So long, Loretta
Last week I tried to catch up with the four outgoing park board commissioners for an update, but was unable to reach former COPEster Loretta Woodcock. The most recently elected commissioners were sworn in Monday night.
Woodcock served on the board for nine years, at one time as part of a COPE majority and most recently as the lone voice of that party on park board. Woodcock says the legacy she leaves includes her 2003 initiative to celebrate International Women's Day at a growing number of community centres and city hall.
"In the future, I hope that International Women's Day will turn into a city-wide celebration, much as Diwali and Pride days are today," says Woodcock.
She adds another goal she achieved was to have money approved in the latest capital plan to begin the restoration of Beaver Lake, a significant wetland for birds, amphibians, fish and wildlife in Stanley Park.
Woodcock says her biggest concern about the park board moving forward is increasing maintenance and operating costs.
"City hall, in its effort to prevent the escalation of house taxes, puts pressure on the park board to reduce its dependence on city taxes," Woodcock wrote to me in an email. "At the same time, the park board tries to keep recreational user fees affordable for low-income individuals, young families and seniors. This puts a squeeze on current and future park boards to continually seek innovative and sometimes controversial ways to raise their revenues."
What she won't miss? Woodcock estimates she attended more than 2,400 park board-related meetings or events in the past nine years.
Today Woodcock plans to focus on her career in labour relations in the health care sector.
In my Central Park column last week, I mistakenly described outgoing Green Party commissioner Stuart Mackinnon as an elementary school teacher, when in fact he teaches high school. Brave man.
For the troops
Vancouver residents once again have the opportunity to send their best wishes and thoughts to members of the Canadian military serving overseas at Christmas.
Starting today, Dec. 7, a large banner will be on display at Sears on Robson and everyone is welcome to add written greetings and messages to it. After Dec. 11 the banner will be forwarded to the HMCS Vancouver, a navy ship stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. A special ceremony takes place Dec. 7 at Sears on Robson at 12:30 p.m., which includes members of the military as well as the father of a soldier deployed to Afghanistan.
Caught on tape
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House is taking part in the 2011 Project For Awesome (P4A), an initiative that sees participants from around the world submit short videos about their favourite charities, non-profit groups or individuals who make a difference. Beginning Dec. 17 and continuing for 48 hours, people from around the world can view and then vote on their favourite videos as part of P4A.
The goal is to increase awareness, and hopefully donations, to a group or person doing good work for others. Volunteer Marcia Doherty took it upon herself to get Kits House involved this year. She says eight Vancouver youths made the video, which describes the community building, support and programs offered through Kits House. Doherty has also created a Facebook page and blog for information and updates.
See video here.
Twitter: @sthomas10
