Whine vs. Snivel

24 Hours continues covering the battle between the city and the province over the lack of a permanent emergency homeless facility.

The battle pits Burnaby-Willington backbencher John Nuraney against Mayor Derek Corrigan as snivel and whine, according to the free daily. This could be a preview of the 2009 race in Nuraney's riding, and homelessness will likely be a major issue.

Late delivery

Peter Julian and Jack Layton's NDP held a community forum this past Saturday to discuss Afghanistan. The Burnaby-New Westminster MP notified local residents of the gathering through his regular newsletter, whic arrived four days after the event.

Maybe it is time for an investigation into Canada Post by the crusading local politician. Together with the anti-lumber agreement stance, that collection of issues should allow Julian re-election to a third term against three newcomer opponents from the Liberals, Conservatives, and Greens.

Shelter from the snow

24 Hours is reporting that Burnaby is the only municipality that gets provincial emergency shelter funding that lacks a homelessness shelter. There is a problem with that concept somewhere. Council should probably do less letter writing on this item and take a look at this issue before it snows next winter.

How will Santa vote?

The 4th Annual Edmonds Santa Claus Parade is this Saturday. Along with Jolly Old St. Nick, there will be a few political elves on parade.

Mayor Derek Corrigan, MLAs Raj Chouhan and Harry Bloy, and MP Peter Julian will be taking part as will Ryan Warawa, one of the candidates seeking the Burnaby-New Westminster Conservative nod for the next election.

All the political festive activity begins at 10AM along Edmonds between Canada Way and Fulton.

Stop signs and speed bumps

The comments of some recent posts have some extensive debates taking place.

Now, let's throw open another debate. What is Burnaby's top civic priority? Traffic calming (see above)? Public safety? Homelessness? Economic development? Burnaby Lake? The environment? Gateway? Regional issues? Water turbidity? None of the above?

Good citizens, let it fly in the comments.

Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military.

The A-Team slogan sounds a lot more exciting than civic politics.

But on the topic of civic politics, The Electors' Action Movement (TEAM) Burnaby held their one year down/two to go fundraiser this past week. At least part of Burnaby still thinks someone can do a better job than Derek Corrigan and the Burnaby Citizens' Association crowd. For now, it is time to resume waiting for the chance to take charge of City Hall.

O'Connor in New West

National Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor was in New Westminster earlier this week for a Conservative breakfast event. Co-hosted by the Tories in the Burnaby-New Westminster riding, the event was held in the riding of NDP defence critic Dawn Black.

This was an interesting choice of location. Perhaps, Paul Forseth's old riding could return to the right-hand side of the political spectrum if this was done intentionally. Burnaby-New Westminster also borders the riding of Liberal defence critic and Bob Rae supporter Ujjal Dosanjh.

Remebrance Day

Veterans and many other individuals will be at the cenotaphs around the Lower Mainland and across Canada today as Canada honours those who sacrificed in all wars and conflicts.

Corrigan pays tribute to Drummond

Former Burnaby mayor Doug Drummond passed away last week. Current mayor Derek Corrigan paid tribute to his BCA predecessor in the Burnaby Now while council member Nick Volkow's comments are found in the Newsleader.

Winnipeg Sun calls Julian "full o' bluster"

Today's Winnipeg Sun called Peter Julian's fillibuster a part of what's wrong with the current minority Parliament.

Yesterday, Peter Julian kept a committee tied up for 15 or so hours as he worked through nearly 100 minor changes to the softwood lumber agreement. By the end of the evening, the other MPs did not seem to be too happy with the Burnaby NDPer. The agreement moves forward despite Julian's day of delay.

Tequila Sunrise

As some early rising BC Liberals were getting up for the final breakfast of Convention '06 in Penticton, the more energetic and enthusiastic members were knocking back the last of "Fire and Ice," the Cloverdale-Burrard MLAs co-production from Friday night.

With the witching hour long gone, and B.C. liquor laws a thing of the past under a free market government, things were still hopping well past five in the morning. It was a very early Saturday/late Friday night for those BC Liberals brave enough to handle both the end of Friday's festivities and the start of Saturday's speechifying.

Tennessy for MP?

Tony Tennessy, the outgoing VANOC director, may be on his way into electoral politics. The Operating Engineers money man is an old ally of Sheila Copps, who in post Paul Martin Liberal circles is gaining some renewed respect.

Could Anthony Tennessy be a name on a Liberal ballot in Burnaby-Douglas? Maybe over in the other Burnaby riding?

Will the Burnaby Liberals be out to get their old friend into the House of Commons sometime after December's leadership convention in Montreal?

Colder than...

The weather at the BC Liberal convention in Penticton is all the rage. Its being compared to a union negotiator at bargaining time and the current Premier circa 1996.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's party (cowboy theme again?) should warm things up in a little bit.