JBS consultation is in full swing. Yesterday was a visit to BC Transit, who were relieved that we were not going to shut the Bridge for 18 months to traffic (one of the consequences of going the refurbishing route). I guess the Esquimalt run is one of the top 3 busiest buses.

Then the Harbour Authority was visited, and talk centred around water  use and ensuring we were addressing shipping needs into the future. The ability for the span to lift was very important, as well as  appropriate design of the south east side of the bridge approaches and park and marina.

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!

The week begins with many interesting meetings- with business reps on the Bellville Terminal, with BC Housing and the Coalition to End Homelessness to explore supportive Housing opportunities, to the CRD Liquid Waste Committee, talking Sewage of course, and the Planning and Transportation Committee; We are looking at demographics of the region, and wwhoa - we are getting older faster that we age getting bigger. we are going to have to take a serious look at immigration to keep our region strong.

Thursday sees the opening of the Spirit Square, including the Spirit Beach (bring the children!) and the Spirit Garden.This will feature the unveiling of the Spirit Poles, carved by Butch and Clarance Dick, and will see the ceremonies include Chief Sam and Chief Thomas.Thursday afternoon sees me back onto the mound, throwing the first pitch for the opening of the Provincial Midget AAA baseball Tourney at Royal Atheltic park.

The week ends with Annie Pelletier's first art show at the Fairmont Empress on Saturday.

photos by John Luton

For more photos please click here                 

This is a full week - late night task force meets with lounge and liquor store owners, a last visit with the Emperor of Japan, the opening of UBCM's "Government House, chairing the Victoria Police Board, a meeting with Minister Bond on the Blue Bridge infrastructure application,three meetings on housing projects, City Council meeting Thursday night and then off to the interior on Friday!

1 July 2009

It was an exciting day greeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan on behalf of the citizens of Victoria. Hopefully will have some photos to share and post soon!

In Japanese : Ryo heika ni, o me ni kakarete, koei ni omoimasu!

 Photo by Jeff Vinnick

1 July 2009

Speakers and dignitaries gather in the waiting room before the ceremonies for Canada Day at the LG Residence.  The ceremony is moving - the pride the new citizens take raises ones own pride, and taking the oath with them reaffirms what we have all taken for granted - freedom to practice our trade, our customs, to participate in a democratic society.

More photos of the day are on www.flickr.com/photos/deanfortin08

17 May 2009

I have a fantastic opportunity to meet His Royal Highness and represent Victoria on the way to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Whistler.

27 June 2009

Saturday night was presentation night at the Paparazzi's Club.  Club owner Attila presents Pride Parade Coordinator David Tilson with a cheque to help with the week's events.

The City of Victoria issued a proclamation, noting the importance of having a city that is welcoming and inclusive of everyone.