – celebrating the life of Robbie Burns
This is a new experience for me – But I have come with my kilt on and every intention of immersing myself in the night.
Burns is known for many things – some kind, some not so kind- but the element of his life and writings that I admire deeply is his passion for ordinary people and everyday activity
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From hotels to affordable housing
Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin stands on the second floor of the Traveller’s Inn at 120 Gorge Rd. The City has bid for three of the hotels as part of an effort to create affordable housing.
Welcome steps on homelessness
It's a great week for anyone seeking progress on the problems of homelessness and disorder in the region. Two developments show welcome co-operation and a willingness to seize opportunities as they arise.
Longer day begins at Our Place
Our Place will open its doors at 7 a.m. Monday morning, marking the beginning of the drop-in shelter’s extended hours.
The Pandora Avenue facility will open weekdays at 7 a.m. rather than 9 a.m. It will still close at 5 p.m.
Executive director Rev. Al Tysick has long fought for Our Place to be open earlier in the morning so that Victoria’s street population can have a place of refuge after a long night on the streets.
In early January, Mayor Dean Fortin announced the City of Victoria would dedicate $120,000 to accommodate that. The provincial government also has kicked in $30,000.
City team to foster ties in China
The City of Victoria is leading an economic development mission to China this spring to promote key capital region sectors.
"In these economic times, it is something the city can really do to help our local economy," Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said.
The delegation will visit Suzhou to mark its 30th anniversary as a sister city of Victoria, as well as several other cities in China, he said, adding Shanghai is a possibility.
The trip gives Victoria the chance to build on federal and provincial initiatives with China, Fortin said. The goal is to expand on the current relationship by fostering economic ties through its post-secondary, high-tech and tourism sectors.
City joins bid for 3 Traveller's Inns
there will be room at the inns for hundreds of Victoria residents needing affordable small-family and supported housing, should the city's bid to buy three low-budget hotels be successful.
The city joined with the Capital Regional District, B.C. Housing and the Greater Victoria Coalition to end Homelessness on the bids presented to the court-appointed receivers Friday. The city and partners hope to buy the Traveller's Inn properties, which contain a total of 133 units, at 723 Field St., 710/712 Queens Ave. and 120 Gorge Rd.
"We're excited -- it's a really unique situation, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Mayor Dean Fortin of the possible acquisition.
First Nations Burning Ceremony
As part of the reinternment ceremony for the remains of a first nation woman disturbed by city construction work, we acted as her family and hosted a burning ceremony, which includes a feast for the band at the end. We engaged a first nation speaker to represent the city at this event, which included Chief Andy Thomas and Chief Sam.
Recent pedestrians hit prompt Mayor Dean Fortin to find funds for more Our Place hours
The Our Place drop-in centre for street people will soon open two hours earlier each weekday morning, thanks to city funding, Mayor Dean Fortin announced yesterday.
Pending council approval, the Pandora Avenue facility will open at 7 a.m. weekdays rather than 9 a.m. The drop-in closes at 5 p.m.
Opening earlier will cost $120,000 annually, a sum Victoria is prepared to pay immediately, then urge the shelter's other partners to come up with their share, Fortin said.
"The City of Victoria is tired of waiting," he said. "We've been waiting for years to try to get funding to extend the hours of the Open Door."
New mayors look back at 2009
The battle over borrowing $42 million to replace the Johnson Street Bridge will forever overshadow Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin's first term in office. That's no surprise, given it's the largest project in the city's history.
But Fortin hopes city initiatives to help the disadvantaged aren't totally lost in the bridge debate.
Fewer people on street during recent cold snap
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