Considering the time of the year, I thought – for a millisecond – that I should bring a little cleverness to this piece and knock out a riff on the Clement Clarke Moore classic, “A visit from St. Nicholas.”
But in that millisecond, I concluded that a) I’m not that clever, and b) you’ve probably read enough bastardized versions of the Christmas poem that begins with…‘Twas the night before Christmas.
Am I right?
Instead, I’m going to run through my wish list for the new year on the civic affairs beat. I’m looking ahead to 2016 because Christmas has already been taken care of, both personally and professionally.
As I tell my kids, all I ever want for Christmas – and usually receive -- is peace, love and understanding. The Elvis Costello reference has become my annual response around the house when asked to provide a list, although I do communicate that some books, music and a plate of Nanaimo bars would be nice.
What I wish for on the job is a little more complicated.
But Christmas came a few days early this year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to city hall, despite what all the grumps on social media complained about, was a refreshing break from marathon council meetings and staid, high-security briefings with Stephen Harper. (No, Trudeau didn’t make any announcements and, yes, it was essentially a victory lap. Kind of a big deal, though, that the PM was at city hall.)
Anyway, here we are closing in on 2016. It’s been quite a year on the beat, writing about pot, homelessness, viaducts, elections, transit, hirings and firings and a whole lot of other stuff to stimulate the civic mind.
But let’s move on…
Here’s what I wish for in what coincidentally will be the Year of the Monkey and the year we discover whether Donald Trump will “make America great again” -- and keep his name on a downtown tower:
· That the new city manager – whoever that may be -- have a monthly on-the-record briefing with media to answer questions about issues that arise as the year progresses. The mayor’s participation is optional.
· That city council put a stop to the year-end meetings – or any others during the year -- where heavy policy stuff and significant issues are dumped on the same agenda. The Dec. 10 meeting that dragged on for about 12 hours (in between short breaks) was a perfect example. Issues included protection for renters, funding crumbling historic buildings in Chinatown, approving new bike lanes and reviewing the compensation of city council and park board commissioners. Spread it out, already.
· That requests made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act are responded to more quickly and, when responded to, actually arrive in my inbox with some useful information. Or, even better, just send me that report or memo I asked for, without all the fuss.
· That all police board members speak freely to media without having to get approval from the board’s designated spokesperson, Mayor Gregor Robertson. That means supplying their contact information to reporters and being available and open – on deadline -- to discuss all sorts of policy, no matter how controversial the topic (pot shops, body cameras, etc.). More voices, more views are a good thing.
· That the term “affordable housing” no longer be used by politicians and developers unless they clearly define what they mean. I assume they’re really talking about rental housing that some people can afford.
· That the usual suspects who show up to council to rant about this and that take a holiday. Council already knows what you’re going to say. Please turn over the mic to those first-timers waiting patiently in the lobby.
I could go on, but I won’t.
Wishing you all peace, love and understanding.
Happy holidays, folks.
mhowell@vancourier.com
@Howellings
