Richmond’s dynamic council battle offsets dull mayoral campaign

CBC News

In an election season with so much change, the City of Richmond seems to offer stability.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie, who has received between 67 and 72 per cent of the vote in his last three election victories, is seeking another term.

Richmond may be B.C.’s fourth largest city, but attention on local politics often focuses on mayoral races — and Brodie is the overwhelming favourite.

“Someone like Rick Hansen could beat Mayor Brodie, but unless you’ve got a very big profile, he’ll be very tough to beat,” said Carol Day, one of Brodie’s more persistent critics on council.

“He’s done a good job on a lot of issues, and there’s things that people don’t agree with, but overall he’s done a very good job of building a network of supporters, and that takes years to put together.” …

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Jason Tarnow courts votes of cannabis retail supporters

Richmond News

While most mayoral and city council candidates in Richmond have so far displayed a rather begrudging attitude toward cannabis legalization, one independent candidate is focusing on the positive impacts it will have on the city.

Criminal lawyer and city council candidate Jason Tarnow is the first to declare he wants to bring cannabis retail stores to Richmond. He says it’s an opportunity for Richmond to seize valuable tax revenue. …

Thus far, brick-and-mortar pot boutiques have gotten a frosty reception from council. Coun. Chak Au chaired a concern group pushing to postpone legalization and Mayor Malcolm Brodie has aired concerns for the municipal enforcement expenses. …

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Richmond to celebrate National Seniors Day next week

Richmond News

Next Monday, Richmond will celebrate National Seniors Day in recognition of seniors and as the United Nations marks the International Day of Older Persons.

On Oct. 1, the city will run a local “positive aging campaign,” breakfast socials and a video screening.

“The City of Richmond is committed to being an age-friendly city,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a press release.

“Through our Seniors Services Plan we deliver vital support to our rapidly growing 55+ year old population. It also encourages Richmond residents of all ages to recognize the important contributions of seniors within our community. …

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Malcolm Brodie and Heather Schoemaker: Moving to a zero-waste circular economy will put cash back into people’s pockets

Vancouver Sun

Next time you see a loaded garbage truck headed for the landfill, imagine that it’s packed full of your hard-earned cash. In effect, it is. Every year, local governments in Canada spend approximately $3.2 billion managing 34 million tonnes of waste. You pay for it in municipal taxes that could be used for better purposes.

It’s a global problem, but Canada leads the pack among developed nations in creating waste. According to the Conference Board of Canada, we produce more garbage per capita than 16 other OECD nations. It’s time to do something about it.

The solution is not better waste management, it’s waste prevention. We need to design waste out of our economy, but that’s not going to happen if we remain focused on our current linear economic system of “take, make, dispose.” We must start seeing “waste” as a resource with value that can be reused as part of what is known as a circular economy. …

Malcolm Brodie is chairman of the National Zero Waste Council; Heather Schoemaker is director of the council’s secretariat. More information can be found at the Circular Economy Leadership Coalition website.

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New Seasong child care centre opens in Steveston

Richmond News

A new child care centre opened in Steveston on Friday, adding 37 child care spaces to the neighbourhood.

Seasong Child Care Centre held its official opening by allowing neighbourhood parents and kids to tour the facility.

It was built as part of the Kingsley Estates on No 2 Road, and upon completion the developer turned it over to the city as a community amenity. It’s operated by the YMCA of Greater Vancouver.

Council voted to name it Seasong back in January because of the nearby Fraser River and historic Steveston fishing village. …

The creation of this new child care facility shows the City’s long-term commitment to building a system of accessible, affordable and quality child care for families in Richmond,” Mayor Malcolm Brodie said in the release. …

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Fred Lee’s Social Network: Treana Peake’s White Envelope Gala

The Province

As a very young child, Obakki Foundation founder Treana Peake was the recipient of a beautiful act of kindness. Peake and her mother annually received a white envelope of money that was anonymously slipped under their front door. There was never a return address or a note of explanation.

“Without the envelope of funds, there would have been no birthdays, no Christmas, and no food on the table,” she explained. …

Peake has been a powerful voice for the voiceless. To support her ongoing efforts, the humanitarian hosted her inaugural White Envelope Gala, enlisting Nickelback (her husband Ryan is the guitarist), Dan Mangan, Scott Helman, Barney Bentall and Dallas Green of City and Colour to headline her outdoor soirée. …

Luminaries making the scene included Richmond mayor Malcolm Brodie, YVR Airport Authority’s Reg Krake, 3BP Solutions CEO Ian Matheson, Richmond RCMP Superintendent Will Ng, Air Transat’s Rod Ramage, Alaska Airlines Donna Sawyer and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice’s Debbie Butt, the program keynote. Since its inception, the community affair has generated more than $4 million for children’s charities.

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In age of pot shops, a new kind of ‘dry’ community looms

The Globe and Mail

Anyone wanting a drink in Cardston has to leave Canada’s first Mormon settlement and drive 45 minutes north to Lethbridge or 20 minutes south to the duty-free shop on the other side of Alberta’s border with Montana. …

In B.C., everyone who wants to open a store selling cannabis must get approval from their local government before securing a coveted licence from the province. No green light from city hall will mean no licence from the province.

Malcolm Brodie, who has been the mayor of Richmond, B.C., for the past 17 years, says his council has no plans to allow shops once the drug is legalized because of fierce opposition from his community.

“Part of it is a reaction to what has happened in Vancouver, where they have decided with the medicinal marijuana dispensaries they weren’t going to enforce the rules against them and would just allow them to proliferate,” said Mr. Brodie. He noted there’s nothing stopping residents of his city from making a short drive north to buy cannabis in person. …

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Ground broken on River Parkway

Richmond News

On Wednesday, a ground breaking ceremony launched the construction of River Parkway, a new transportation link that will aim to ease traffic flow in Richmond’s City Centre.

The $13.2 million project will extend River Parkway from Gilbert Road, along the old railway to Cambie near No. 3 roads. Completion of the project is expected by early 2020.

“The opening of River Parkway will provide a huge improvement to traffic flow throughout north Richmond,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

“It will provide a great new option for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians travelling to and through the City Centre. It will also facilitate eventual development of the new Lulu Island Park, a major new 37-acre waterfront park along the Middle Arm that will serve residents, workers and tourists within the City Centre.” …

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Richmond’s civic election nomination period kicks off

Richmond News

Anyone vying for a seat on Richmond’s city council or school board can officially begin filing their nomination papers today.

There are less than 50 days until the general election day and, on Oct. 20, voters will elect a mayor, eight city councillors and seven school trustees. …

Mayor Malcolm Brodie is seeking re-election and currently serves as an independent. Hong Guo, a Richmond real estate lawyer, will also run for mayor. …

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