Politicial story of the year

The city's dominant political issue of the year was also the city's dominant politician. Mayor Derek Corrigan was everywhere.

According to Maclean's, he leads the best run city in Canada. That feat alone should be the top story, but Corrigan did other things this year.

He laid the groundwork in past years by standing up to VANOC and the province. He continued to build this year, overseeing a council that brought a new library to town and changed the way garbage pickup worked. He also continued to fight with the province and was a non-joiner as far as the Olympic love-in went.

With the NDP in solid control of the two federal seats, city hall and school board, Corrigan and the NDP team built on the city's left-wing dominance by electing the mayor's wife Kathy Corrigan as MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake, the city's safest Liberal seat on paper.

With the NDP-linked Burnaby Citizens in firm control, Corrigan has dominated the city in a way few politicians have. For that the mayor, despite the city's faults, is the political story of the year.

Not everyone has turned their mind away from school

As the kids enjoy another week before a return to class, former District PAC head Brian Joe laments the lack of attention paid to school trustees.

Would giving power over schools to city councils make a difference? Would having a more engaged school board help?

A Christmas miracle!

(We found this gem over at Public Eye Online.)

For those of you who care a little too much, former one-term BC Liberal MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds Patty Sahota is now on the board of the Industry Training Authority.

Sahota lost her seat in 2005 to NDPer Raj Chouhan, who is currently serving his second term.

Poison ivy rather than missletoe

Conservative Burnaby-New Westminster candidate Paul Forseth hosted a Christmas breakfast fundraiser in New Westminster this morning. Critical of the opposition, Forseth spoke to a crowd of approximately 50 supporters about the need to be ready for an election now.

Forseth will challenge three-term NDP incumbent Peter Julian whenever an election is called.

What a month

What a month for Burnaby. November brought automated garbage and yard waste collection began a little over a week ago. Burnaby also now has the new Tommy Douglas Library branch.

Which one will have a bigger impact on the city?