Frankly Speaking

Santa Claus has a bag full of goodies for the newsmakers among us. This is an update of a sneak preview of gifts Santa has for some of the newsmakers who affect our lives. The original was written in the midst of the windstorm of Dec. 20, just before the power went out at my home and in thousands of other places on or near the B.C. south coast. Of course, that was the day the White Rock pier broke apart in the storm, and the day the electoral reform referendum results came down. As a result of all that, Santa let me know that an update of the gifts he was giving was required. Over a bowl of Christmas cheer, I acquiesced. Santa had to change his list quite dramatically this year – even as late as Thursday, Dec. 20. So many of the politicians he had gifts for were summarily dumped by voters in October, and that didn’t give the elves in his workshop much time to retool. However, he’s managed to do his best with the time he had available. He knew earlier that Linda Hepner ...

The major changes in direction on Surrey and White Rock councils demanded by voters can be summed up in one word – “growth.” Voters do not want growth, at least in the way it has occurred. They want growth which is managed and manageable. Above all, they want infrastructure which keeps pace with growth, and is not constantly overwhelmed by it. Other issues flow from this – how best to follow the Official Community Plan in White Rock; what kind of rapid transit system is best for Surrey; how can people who move here be assured there is space in the schools; what type of police force makes the most sense in a fast-growing Surrey; how to better listen and respond to citizen concerns. Doug McCallum accomplished a very rare feat on Saturday. After 13 years out of office, he is back as mayor, and his Safe Surrey Coalition elected seven of the eight councillors. One Surrey First councillor was elected. Not a single incumbent was returned to Surrey council – an unprecedented and dra...

The Miramar Village development by Bosa Properties was the first major high-rise development in White Rock. The number of high-rises planned has become an election issue in the seaside city. Photo from Bosa Properties An update: I was one of the moderators at a candidates' meeting for the councillor candidates on Oct. 2, sponsored by the South Surrey-White Rock Chamber of Commerce. Twenty of the 22 candidates attended. The issues discussed included revitalization, attracting business to White Rock, zoning and high-rises. The overall sense I came away with is that most of the candidates want to improve communication with residents and business owners, using both formal and informal methods. There are a lot of good choices for the next council - I urge those wanting to vote to check out websites, social media, the Peace Arch News, White Rock Sun and other sources. White Rock’s election is going to be fascinating. Two slates are going all out to control council, and si...