Author: Daniel Fontaine

Special guest Rich Patterson appears on For the Record to speak about the state of our small businesses in New Westminster. Patterson speaks about how the local Chamber of Commerce was negatively impacted by the pandemic but is now seeing a resurgence of new members. Some of the other topics we explore include how the City’s business license application process could be reformed to raise greater awareness of the Chamber and its activities.

I also provide an opening commentary on a recent vote at New West City Hall which turned down making reforms to the Local Election and Campaign Finance Act. I argue there remain many loopholes that remain in the Act which lawfully permit corporations, unions and non-profits to influence the outcome of the municipal elections without any of their activities being recorded and reported to Elections BC.

In this podcast we also explore the growing ‘capacity crisis’ facing our local school district. Global TV news did a great segment on this topic and it helped to raise awareness of the problem facing our students, parents and teachers.

Of course, what would an episode of For the Record be without playing the ever-popular “Bell or Buzzer” which features four amazing trivia questions about New West. Tune in to see if Rich was able to get all of the answers right!

For the Record is available for download on all major platforms. If you like this episode, be sure to tell your friends and family and get them to follow.

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Small business owner Anita Dunn made headlines recently when she announced she was closing her high-profile Mila and Paige clothing store this spring. In her announcement, Dunn took direct aim at a raft of city-related decisions and initiatives that she believes led to the demise of her retail shop.

Whether it was skyrocketing parking rates or the impact a lengthy sewer replacement project took on her business, Dunn says it all played a role in helping to keep customers away. She’s also concerned with the recent trend to concentrate so many social service providers in the downtown core. She highlights why opening a ‘temporary’ homeless shelter nearby with only limited hours has actually served to increase street disorder along Columbia Street.

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 “The city is sending a message to everyone visiting to get in and get out. So how is this ever going to be a tourist destination? It’s not,” she said in video she posted on her Instagram account. “So I’m angry. I’m really angry at the city.”

In this exclusive interview, Dunn not only explores the problems plaguing small business owners in New West, but she begins to talk about what some of the solutions might be. We ask her to compare Columbia Street to Vancouver’s popular and thriving Commercial Drive in terms of its vibrancy. We explore with Dunn whether there is anything we can learn from their success and apply in New West.

Dunn also responds to some of the vicious online attacks that have been hurled at her since she spoke out and talks about how other small businesses in the area are equally fed up – but frightened to speak out. Joining Dunn on the podcast is fellow Columbia Street small business owner and New West City Councillor Paul Minhas.

We also get to have a bit of fun with our latest edition of Bell or Buzzer!

It’s an important interview that’s bound to stir up debate, but one you will want to listen to and share with friends and family. This podcast is available for download on all major platforms.

 

Join special guest New West Councillor Paul Minhas for a special Feb 26th City Council roundup discussion. We start the podcast off with our popular Bell or Buzzer game including a discussion on what’s been happening to some iconic local small businesses.

Other topics include a 14% property tax hike over two years; using the Heritage Revitalization Agreement process to protect a non-native tree planted in the 1960s; growing controversy regarding recent appointments to city committees; why an amendment to support additional mental health, drug treatment and rehab failed; a crime and safety report gets submitted to council; our infrastructure deficit grows and much, much more!

You’ll want to listen to this latest Council roundup which expands and provides insights into the items raised and debated at New West City Council. You can download this podcast on all major platforms.

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