tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post8186297845876801001..comments2024-03-27T22:35:59.040-07:00Comments on Michael Geller's Blog: 184 days to go...and counting!michael gellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08988502321448301128noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-27272323621695637952009-08-12T14:11:27.590-07:002009-08-12T14:11:27.590-07:00- Let's show the world how sustainable we are ...- Let's show the world how sustainable we are by not doing many of the Gateway road upgrades and let's get started on more light-rail or skytrain lines such as the Evergreen line. Let's truly set an example of us as a classy city.<br /><br />- Let's do things the Canadian way and allow protests and handing out of information anywhere. Everywhere should be a free speech zone. We are one of the most free countries in the world, so let's show the world that we are not afraid of criticism and that we can have unregulated free speech and still host a successful Olympics.<br /><br />- Let's put in stronger legislation that prevents the eviction of tenants for the Olympics.<br /><br />- Let's use some of the event revenues to pay for improvements in other parts of the province such as the Interior or Northern B.C. . They had to pay similar taxes to Vancouverites for the Olympics, but Vancouverites have more venues and directly created jobs to show for it. Let's create a legacy in other parts of the province as well.<br /><br />I believe that the games can be awesome, but we must change the way that we are doing them right now. The people of this province and their needs to be put first. The Olympics must be designed to fit in with our needs and not the other way around.Tristan Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-13258572829537970362009-08-12T14:11:00.951-07:002009-08-12T14:11:00.951-07:00I think that Expo 86 benefitted our city greatly. ...I think that Expo 86 benefitted our city greatly. Before Expo 86, Vancouver was not really a well-known city, but the immigration and other statistics definitely show that Expo 86 benefitted Vancouver.<br /><br />I love playing sports myself (basketball, tennis, swimming etc..) and appreciate athletic competition. However, I think that the main issue with the Olympics is that the Olympics and their priorities appear to be trumping other concerns. To give a few examples, a great deal of money is being spent on venues and on celebrations, but there are many concerns in our backyard that aren't being addressed. To wit, a few of the following concerns:<br />- Health care shortages and waits (and even more coming due to health care cuts). <br />- The absolutely shameful conditions endured by our First Nations people. We always mention our relationship with the First Nations people in the games, but how many natives are benefitting from the games? The Downtown Eastside and its very disproportionate population of natives is evidence of the challenges that our First peoples face. .<br />- Homelessness and housing affordability. Not just the poor have housing challengs in Greater Vancouver: Even middle class families have a tough time affording housing here.<br /><br />The problems that I see are that both Olympic proponents and Olympic opponents have blinders on to some degree. Some Olympic proponents expect everything to revolve around the Olympics and neglect the other very real concerns of the province. Some Olympic opponents criticize and oppose the game without recognizing that the games are here to stay and that they should be proposing solutions about how we can have a cost-effective games while still working on the problems that they suggest. <br /><br />Here's how to make the Olympics great without screwing over other programs:<br />- Cut the Olympic budget and have slightly more toned down Olympic ceremonies. People will be impressed enough when they look on their tv and see how beautiful Vancouver is. That is far more impressive than any firework display and besides, we don't need to top Beijing's display. <br /><br />- Cut the Olympic budget for venue extra features. As long as the venues can accommodate the sports and some spectators, they do not need to be perfect. People don't remember the features of the pool where Ian Thorpe 'owned the competition' in the 2008 Olympics or the track where Usain Bolt burned it up. The athletes create the memories, not the ceremonies or venues so much.<br /><br />- Use the money saved by these cuts to ensure that no health care is cut, create entrepreneurship and community building programs in the Downtown Eastside, community outreach programs for natives, affordable housing for the homeless, and incentives to create rental housing. It doesn't matter if the ceremony looks great if the delegates go outside and see the squalor in the downtown eastside (or many parts of Surrey or Vancouver, for that matter). If they can see positive change in the Downtown Eastside, such as community programs such as a community garden (which is inexpensive to set up), I think that will make a better impression of Vancouver and the games than any fireworks or opening ceremonies. The world will say, Vancouver has problems like everywhere, but they are trying innovative ways to solve their problems - I like this city!Tristan Johnsonnoreply@blogger.com