Day Maker - Owen Kennedy

I ran into Owen Kennedy while riding up to rowing this morning. He walks from his Berwick on the Lake residence about the same time every Sunday. Owen was on Nanaimo City Council with Frank Ney and even ran against him one time for Mayor. Jolly sort, wonderful spirit and drive even thou he is losing his vision now in his mid 80's.


He still has big ideas to make the world a better place, he met the Occupy Nanaimo group recently and is working on a new social structure system - wow, I feel like a lightweight next to him.  


He made my day - said he voted for me

To Core or not to Core, that is the Question

The following 2 quotes are from:

CITY OF NANAIMO FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN 2012 – 2016

SECTION 1 Page 1

Executive Summary  

Report from the City Manager    

"A core services review is not the best way.............to deal with this concern about City operations"

"There is no point doing a core review without first undertaking a strategic plan" 

So is a Core Review bad or good?  

I don't need to know what a Core Review is, to sense the uncertainty in the "mixed" message contained in those 2 statements above.  If it is an inappropriate tool or misguided exercise then qualifying its use just makes me wonder if there is in fact, some good to be had.

The question of a Core Review dominates the City Managers Report on Page 1 and 2 of the 210 pages of accompanying explanations, graphs, charts and account by account, year by year details.  Good, Staff has a plan.  Life (and city operations) goes on.  City operations is a dynamic, moving process.    Corners are not turned, rather gentle changes of direction are "initiated". Unless someone "moves" to change it, an "internal auditor" will be hired to answer a question that I see as:

 "Can Nanaimo be more functional and efficient"?

Clear direction is required. It is time for unambiguous policy decision from Nanaimo Council.  What do the people want?  

Are we going to see debate and vote on this question? 

Is it "Core" time?  

Communications Manager needed in Nanaimo

Title:  Communications Manager needed in Nanaimo

Good words, written boldly on the back of my UBC Marketing Club t-shirt are

 "Nothing Happens Until Somebody Sells Something.”

Professional Communications is essential to Nanaimo going forward, it is desperately needed. There are people with World Class training and experience involved with every aspect of our City. It is time to put an equally high quality face on it. We have the high priced professionals in Finance, IT, Engineering, Planning, Operations, Parks and Recreation. Nanaimo is walking the walk; it’s time to step up and "talk the talk.

It is like a recent Candidate for Mayor I know who started the campaign with hands folded and black & white photocopied flyers. I quickly realized it was tacky, unprofessional and way below the standard people expected. Investment in professional communications brought me into the game. It does matter; it simply is not good enough to be good, looking good is essential.

Negativity towards the City hiring a Communications Manager exposes a lack of appreciation for professionalism in general - for why we bother doing things right and not just "good enough"

I am a professional marketer and have been since my UBC Commerce Marketing degree and work with IBM. It was as a marketing professional in 1976 with Molson's that I was introduced to Nanaimo. That year we sponsored the Nanaimo Amateur Golf tournament and (along with Mickey Mantle and Bob Ueker) of the opening of Serauxman Stadium.

A big issue in the recent election was the lack of "Transparency." For people to see what is going on, someone has to get the information out - efficiently. Volume and accuracy demands skill with a variety of tools and procedures. Like a surgeon who has to get it right for the patient to live, we need someone that can connect with the community in a timely and accurate manner in order for Nanaimo to live and grow. It is a complex, sophisticated and at times just boring, hard work job. It has to be done and done right. It’s not about "PR", not about "spinning", it’s about moving information when and where it’s needed, quickly and accurately.

Nanaimo has issues - money, control, waste, land use, culture, parks etc, etc.  Like any marriage with issues - a mediator, consultant or "councilor" will first and foremost suggest steps to improve "communications".  Well, let’s take a lead from life, if nowhere else and give it try. The top three positions in the City are accountants; let’s have a little balance. I want a salesman to run the world too.

Supportive Housing spurs Development

I bet you thought you had heard it all about Supportive Housing in Nanaimo's north end. 

Guess what?  

There’s more. It is stimulating growth - new opportunities for development and tax revenue.

During the 2011 civic election campaign I petitioned in favour of the Uplands Supportive House.  I called on about 1000 homes and businesses in the area around the planned location at Uplands Drive at Hammond Bay Rd. This location is near the centre of the image below where the brown, yellow and pink connect. Most of the big orange area is Woodgrove Mall.

This image is a zoning map.  The colours represent the different uses that are allowed under Nanaimo's zoning bylaw. Brown is agricultural (farming). Yellow is residential (houses, apartments). Pink is community service (schools, library, fire halls). The brown shaded area at the centre is the home of Green Thumb Nursery. 

It has been the home of the current owner since 1959.   The owner declined to sign my petition that day in November and expressed a readiness to sell the property and move. In the weeks since then I have come to realize that the comment was serious, that time and money has gone into preparing for a move.  

I choose to believe that several factors brought this on and that the supportive housing location is neither the main or even a significant reason. Perhaps it is a straw, as in "the straw that broke the camel's back."  I can relate to the situation in that like my own, the family has several generations.  I have learned to respect 3 different perspectives - the veteran wisdom, the youthful will and the responsibility of being in between.  

When I realized a move was serious, I took a different point of view. I looked at the map again and asked okay, what would I want to see where that big brown patch is? What colour would I make it? Woodgrove Mall is Nanaimo's #1 Taxpayer with almost $4 Million/yr or 3.1% of the $128 Million total collected.  I know a big water bill is coming so more tax revenue is good - right?

I got the appraisal and made a few calls. I do know people that have done and are doing things like buying, selling and building golf courses, shopping centres, care homes and hotels. This led to a call from someone in big "D" Development.  

As a small "d" developer I know the recipe or process for adding value to land. The result can be a tasty blend of profit, growth and opportunity - a win, win, win for business, families and the community as a whole.  

Dam Good Reason for Newcastle Bridge

I published the email below on an earlier post and realized it needs to stand alone.  This is about money. It is about paying for Nanaimo's $65 Million Dam & water treatment.  I am having trouble explaining the connection.   Can anyone do a better job?  Please Susan....:)

From: "Volker Grady" <v.grady@coasthotels.com>

Date: December 2, 2011 9:31:29 AM PST

To: "Jim Routledge" <jim@jimroutledge.com>

Cc: "Bill Merrilees" <bmerilees@hotmail.com>

Subject: NEWCASTLE ISLAND ACCESSIBILITY

Thanks Jim

 

I wonder what mandate the Newcastle Island Society has.

I am very disappointed and concerned about their attitude towards accessibility to the Island. 

Ferry access has never worked and never will and that is why we need the bridge.

Ask how many locals have been on the Island and you will be shocked.  We have become a very lazy and spoiled society and can't be bothered with the hassle of dealing with yet another ferry.  

 

What good is "status and appeal" if nobody ever goes over there and how do you take that to the bank anyway?

I have traveled a lot and have catered to tourists for 37 years in my career to learn that the attention span of visitors (thanks to technology) is getting shorter and their craving for more exciting experiences is getting more intense.  Therefore if an attraction is too cumbersome to access it drops off their itinerary like a hot potato.  Ferries are too vulnerable for many reasons and reputable tour operators can not include them as they pose a huge liability.  So if that isn't a show stopper I don't know what is.  We may as well move on right now and not waste another 12 years before the political will learns again the hard way that they should listen to experts in tourism if in fact they are sincere about wanting our economy to improve.

 

Why am I bellyaching you ask? I see Newcastle as one of the most promising attractions we desperately need in order to draw more tourists into Nanaimo.  

More tourists means more Hotels will come and everybody wins at the end since that is what seems to concern the Mayor the most right now.

We must be a tourist destination first before we can expect any serious conventions to book our Conference Centre.  Our industry, specialists and the City's own expensive studies told politicians that a decade ago, but they know better of course.  Anyway, give tourists a good reason to come and we'll need more Hotels, earn the "destination" status and conventions will follow.  It's that simple.  If that isn't prudent economic development then I don't know what is.  

 

Newcastle is potentially to Nanaimo what Stanley Park is to Vancouver and we are missing out on serious traffic the Island is liable to generate.

I am all about sustainability, which is why I suggested that the bridge must be controlled.  It must not be free, except for locals who get certain privileges of sorts. 

Tourists have a perception that if it is free it can't be any good so they stay away and look for serious experiences and bragging rights elsewhere. 

No point having a bridge though without the infrastructure that first and foremost protects and celebrates the natural, historical and cultural attributes Newcastle Island offers.

That is why access must be controlled, otherwise you'll have bunch of "occupy Nanaimo" activists pitch their tents over there before too long.

 

Sorry for being so blunt today, but after being subjected to 12 years of political arrogance I am not going to hold back any more.

 

Best regards,

 

 Volker Grady

General Manager

...at your service!

Coast Bastion Inn
Tel. (250) 753-6601

Direct: (250) 753-2977 x 2201
Fax (250) 753-4155

Nanaimo's new Economic Analyser - Susan Cudahy on Shaw Cable4 "The Show"

Nanaimo Economic Development Corp (NEDC) - CEO Susan Cudahy on Shaw Cable4's "The Show"

Good introduction to Nanaimo's newest Civic Leader - Susan Cudahy is the Chief Exectutive Officer of the new Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation.

She was on Shaw Cable 4 "The Show" with Kait Burgan recently:

Shaw Cable 4 video - the first 8 minutes at the beginning of this Show

http://youtu.be/cRE1aIDo19g

Susan lays out her Goals:
1) Get Nanaimo on Global Investment Radar
2) Business Retention & Expansion
3) Tourism - reduce drive thru
4) Balance Tax Assessment - Commercial, Industrial & Residential

Her role is to create an environment for Jobs.

Nanaimo's Product Value Proposition is strong: University, Airport, Downtown, Cruise Dock

Best Line was said in closing:

"Nanaimo is like a 13yr old child.  It is on the precipice of everything its going to be in the next little while.  And it can go either way, it is up to us at this point.
But it has a great grounding and I think it has a phenomenal future ahead"

Newcastle Bridge - Over My Dead Body

Newcastle Bridge - Over My Dead Body

Good words, directed in fiery passion to me in 1986 by a pillar of the "then" Nanaimo community. His name will remain off this page out of respect. Time in fact, has moved on, leaving a legacy from him that includes schools, parks and boardroom walls. I know I am treading on truly sacred ground with this idea of a bridge to Newcastle Island. There had better be a dam good reason.

I had some history laid out here for you but it’s really only interesting to me - the point now is that I have shown respect and waited my turn and I do intend to take it or go down trying.

The idea of a bridge to Newcastle is as obvious to me now as it was in 1986, as obvious as was Vancouver filling in the area by Lost Lagoon to access Stanley Park. It is far beyond being an opportunity; it is an embarrassment that we have not taken the opportunity.

How can I expect others to come here and build things like hotels, foot ferries and a multiplex if I do nothing with the gold mine in my back yard?  I whine and try to give away incentives yet I use none of my own resources to attract wealth and visitors – it’s embarrassing.

Perhaps I am a bit grouchy from the hangover after a heady election run. Today I sat and listened politely to a bank employee tell me all the reasons why a Newcastle bridge would be a bad idea, why development within the city of any kind is bad and why she does not want or need a foot ferry, hotel or a multiplex. She also said that the last time she was at Newcastle was over 2 years ago. Oh, she also dislikes my "end" of town, the "end" she works in.

This attitude is embarrassing. Why does something new automatically have something wrong with it?

I compare what Kelowna has done in the past 20 years. I look at the population, economic growth, social programming, and attitude of our then near twin. Now Kelowna is clearly a bigger and better civic sibling.

I have been pitching a "walk in the park". But it’s way beyond that now. It’s a matter of slowing higher taxes, slowing unemployment growth and slowing economic recession.  

Nanaimo: we have a gold mine in our back yard!  I wonder if we are ever going to get embarrassed enough to use it.

There is a Newcastle Development Plan - check out the links at bottom of my home page:
http://www.jimroutledge.com/


regards
Jim Routledge
Nanaimo


The following email conversation & newspaper article highlight some differences of opinion on this subject.  I encourage you to start learning about Newcastle - the history, the present situation and decide for yourself what part it might play in Nanaimo's future.

From: "Volker Grady" <v.grady@coasthotels.com>

Date: December 2, 2011 9:31:29 AM PST

To: "Jim Routledge" <jim@jimroutledge.com>

Cc: "Bill Merrilees" <bmerilees@hotmail.com>

Subject: Re: The attached facility is rather inspiring, can you see it on Newcastle? I can...

Thanks Jim

I wonder what mandate the Newcastle Island Society has.

I am very disappointed and concerned about their attitude towards accessibility to the Island. 

Ferry access has never worked and never will and that is why we need the bridge.

Ask how many locals have been on the Island and you will be shocked.  We have become a very lazy and spoiled society and can't be bothered with the hassle of dealing with yet another ferry.  

What good is "status and appeal" if nobody ever goes over there and how do you take that to the bank anyway?

I have traveled a lot and have catered to tourists for 37 years in my career to learn that the attention span of visitors (thanks to technology) is getting shorter and their craving for more exciting experiences is getting more intense.  Therefore if an attraction is too cumbersome to access it drops off their itinerary like a hot potato.  Ferries are too vulnerable for many reasons and reputable tour operators can not include them as they pose a huge liability.  So if that isn't a show stopper I don't know what is.  We may as well move on right now and not waste another 12 years before the political will learns again the hard way that they should listen to experts in tourism if in fact they are sincere about wanting our economy to improve.

Why am I bellyaching you ask? I see Newcastle as one of the most promising attractions we desperately need in order to draw more tourists into Nanaimo.  

More tourists means more Hotels will come and everybody wins at the end since that is what seems to concern the Mayor the most right now.

We must be a tourist destination first before we can expect any serious conventions to book our Conference Centre.  Our industry, specialists and the City's own expensive studies told politicians that a decade ago, but they know better of course.  Anyway, give tourists a good reason to come and we'll need more Hotels, earn the "destination" status and conventions will follow.  It's that simple.  If that isn't prudent economic development then I don't know what is.  

Newcastle is potentially to Nanaimo what Stanley Park is to Vancouver and we are missing out on serious traffic the Island is liable to generate.

I am all about sustainability, which is why I suggested that the bridge must be controlled.  It must not be free, except for locals who get certain privileges of sorts. 

Tourists have a perception that if it is free it can't be any good so they stay away and look for serious experiences and bragging rights elsewhere. 

No point having a bridge though without the infrastructure that first and foremost protects and celebrates the natural, historical and cultural attributes Newcastle Island offers.

That is why access must be controlled, otherwise you'll have bunch of "occupy Nanaimo" activists pitch their tents over there before too long.

Sorry for being so blunt today, but after being subjected to 12 years of political arrogance I am not going to hold back any more.

Best regards,

Volker Grady

General Manager

...at your service!

Coast Bastion Inn
Tel. (250) 753-6601

Direct: (250) 753-2977 x 2201
Fax (250) 753-4155

>>> Jim Routledge <jim@jimroutledge.com> 12/1/2011 10:18 PM >>>

Good to hear Volker - a little controversy helps to raise awareness.  I went to a meeting of the Newcastle Island Society (NCIS they say)  today and also applied for membership - I cant beat these guys so I figured it best to join them.  They are good people, a small group comprised of 3 retired gentleman and a lady plus the owner of a pub where we met. I understand there are a few more who missed this meeting.

I worked with Bill Merilees at Newcastle in 1985/6 when I was manager of the Newcastle Island Pavilion Society (NIPS).  NCIS is a refined descendant of NIPS.  Bill is a well respected Naturalist, Author, Newcastle Island Expert and long time Provincial Park Staff member.  He loves Newcastle Island and wants the world to see it, by boat only however.   We are so close on our views about Newcastle Island that we can shake hands through the fence that separates us.

I hope that one way or the other our "controversy" will get people talking, thinking and moving towards improved access.

I am inspired by this group - they treated me with respect and welcomed my thoughts today.  I learned from them and am making new connections as a result.

Today after the meeting, I was invited to do a Shaw TV interview on Dec 8 3:30pm to 5:00pm at the Shaw Building on Boban Rd.  

Kait Burgan the host, was going to try to get Bill Merilees also, so as to weigh the pros & cons of a bridge.  I hope Bill accepts the invitation.

I am curious how the vote to accept my NCIS membership application will go.  It could be front page drama if declined :)

Bill - for the record - Volker is the manager of the Coast Bastion (he is the new Lou Rolefson)  Volker found and kept a copy of the LEAD study - what does that say?

Regards

Jim Routledge  250 616 2151

jim@jimroutledge.com

www.jimroutledge.com

www.jimsworld2012.blogspot.com

Twitter: @JimRoutledge

FaceBook: facebook/routledgejim

6021 Hammmond Bay Rd.,

Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9T 5M4

On 2011-12-01, at 7:09 PM, Volker Grady wrote: 

http://www.tillicumvillage.com/

...all it needs is a bridge!

Who are those Newcastle Society people anyway?

What credential do they have?

Any authority?  I think not!

Don't get discouraged.

Cheers,

Volker

NANAIMO BULLETIN Nov 30, 2011 Front Page

Newcastle Island Bridge in the News

30-11-2011

A further examination of a pedestrian bridge

Routledge continues to test waters for bridge to Newcastle

LINK TO STORY IN BULLETIN NEWSPAPER:

http://www.jimroutledge.com/index.php?news&nid=10