The most important municipal election in decades. Voter turn out is critical. All ages, make a plan to get your vote cast. Lets break all records for voter turn out.

Ep 1: Episode 1: Brief discussion on the issues and topics to be covered over the next couple of weeks.

October 17th, Saturday, election day, lets all get out and VOTE.  It is time for every Victorian aged 18 and above to plan to get out and vote.  Before election day please use your own eyes, ears and brain to absorb the state of Victoria.  Not just around the inner harbor or a few blocks on Government Street, get around town and look closely at areas most folks typically avoid.  It is a complete lack of improvement in these areas that I feel should be the number one priority for local government.  There are many issues that need to be considered but the number one priority should be reversal of the downtown decay that is growing within the city.  The number one priority!

Ep 2: Episode 2: Downtown Victoria Recovery and Vibrancy

The sad truth about downtown Victoria is that small business is suffering, the quaint shops are closing down, being replaced by empty commercial spaces.  Just count the "For Lease" signs.  

Victoria thrives during the summer months as tourists arrive and visit our incredible attractions.  Outside of these attractions the homeless/unhoused issue is growing.  There is dread and an uneasy feeling of danger that is growing.  More police officers have been hired, additional bylaw officers have been deployed.  This makes no overall difference.  It only allows the movement of the worst areas from one location of Victoria to another location.

If this continues to be the case tourists will take notice.  Already I have had dozens of conversations with tourists staying in the hotel.  They are surprised at the amount and condition of the street folks and the open drug use.

You have to know they will not be leaving out those details as they tell their friends the travel stories when they get home.  It will not all be roses.  The word will get out. 

It is time to vote for leadership that has a plan to reverse the current course.

Ep 3: Episode 3: Homelessness & Public Safety

Affordable housing is not an option in downtown Victoria.  Call it is what it truly is, taxpayer funded housing.  Increasing property taxes.  Increasing Provincial income taxes.  More and more taxes to fund ineffective projects.

There has to be a comprehensive, multi government plan tabled.  There can no longer be extremism as part of our government thinking and planning.  A centered approach with both the left and the right providing ideas.  Nothing extreme.  Well thought out middle ground approaches to these tough problems.

If we allow extremism to flourish, eventually the solution looks like extremism the other direction.  An ugly, expensive waste of time and resources.

Middle ground, the left working with the right, the right working with the left.  A solid go forward plan identified and supported by most/all.  What a concept.  Finally the massive barge pointed in the right direction being propelled forward by true leaders and their teams.

Ep 4: Episode 4: Municipal Budget and Taxes

Just some common sense commentary on what an average downtown person sees everyday.  It just does not mesh with what local politicians are trying to get you to believe.  It is not getting better, it is getting worse and still more money is being spent poorly.

Ep 5: Episode 5: Parking Issues and Parkades

As soon as most downtown visitors realize that the once vibrant downtown core is a shell of what it used to be and it is very challenging to find suitable parking, they will choose to stay in their neighborhoods or head out to the Westshore.  Many businesses have successfully re-located to the Western Communities.  More will follow suit.  If the trend stays as it is today many more small businesses will make the move to greener town centers.  Once a mass exodus occurs it will be very difficult to turn it around.  Many significant areas of downtown Victoria will become derelict.