For the Victoria Locals: Vote For Nick Baker For City Council
November 14th, 2008, 1 Comment »
I confess near-complete apathy towards local politics. I voted in Vancouver once or twice, but it was from a position of near naivete. My interest in politics declines as it becomes more local. People try to convince me that local politics is where my vote counts most. That may be true, but I care a lot more about, say, saving the Great Bear Rainforest (more on this next week) or our troops in Afghanistan than a sewage treatment plant for Victoria.
Both issues matter, but one matters a lot less in my worldview.
In any case, tomorrow I’m getting out to vote in my local election. That’s because our personal trainer, Nick Baker, is running for city council. He’s a thoughtful guy, and makes sense on the issues that seem to matter to Victorians:
I applaud the efforts made by the city to handle the homelessness problem, but it feels like too little, too late. The emphasis on homelessness, while definitely an important issue, neglects or even directs blame to the wrong people for the mess our downtown has become. Drug use and addictions need more aggressive tactics to rid our streets of the drugs and crime. by focusing on providing safe detox centers with ongoing rehabilitation, we can save lives and money.
Debating strategies for combating drug addiction has also made working out slightly less miserable.
Nick’s also got a Facebook page.
On the Vancouver Front
I spent some time trying to identify the major differences between Peter Ladner and Gregor Robertson, the two leading candidates in the Vancouver mayoral race. I’ve met Mr. Ladner, and he seemed like a savvy, straight-up guy (and apparently a former editor of Monday Magazine). He gave me a straight, non-politcal answer to a question I asked about (of all things) landfills. A bunch of my peers advocate strongly for Mr. Robertson.
Looking at their platforms, I’m having a hard time picking between them. I don’t have a vote in Vancouver, so happily it’s academic.
Who are you voting for, wherever you live (assuming, you know, that you live in BC)?