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Category: Politics!

Priorities: Accountability and Acknowledgement

Priorities: Accountability and Acknowledgement

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People are asking me what perspective and priorities I would bring to an elected position. Here are some thoughts. The relationship between the city and small business needs a revision. There should be stronger accountability structures – both carrots and sticks. People should be rewarded for engagement with their community, for getting involved and contributing. But there should also be enforceable penalties for anti-social and anti-community actions and choices. We should take a hard look at anti-vacancy legislation and consider…

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Be a joiner!

Be a joiner!

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Many of you have asked how you can support me in this endeavour, and here’s the first ask, along with a little bit of information on how our municipal electoral system works. I woke up thinking about this at 5 am today. These last five hours of wakefulness, I’ve tried to figure out how to ask you for your help. What I need from you, right now, is to join the Vancouver Green Party so that I can have an…

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Next Step

Next Step

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Dear Friends & Fam; I suppose I should tell you all that I’ve been approved to seek Green Party endorsement as a candidate for city council. This is just the next step in the process – there will be an internal party nomination meeting on June 27th to decide the final candidate slate. But I’m one step closer. I have deeper thoughts about this (of course) and further instructions about supporting the nomination process and campaign. That feels like something…

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Vancouver Civic Governance: Nomination Racing

Vancouver Civic Governance: Nomination Racing

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I’m not sure why it is that so much of our population are apathetic about participating in the electoral process. The voter turnout in our 2017 by-election was 11%. 89% of our eligible voters had something better to do on that day. I find that alarming. And I have to wonder why this is the case. Is it because people feel excluded from the process? That our candidates lack a representational diversity that alienates an increasingly multi-cutural population? Is it…

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Will you stand with me?

Will you stand with me?

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I’m throwing my hat in the ring for a candidacy with the Green party in our upcoming civic election. If you don’t know about this aspiration, it means we haven’t connected for a bit, and we should. It hasn’t been a secret. It just means something different to say it publicly. To ask for your support. I’ve been afraid about how this plan could colour the reception of my actions, my words. I want to represent you. I want to carry…

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The Unreal Cost of Doing Business

The Unreal Cost of Doing Business

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Our operational cost on our lease at the studio has gone up by more than $3000 per month (more than 400%) in the less than three years we’ve been here, largely because of property value and tax adjustment. Over the course of our now three operational cost increases, prices for everything have gone up up up, while maintenance has steeply declined. We’re so focused on the housing crisis (which I understand) that the unfairnesses of commercial leasing are passing by…

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Eden & The Opiate Crisis

Eden & The Opiate Crisis

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This may be my most lengthy post ever. But a lot has happened since I had something to really talk about. And this is it. Sometime in early fall, a combination of living and working in the DTES, participating in Sleep Out, the privilege of attending SVI Hollyhock and I’m not sure what other factors brought me to a moment of asking myself “what can I do?” What can I do about the socio-geographical place in which I find myself?…

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“Simple” Splitting

“Simple” Splitting

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A little reminder that just because a candidate is proverbially “left”, it doesn’t mean they represent you and your values/perspective. It’s a wildly simplistic read, and it insults your right to choose your representation. Do not be shamed by this rhetoric. I think we’re incredibly fortunate to have a bevy of socially progressive options in our municipal spectrum. The problem is not that we have too many options. The problem is that 394,147 of us neglected to make a choice. And…

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VOTE

VOTE

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Some random thoughts on voting, because that’s what we do with this social media thing. Today, if you haven’t done so already, go out and vote. Vote because the simple act of taking a half an hour out of your day gains you membership to a club of engaged humans. It gains you social credit in a very special, participatory way. It entitles you to entry to an ongoing conversation. And it takes almost no effort at all. Vote because…

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In support of the Railtown I-4 Historical Industrial Designation

In support of the Railtown I-4 Historical Industrial Designation

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So the I-4 zoning proposal passed with unanimous approval!! Yay! This is my (lengthy in text) speech, in case you are curious. It’s targeted at city council comprehension – I’m working on a more accessible version for newcomers to the topic. Thanks for all the love and support!!! My name is Denise Brennan, I own and operate a business in Railtown. My business represents more than 30 small businesses and entrepreneurs who are directly affected by this decision. Vancouver needs…

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