I wish some Hollywood taste maker would declare, “Last Place is the new First Place.” That would be pretty groovy.
Go with yourself.
Posted in politics, WWJD? | Tagged Bad Day, Esquimalt, Municipal election, R.E.M. | 3 Comments »
Today is the day. Please go out and vote for me. My name is the last one on the ballot. True story. They did a random draw and I went from first to last… I hope that is not a metaphor for my life 😛
information on voting: http://www.esquimalt.ca
Go with yourself.
Posted in politics | Tagged Esquimalt, Municipal election | 2 Comments »
Whoa, there is only one remaining World War One veteran left.
Lest We Forget.
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Our stroller sold on Used Victoria yesterday so we are off to get a new one. Something considerably smaller. We did love of our Bumbleride, but it was giant and squeaky and drove Coral mental. and a mental Coral means a mental me, so it had to go.
Funny story… it drove Coral to the point of madness on Sunday (the day we listed it) and in her rage she called Bumbleride and left a message… or maybe emailed. On Monday they contacted her back and told her how to fix the squeaks. So I went to Rona and got lubricant and it did a tremendous job reducing the squeaks… but at this point, stroller sold. So yeah. Good story.
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From the Esquimalt Town Council Front, another letter.
—– Original Message —–From: SATo: jeremyba@shaw.caSent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 10:21 AMSubject: secondary suitesHi, Jeremy,I’ve finally gotten around to giving serious consideration to who I’ll vote for next Saturday.You’ve stated that you support increased density along Esquimalt Road near the VillageCore and Vic West border. Are you talking about increased building height beyond the10-story limit set in our Official Community Plan? I sincerely hope not. Since theMatson Lands have been developed, there is now a great, ugly, box obstructing thevery centre of my view of the Olympic mountains. I would much prefer that infilling,and secondary suites, not only be allowed, but encouraged through expeditedzoning applications, and reduced fees.SA
Esquimalt
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Thank you for the email Ms. A,
I believe that secondary suites and infill are the best way to increase density in our community while maintaining the detached family home charm of many of our neighbourhoods. It is my family’s goal to one day own our own house and having a suite for my fiancée’s mother or to rent will be the only way we’ll be able to afford the mortgage.
I believe that secondary suites and infill are the best way to increase density in our community while maintaining the detached family home charm of many of our neighbourhoods. It is my family’s goal to one day own our own house and having a suite for my fiancée’s mother or to rent will be the only way we’ll be able to afford the mortgage.
I am for increased density in the village core and along Esquimalt Road by the Vic West border. These areas have already been singled out for development in the Official Community Plan and have older apartments along there now. The OCP calls for a maximum height of 10 stories for a condo development and that sounds reasonable to me. As a town councilor I would always vote to uphold the views of the OCP when approached by developers. The benefit of this is two fold. It reflects the views of the community which what the people of Esquimalt want and it is also offers a fair process for developers. They know going into their planning of what is acceptable in Esquimalt. Development along Esquimalt Road will hopefully encourage older buildings to be replaced by more environmentally friendly (see: http://www.cagbc.org ) and ascetically pleasing apartments that improve the image of the township and increase property values for all residents.
Increased density in the village core and along Esquimalt road will add vibrancy to our town, attract a diversity in resident, attract new business, and add efficiencies in services and transit that will benefit the whole community.
I hope my answers have encouraged you to consider me on November 15th for Esquimalt Town Council.
Rock.
Jeremy Baker
Posted in neat-O gang, politics | Tagged Bumbleride, Esquimalt, Municipal election, Remembrance Day, World War One | 1 Comment »
I was rather inspired by the Gears of War video game commercial today.
The song is called “How it Ends” by Devotchka.
Devotchka did the soundtrack for the Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear film Little Miss Sunshine.
amazing song.
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I answered another question today in regards to the municipal election going down this Saturday.
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From: SM
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 10:55 AM
Subject: Esquimalt town council question
Good day Jeremy,
I listen to the zone….you rock……
On a more political note. I would love to vote for a councilman who has a crime and drug reducing idea that will actually work. It states in you blog (which by the way needs to be looked at and spelling errors corrected) you touch on police force amalgamation and that is a good position to stand, but it doesn’t give the people a statement that something must be done. Esquimalt has been my home since 2002 (and will remain my home as it has the small town community mentality). But, The crime rate in the Esquimalt area does not seem to be improving. The drug houses and apartments located by the Carlton, Cambie and Bingo Hall remain untouched and this will make it more inviting to drug-abusers and harder on making your ideas of a more touristy Esquimalt come true. Something must be done about the crime and drug aspect of our beautiful area.
On a lighter note I totally agree with the later bus routes policy you have. That will make life easier for everyone. To add to that, what about the western community people? There is only one bus with a horrible schedule that has a direct route to Langford and western exchange.
I would love to hear back from you regarding the ability to move people to the western communities. Also, if you want my vote let me know what you are going to do about the drug abuse and crime here in Esquimalt. This aspect of Esquimalt life is getting overlooked and becoming a HUGE boil that is the silky smooth ass of Esquimalt.
Zone rocks.
***
Good evening Mr. M,
Thank for rocking the Zone and listening to my show.
That said, lets get down to the business of municipal policing.
On my website I stated I supported the amalgamation of police services for the four core municipalities. I believe this is a good idea because it will share the costs more evenly over a greater population. When the Province forced the amalgamation with Victoria back in the early 2000s, it was believed that the other forces would be amalgamated as well. That has not yet happened and Esquimalt’s policing costs have doubled since. Our costs are also considerably more than Oak Bay. A town with a similar population.
This report by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce makes the case for amalgamation of police forces. http://www.victoriachamber.ca/img/content/Policies/11.pdf
The crime rate in Esquimalt has (generally) improved. It is the perception of police response times that has not. As a town councilor I would push to have our police station manned 24/7. It is currently only available during bank hours. Not acceptable even for banks, let alone the police! I would also try to make greater use of auxiliary and volunteer police services to try and improve the visibility of police in the community.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/victorianews/community/30533374.html
I would agree that being a neighbour to a drug house would be a challenge. I lived in Fernwood for years before moving to Esquimalt and understand that there are many problem associated with that. The township has begun and shown some success with the Crime Free Multi-Housing program. This program has Victoria Police work with the owners and mangers of rental properties to increase security and training to recognize problems.
http://www.esquimalt.ca/files/PDF/Publications/EsquimaltCurrentJune2008.pdf
My wish list for transit would include greater late night service to the downtown core to facilitate safe transportation to a fun night out and give Victoria residents access to Esquimalt’s pubs and nightclub. Esquimalt is uniquely situated between the downtown engine of the region and the growing suburbs of Colwood and Langford. I would support increased bus connections to Langford but I think more importantly, getting the E&N Railway online as a light commuter rail service. As well as connecting Esquimalt by bike path/trail to the galloping goose.
Tackling drug abuse is an epic challenge that I personally would not be able to single handedly solve. Saying nope to dope is something that starts with good parenting and education. People that have valuable lives and connections to their community would be less likely to risk that on drugs. I have worked briefly in foster care and know that managing peoples’ behavior is nearly impossible. All I can do is offer support and options.
Mr. M, I hope my answers are something you can get behind on November 15th.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and also for jamming out the Zone.
Rock.
Jeremy
Posted in music, politics | Tagged Crime Free Multi-Housing, Devotchka, Esquimalt, Gears of War 2, How it Ends, Light Rail Transit, Little Miss Sunshine, Municipal election, Policing, transit | 1 Comment »
My buddy Paul posted the Wazzup Guys on his Facebook the other day.
8 years ago the Wazzup leaped from advertising gimmick to… um, really popular advertising gimmick ala PC vs. Mac guy.
so what have the dudes been up to?
whoa, how topical.
and in advertising news.. check out this new Gears of War spot.
man, that is good. Almost makes me want to buy a video game. Almost.
Coral messaged me this outrageous tribute to Star Wars.
Posted in neat-O gang | Tagged Budweiser, Gears of War 2, Wazzup | 1 Comment »
Coral and I are selling some baby stuff. If you know someone that is expecting or you have a little one and could use any of our older stuff… let me know.
All proceeds form the sale are going to our Port Angeles adventure /slash/ new stroller fund.
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Coral gets bizarre obsessions from time-to-time. Yesterday she wanted me to download a guy named Adam Cohen and his track “Cry Ophelia” and an old mid-90s group Marry Me Jane.
She told me the Adam Cohen comes from her early 20s when she used to listen the Ocean all the time at night. and I procreated with her! But she does have a warm spot in heart for soft favourites of yesterday and today.
Marry Me Jane I could not track down as easily. Marry Me Jane was a band that wrote some catchy pop rock in the 90s and released a handful of albums. Only one, their self titled did anything that warrent me tlaking about them now. This album was the pseudo soundtrack for the Sarah Jessica Parker film, If Lucy Fell. The band broke up soon after. The album is out of print and not available on iTunes.
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Lastly, can anyone help me destroy… but then rebuild my computer? It is getting so slow. I want to destroy everything. Keep the pictures, documents and music and blank everything and start it fresh… is that a skill you have and can do for me for a decent price or help me do? My desktop is making me want to punch a kitten… and that sorta aggravation is not healthy.
Posted in being cheap, music | Tagged 98.5 The Ocean, Adam Cohen, Baby Stuff, Cry Ophelia, If Lucy Fell, Marry Me Jane, Sarah Jessica Parker, Used Victoria | Leave a Comment »
Saturday is a slow day.
I like it.
I want to try to hit the streets today and put up some posters and talk to some neighbours and rustle up the votes.
My competition in the election has mail outs and signs and advertising and my campaign has um… posters, ideas and me.
Today is also Coral’s niece’s birthday. McKenna is… hmmm 4 I think. Fun. We are off to Superstore to get a birthday present, some baby stuff Madelyn (you got to feed babies or they won’t grow. I read that on the wikipedia) and I think Coral wants a Caramel Doulce Cheesecake that she saw Galen Westin selling on the TV. See, commercials work.
Posted in neat-O gang | Tagged Galen Weston | 2 Comments »
Here is a little questionnaire I filled out yesterday night that I wanted to share on my blog.
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1. What is the most important thing Council can/should do to ensure we continue to maintain and make Esquimalt more livable, more community-centered, more beautiful, and more attractive to a diversity of residents and businesses?
I am a big proponent of the living street. Repurposing our roads and streets as areas to create connections instead of conduits for car traffic is something I feel strongly about. I commute to work by scooter and I enjoy waling to the store and for recreation. Right now, in my neighbourhood (Esquimalt Industrial Park) there are few sidewalks, let alone a safe path to take my family for a walk.
Living Streets recognize the roads are for all methods of transportation and are designed to allow the natural flow of cars to travel at optimal steady speeds that reduced, while allowing bicycles, pedestrians, and all modes of transportation as well.
The roads are landscaped. This makes them more organic and human. Creates scale, fights the Urban Heat Island effect, increases property value and is ascetically pleasing.
2. Under what circumstances, if any, do you think Council should override the OCP and allow greater than 10-storey buildings?
I think it would need to be a very special project to warrant over riding the OCP. The Plan was created for a purpose and it is important that council upholds the values articulated in the document. there are tools the council can create for variances with density bonusing that might have a tremendous value, but generally I would vote to uphold the values of the OCP.
3. Are you willing to set high standards for developments in Esquimalt even if developers make threats and/or throw lots of promises of money to the municipality.? What is an example of a high standard to you?
LEED certification is the future of development. A high standard to me would be buildings that adhere to the principles of LEED.
4. What do you think are the three most important qualities of a Councilor/Mayor as far as ensuring that our Council works together and displays a professional and mature face to us the citizens and the rest of the region?
A) Educated. There are some very complex and politically and emotionally charged issues that come up for the council to vote on. It is important that councilors have the facts before moving forward with a vote.
B) Concise. Councils need to be clear when communicated their ideas.
C) Plugged In. Councilors must be able to listen to the community and hear what we want. But must also show an intuition to recognize trends that the mainstream society may not know of yet, but once taught of, will embrace.
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Neat-O gang. Pol Plastino did a great job filling if the modern Rock Countdown for me this weekend, so please give him your time.
Corj and I are off to Port Angeles next week for a little holiday and rainy adventure. Its going to be a pretty budget holiday, but that will make it all the more exciting.
If you live in Esquimalt, I might be knocking on your door this saturday. I hope its not raining too hard. I need ot step up one more level in this final week of campaigning.
Go with yourself.
Posted in politics | Tagged Esquimalt, Municipal election, Port Angeles | Leave a Comment »
Posted in history 101 | Tagged breathe me, Sia | Leave a Comment »
The Morning After 