Jazz Holes, Engineering, Election Week in Review
Monday November 7th Participated in an inclusive all candidates debate for Vancouver City Council at the Hastings Community Centre. It was well organized, all independent candidates were invited to respond to questions. I stumbled through the sex trade stuff but I think I’ve addressed that now in a coherent fashion. This debate was more of a love in between all the candidates who participated, none of us differed much on most issues.
Tuesday November 8th It will come to me but right now I can’t remember.
Wednesday November 9th Youth Alcohol and Drug Agencies mayoral debate.
Thursday November 10th PIVOT Legal Society debate at Vancouver’s Shaw Theatre on Hasting Street. 
The debate was by invite only and I only found out about it the night before when I received an email invitation because I am on PIVOT’s email list. I wasn’t able to participate but I handed out some cards and listened to what two of the other mayoral candidates had to say. I met council candidate Kim Capri and had a chance to ask her about the NPA’s crime prevention commissioner idea. She said that the commissioner’s role would be similar to the role of Don McPherson, the City of Vancouver’s co-ordinator of drug policy. I am still not convinced that role would be better served by city hall instead of the VPD but I like her explanation. I also met Alan De Genova from the Parks Board. I can understand why he is well liked across the political party spectrum and in our conversation I was glad to learn that the private sector is actively involved in creating social income housing other than just Woodward’s.
Friday November 11th I attended a Fundraiser for Vancouver City Council candidate WENDYTHIRTEEN featuring a band called the Jazz Holes. The band was absolutely 100 percent fantastic! Instruments of choice were an electric guitar and bass, trumpet, drums and some sort of small woodwind instrument from Turkey. They played stuff from Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and others as well as a few of their own works. A young woman with her hair about a foot high fashioned mohawk style, sang two songs, one she had written herself. Her voice was crystal clear. In between sets a folksinger guy with street attitude sang a few original songs accompanied by his electric, acoustic Takamine (anybody who plays a Takamine is ok by me!). He was hilarious and had the whole club clapping and singing along. By midnight the Jazz Holes were done and it was time for me to leave so I missed the second band, Nuckleheads. This was the first ever candidate fundraiser I have attended. Are they all this good?
On my way home from the Asbalt, walking along Hastings, I noticed two city engineering trucks with a couple of guys with brooms and dustpans. After talking to one of them I learned that a couple of weeks ago the city expanded this project from one guy. This City of Vancouver Crew sweeps and cleans the sidewalks along Hastings Street from Main to Nanaimo and then does the same along Cordova. They work from 10PM to 6AM 7 days a week. It reminded me of the alleyway cleaning work that VANDU: Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users was doing a few years ago (maybe they still are?)
As one of the city crew guys told me “it keeps the streets cleaner and safer”
Great work guys!
Saturday November 12th Street Carding at Burrard and Smithe in front of the IGA. More than one person who accepted my card thought I was campaigning for the next federal election. Its disappointing when Vancouverites don’t even know that municipal elections are less than a week away.