Morning Brew: March 11th

Posted by Sean
Filed in News
March 11, 2008

In their ongoing quest to be the most hated agency in Canada, the Mounties have been caught tasering a disabled B.C. man. If that doesn't work they're going try a baby.

While Media buries story of Vancouver cops' lax Taser use. Even Morning Brew missed that one.

Vancouver police are admitting their solve rate is low. In related news, Intelligence has been canceled.

The Sun refuses to endorse 'opinionated' (read: dickhead) columnist for mayor of Vancouver because he doesn't live in Vancouver. But otherwise his hateful, knee-jerk, red-neck suburban soccer mom 'tell it like it is' shock-jock attitude would be a refreshing change. I can't tell if this is an inside joke.

Premier's former adviser to plead guilty to Lobbyist Act violations. But will get off easy because the prosecutor says Dobell "held an honest but mistaken belief throughout that his activities were lawful". So wait, you mean I can't take money from the province to advise Campbell at the same I'm taking money from the City of Vancouver to lobby him? I thought I was just killing two birds with one stone.

A streetcar named Vancouver. "A Vancouver City Councillor wants to see streetcars running through the city within the next few years. But Suzanne Anton doesn't think the city should be looking to Translink for funding". Namely because it will have nothing to do with transporting Vancouver residents and everything to do with transporting hordes of tourists between Stanley Park and Granville Island.

Canada is not playing in an Olympic-related war game next month. But that's only becuase America forgot that we had an army.

24Hours Top Story: Cactus Club introduces touchless washroom. Holy crap indeed. It looks like Feenie has made his presence felt already.

The invisible byelection.

Think City Citizen Budget Questionnaire

Translink Board wants your help. Help with what exactly? Help with how to best rip us off?

image by Cpt. Obvious in the Beyond Robson flickr photo stream

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Budget questionnaire link is not working, fyi.

Posted by: Jeannette at March 11, 2008 9:22 AM | Quote Comment

I love the streetcar idea. Have you ever tried to get around the south false creek/citygate/yaletown area by bus? It's a dead zone, transit-wise. This could be a really lovely way to see the city for those who aren't up to the bicycle and walking trail (i.e. elderly people and tourists wearing fashionable yet impractical shoes.) Sing it with me "Streetcar!"

Posted by: maikopunk at March 11, 2008 10:12 AM | Quote Comment

I thought the street car idea was something that was already going to happen?

If you look here: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/streets/greenways/city/carrall/greenway_design.htm

On this part of the city's site about the Carrall greenway project, it states this:

"Future Streetcar
The greenway will accommodate two stops, at Cordova St and Water St, for the future streetcar. Council approved a downtown streetcar system in principle after a previous public process. This system would provide an attractive transit service in and around the downtown peninsula. It would link destinations such as Granville Island, Chinatown, Yaletown, Gastown, and Stanley Park."

Possible "street car" stations are part of the design plan of the Carral Street Greenway.I already thought this was going to happen and that it was a given? Yet council is going to vote on it? I'm confused. Why are they saying that such things are likely going to happen on their website when it is just as likely that it will not?

Posted by: Jeannette at March 11, 2008 11:51 AM | Quote Comment

Forget streetcars, why not just better and nicer buses?

Our current wire based system really isn't working. Ever seen 5 buses go in the other direction? That's because they cannot turn around when they hit congestion in the loop.

-Think modern, think logistics
-Also maybe use some of these greener buses they have been testing forever.
-Perhaps remove all the gross decals as there isn't even competition to advertise against!

Posted by: Stephen at March 11, 2008 5:03 PM | Quote Comment