Author: Brad Cavanagh

Dee Beattie answered my questions!

Dee Beattie is running for New Westminster School Board, and she answered my questions!

With NWSS finally built and opened, what school do you see the province neglecting to tear down and replace for the next fifty years?

There are no more funds to ever replace schools, that ship has long sailed.

Council will soon be introducing coyotes to New West parks in what many are calling a misguided effort to boost tourism. Okay, it was all my idea, they’re not actually doing that. But if they do, what do you feel is the optimal coyote-student ratio for our school grounds?

We will get the Surrey School District to send buses to take all the Coyotes to Coyote Creek Elementary.

With a 50% success rate on names for new schools built in the past few years (hits: Qayqayt, Skwo:wech; misses: Fraser River, New Westminster), what will you do to improve this rate?

This is DPAC & PAC work, I would not want to step on their toes. 

One thing my daughter learned at a New Westminster school is that New West is one of the most haunted cities in Canada. I’ve asked this question before but that was an election and a half ago so I’m asking it again: who would be three people to join you as Ghostbusters?

For sure you Brad, as I hear you are good at archery. But really, why do we need to get rid of them?  We need acceptance and inclusion of everyone.

(Editor’s note: I’m not the archer in the family, my wife is!)

We all know that school space is at a premium, and buying new land for schools is expensive. Will you support the hostile takeover of City Hall to turn it into a new school? 

Thanks for the idea, and out of the box thinking, we could turn the parking lot of City Hall into a 3 story school and that would help the city in creating a no car policy for staff. It’s a win-win for both council and school board.

Thank you Dee!

And don’t forget to go out and vote!

Questions for New West School Trustee Candidates, 2022 Edition

I came up with a list of questions to ask New Westminster council and mayoral candidates for the 2022 municipal election, and Danielle Connelly asked:

And because this was a school assignment, I pushed it off and pushed it off and now here they are at the last possible minute!

  1. With NWSS finally built and opened, what school do you see the province neglecting to tear down and replace for the next fifty years?
  2. Council will soon be introducing coyotes to New West parks in what many are calling a misguided effort to boost tourism. Okay, it was all my idea, they’re not actually doing that. But if they do, what do you feel is the optimal coyote-student ratio for our school grounds?
  3. With a 50% success rate on names for new schools built in the past few years (hits: Qayqayt, Skwo:wech; misses: Fraser River, New Westminster), what will you do to improve this rate?
  4. One thing my daughter learned at a New Westminster school is that New West is one of the most haunted cities in Canada. I’ve asked this question before but that was an election and a half ago so I’m asking it again: who would be three people to join you as Ghostbusters?
  5. We all know that school space is at a premium, and buying new land for schools is expensive. Will you support the hostile takeover of City Hall to turn it into a new school? 

Stay tuned for the answers!

Patrick Johnstone answered my questions!

Patrick Johnstone is running for Mayor of New Westminster, and he answered my questions! He started with this preamble, which was nice to set the context:

Dear constituent. Thank you for your thoughtful questions, I have endeavoured to answer them in the spirit with which they were intended. 

Given the amount of press Vancouver’s Stanley Park received when it had a bunch of coyotes roaming around it, do you support introducing more coyotes into New Westminster’s parks, potentially entering a Tourism / Parks partnership for tourist-coyote meet-and-greet programs?

Hear me out: the Queens Park Arena has essentially the same capacity as the arena the Phoenix Coyotes are playing in this year…

Improving connections between Queensborough and mainland New Westminster is important. Will you commit to exploring new options such as draining the Fraser, installing catapults (free branding advice: name them “Qatapults”, you’re welcome), or advocating for a gondola like stupid Burnaby is getting?

One word: Tunnels.

Speaking of stupid Burnaby, one of the darkest chapters in New Westminster’s history was when south Burnaby claimed independence and separated from New Westminster. As a result, New West lost nearly half of its land area and tax base. To what lengths are you willing to go to in order to take our land back and bring New Westminster back to its former glory?

You think adding more Burnaby results in a net increase in glory?

What is your favourite bubble tea shop and flavour?

Do they make one with Geritol in it? Because that’s probably the one I need.

Do you support hosting a local version of Burning Man in New West, culminating in the burning of a derelict building?

I may have dabbled in Burning Man fandom in the past, but my opinions on deserts, exhibitionism and fire have evolved over time, and I have been very public about this. Please see my Blog at patrickjohnstone.ca 

What is your favourite neighbourhood and why is it (still) Brow of the Hill?

We got rocks.

With New Westminster’s hills, and winters having longer cold spells, what is your position on improving transportation options between Downtown and Uptown by installing rope towlines on 6th, 8th, and 10th Streets between Carnarvon and 4th Ave during the winter months?

Two words: Tunnels & Elevator.

When will you bring metal to the Anvil Centre theatre?

With Number of the Beast now 40 years old, and Double Nickels on the Dime almost the same age, I am already planning the Century House Metal & Punk Club. I thought Anvil at the Anvil would be a good launch event, but Lips isn’t returning my emails.  

Thank you Patrick!

And don’t forget to go out and vote!

Ruby Campbell answered my questions!

Ruby Campbell is running for New West City Council, and she answered my questions!

Given the amount of press Vancouver’s Stanley Park received when it had a bunch of coyotes roaming around it, do you support introducing more coyotes into New Westminster’s parks, potentially entering a Tourism / Parks partnership for tourist-coyote meet-and-greet programs?

New Westminster Parks and Recreation used to have a “Hug a Bunny” program, which allowed kids to take a bunny home overnight and experience the joy of caring for a pet. I suggest we bring that program back and go bigger- “Hug a Coyote”! If elected, watch for registration information. 

Improving connections between Queensborough and mainland New Westminster is important. Will you commit to exploring new options such as draining the Fraser, installing catapults (free branding advice: name them “Qatapults”, you’re welcome), or advocating for a gondola like stupid Burnaby is getting?

I do not support the Qatapults because residents deserve a fixed connection — we need a zipline! 

Speaking of stupid Burnaby, one of the darkest chapters in New Westminster’s history was when south Burnaby claimed independence and separated from New Westminster. As a result, New West lost nearly half of its land area and tax base. To what lengths are you willing to go to in order to take our land back and bring New Westminster back to its former glory?

If you mean land back to Indigenous Peoples, then I am 100% in!

What is your favourite bubble tea shop and flavour?

I don’t drink bubble tea but I do have a favourite bubble tea shop and it has to be Coco-the name of our sweet puppy! If  you want to ask me about my favourite coffee, be prepared for at least one full hour where I share my favourite shops for different times of day, different occasions and depending upon who joins me. 

Do you support hosting a local version of Burning Man in New West, culminating in the burning of a derelict building?

I understand the Vision of Burning Man Project is to “bring experiences to people in grand, awe-inspiring and joyful ways that lift the human spirit, address social problems, and inspire a sense of culture, community, and civic engagement.” I can support this 100% but, ugh, no more fires please! 

What is your favourite neighbourhood and why is it (still) Brow of the Hill?

Everyone knows it’s Sapperton, with a special shout out to Alberta Street neighbours. We even know how to fight off cougars! #SappertonStrong

With New Westminster’s hills, and winters having longer cold spells, what is your position on improving transportation options between Downtown and Uptown by installing rope towlines on 6th, 8th, and 10th Streets between Carnarvon and 4th Ave during the winter months?

Only if the Downtown BIA will organize Summer Slip and Slide Saturdays so we can fully maximize the use.

When will you bring metal to the Anvil Centre theatre?

This is the only reason my family is supporting my run for city council. If anyone knows how we can book Slayer, please contact me immediately. 

Thank you Ruby!

And don’t forget to go out and vote!

Questions for New Westminster Mayoral and Council Candidates, 2022 Edition

There’s a municipal election coming up in New Westminster, and you know what that means! That’s right, stupid questions! This time around I was having a tough time thinking up good stupid questions, so I did what anybody would do when they’re looking for stupidity: I reached out to Reddit, specifically the /r/NewWest subreddit. And let me tell you, they didn’t disappoint with the stupid questions! Let’s go!

  1. Given the amount of press Vancouver’s Stanley Park received when it had a bunch of coyotes roaming around it, do you support introducing more coyotes into New Westminster’s parks, potentially entering a Tourism / Parks partnership for tourist-coyote meet-and-greet programs?
  2. Improving connections between Queensborough and mainland New Westminster is important. Will you commit to exploring new options such as draining the Fraser, installing catapults (free branding advice: name them “Qatapults”, you’re welcome), or advocating for a gondola like stupid Burnaby is getting?
  3. Speaking of stupid Burnaby, one of the darkest chapters in New Westminster’s history was when south Burnaby claimed independence and separated from New Westminster. As a result, New West lost nearly half of its land area and tax base. To what lengths are you willing to go to in order to take our land back and bring New Westminster back to its former glory?
  4. What is your favourite bubble tea shop and flavour?
  5. Do you support hosting a local version of Burning Man in New West, culminating in the burning of a derelict building?
  6. What is your favourite neighbourhood and why is it (still) Brow of the Hill?
  7. With New Westminster’s hills, and winters having longer cold spells, what is your position on improving transportation options between Downtown and Uptown by installing rope towlines on 6th, 8th, and 10th Streets between Carnarvon and 4th Ave during the winter months?
  8. When will you bring metal to the Anvil Centre theatre?

Stay tuned for the answers!