Friday starts by saying "good morning" to the BC Honey Producers, followed by talking with Chris LaFevre - learning how developing downtown heritage buildings into affordable housing really works.  It would be great to have all those 2nd and 3rd floors filled with people. The night ends with dinner with the Director General of Jiangsu Province, China and his delegation.

Today is Souper Bowls of Hope, and event for the Youth Empowerment Society, who provide assistance to street engaged youth. Come on down to the empress between 11 and 1 , have some soup and keep the bowl!  I will be there serving - hope to see you in line!

Very eclectic day. Starts with greetings to Ocean Innovations Conference, then CRD Parks, Chinese delegation from Fushun County, City of Victoria Long Service awards, and finally talking sewage with Victoria Labour Council to close the evening.

Today is a town hall meeting at UVic with students, organized by the UVSS - talking sustainability, homelessness and public transportation. As well, two delegations - one from Suzhou China and a second group of students from Morioka Japan.

This week is continuing work on Housing options with the Colilition members and the Extreme Weather protocol is coming to update council on Thursday.  Monday starts with greeting students from Morioka Middle School (Japan) and then a provincial funding announcement for the Roundhouse properties in VicWest.  The day closes with a meeting with Darren Parker, owner of the Seals talking a  read more »

Monday starts with a supportive housing groundbreaking ceremony - great to see some supportive housing being started.  Tuesday is meeting with Chief Andy Thomas and Chief Robert Sam, followed by a local celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China.  Weds is decision day for CRD Sewage, and some fantastic opportunities for energy recovery for Victoria.  Thu  read more »

Steve 's best line - "our children are our future, they are our legacy".

What a week ahead! Johnson Street Bridge designs presented Tuesday, then Police Board and Green Drinks. Weds is CBC on the Island, Pancakes at UVic, CRD sewage and Board meeting. Thurs is Public Consultation update, chamber lunchen with Minister Flaherty and City Council Meeting. Friday is coffee with Rev. Al, DowntownLatenight Stakeholder mtg, Terry Fox Head Shave. Sat is Moss St Mkt with bridge designs. Whew!

 Three Bridge Designs Presented at Victoria Conference Center

This week kicks off on a sad note - the goodbye party for CHEK TV. It is a loss for the people who work there  - it is never a good time to lose ones job and particularly now in tough times is is frightening.  I know the people there are talented and will find a job quickly because of that, but this has to be stressful to families and partners.  It is not a good news storey for Victoria, as an independent public voice is going silent.  CHEK  helped define Victoria, its heroes and villians,  what makes us Islanders special.  Goodbye and good luck!

This week begins early with an early  morning meeting with the Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) honing down the bridge design options for council and the citizens to consider in a 3 week intense consultation starting Sept 8th.  We have $42 million dollars of federal/provincial funding to encourage us to work hard and stay focused - nothing gets short shrifted, it is just concentrated work.  It would be irresponsible to not work at this pace to ensure we get the federal funding - an infrastructure expense of this magniture! Please check out Johnson Street Bridge website.

Meetings this week with representatives of both UVic and Camosun students - more to report when that happens!

great to meet the Manchester Boys, the top 15 yr old soccer players from the UK city. Manchester is a working class city, and these lads face some major challenges, but have some major talent. They commented that of all the cities they have visited, Victorians were the most welcoming.

Thanks for all the class you show Victoria!

Today begins on Air with Joe Easingwood at 9, a visit from the mayor of Zhaoquing City, police Board interviews.  Tomorrow sees city council consider bringing heavenly lights to Chinatown and a pilot free downtown bus run to the core, courtesy of the DVBA.  They arerocking lately!

First week back from holidays and returning to City hall with joy! 

This week involves the Coalition to End Homelessness which has some unique challenges and opportunities to be sorted out as we move forward on getting housing built and assigned.

We also see committee work on the two task forces running right now - the Harbour airport and the Downtown Latenight.   read more »

This week is the last stakeholder meeting for the late night task force, and includes the great opportunity to meet with Minister Coleman today to review where Victoria is and what potential there is for provincial support in some of the key areas like Liquor Act fines, etc.

Later today is a meeting on the Mayors Golf Tourney in support of the Youth Empowerment Society outreach team. - a very great cause!   Start practicing!

The week continues with planning on the implimentation of the Business Plan for housing creation for the Coalition to end Homelessness, the ParaOlympics Tourch Relay, Tourism Victoria, and a visit to First Nation Chief's.

Finally, it is the weekend and the begining of two weeks of Holidays in the sunny Kamloops area and Longbeach!