Sadly, another year of typing has come to a close.
That means it’s time again to raid the brain’s storage locker and come up with a list that aims to entertain and inform on what went down on the civic scene in 2015.
It’s also a great way to fill a page with random stuff and drop a few search engine-friendly names to bring some eyeballs to the website.
Oh, how I kid.
But what the heck, let’s try it: Donald Trump! Justin Trudeau! Barack Obama! Grumpy Cat! Kerry… Jang?
With that nonsense out of the way, let’s get to a milder form of nonsense. Here’s my list:
Best bromance between a mayor and a prime minister
Are you kidding me? That goes to Mayor Gregor Robertson and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Did you see those two at city hall in December? Just a couple of back-slapping bros doing the good work of the people.
Best way to get deep vein thrombosis and wonder why you didn’t follow your father’s advice to become a welder
Sit at the media table in the council chambers at city hall for hours and hours while councillors move amendments to the amendments and then vote on the amended amendment. That’s unless, of course, a friendly amendment is accepted by the mover of the amendment.
City councillor most likely to wear a cream-coloured suitVision Coun. Kerry Jang, who continues to rock the Ricardo Montalban-like threads and bring joy to bored reporters at the council media table looking for something to post on Twitter while suffering from leg pain.
City councillor most likely to perform a “fakie” or “anchor grind” with a skateboard
Vision Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie, who revealed in council chambers during a debate about allowing skateboards in protected bike lanes that he once was the owner of a vintage Cal240 skateboard.
City councillor most likely to be shocked, appalled and surprised
NPA Coun. George Affleck, who is routinely shocked, appalled, surprised, disappointed, skeptical and challenged by the moves of his Vision Vancouver counterparts. Never, though, has he been bamboozled, flummoxed, nonplussed or discombobulated.
Most surprising departure of a city hall staffer
That goes to longtime city manager Penny Ballem, who was dumped by the same Vision Vancouver administration that hired her way back in 2008. The “force of nature,” as the mayor described her, left with a $556,000 severance package.
Best speech by a city hall senior staffer heading into retirement
Hands down, Brian Jackson, who retired in November as the city’s head planner. Taking on his critics, he gave a remarkable and refreshing speech to an Urban Development Institute audience. He even used four-letter words.
Best booster of BMW and Kinder Morgan’s pipeline proposal
Former co-chairperson of Vision Vancouver Marcella Munro, who declared her love for her BMW and pipelines in a conversation with Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid. Vision, in case you missed it, has spent a whack of time and cash fighting Kinder Morgan’s proposal, all with the help of Munro before she jumped into her BMW and rocketed up the highway to Alberta, where she now works for Premier Rachel Notley.
Best news conference
When then-Liberal leader Justin Trudeau assembled us media types in September at Cambie and Broadway to talk transit money. Nardwuar the Human Serviette showed up with some Trudeau memorabilia and got Trudeau to do the “hip flip.” Google Nardwuar vs. Justin Trudeau for a good snort laugh, or two.
Best reason to finish typing this sentence
It’s late afternoon, I’m tired and I could use a drink of something other than the glass of water on my desk.
@Howellings
