***Mar 2006 Focus pg 1-32 - Focus Magazine

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Resuscitate the legislature’s committeesParliamentary committees have been so underutilized in recentyears, many British Columbians probably don't even remember whatthey are. The BC government’s website explains that committeesare made up of small, representative groups of MLAs who cantravel around the province soliciting input and holding hearings onissues, which they can then summarize into reports and recommendationsto the whole legislature.Carole James: There are currently standingcommittees of the legislature in a range of topicareas, such as education, First Nations, andhealth. These committees have members fromboth government and opposition…They rarelymeet. I believe these committees could be betterused, taking topic areas out to the public forreal public engagement.Rob Fleming: As the NDP’s environmentcritic, I’m always pointing out that the Legislature’s Standing Committeeon the Environment hasn’t met since 1996! At a time when BC needsa well-informed public to understand the climate change and energychallenges and policy choices we face, this just makes no sense. We needa robust committee system that addresses the big issues out there. Andthis will give MLAs more opportunities to work across party lines whileproviding a key avenue for the public to influence government.Andrew Weaver: The Legislative Committee structure needs to bereinvigorated. The last time the Standing Committee on Education metwas in <strong>2006</strong> when they developed a report outlining a strategy for adultliteracy…As far as I can tell, the Select Standing Committee on AboriginalAffairs has not met since 2001. Policy needs to be debated openlyand needs to be informed through input from diverse stakeholders,such as those who would present to standing committees.Empower independent officesJessica Van der Veen: The Liberal government has weakened ourenvironmental assessment process…and undermined key governmentwatchdogs such as the Auditor Generaland the BC Utilities Commission. Two specificnegative outcomes are: the giveaway of forestlands at Jordan River, despite the findings ofthe Auditor General; and the privatizing ofrivers and streams for private power projects,despite the finding of the BC UtilitiesCommission that these projects are “not inthe public interest.” We need to strengthenenvironmental assessments and fully includethe public…[and we] need to give government watchdogs the powerthey need to do their jobs.Reform campaign financingRob Fleming: The BC Liberals get more than 75 percent of their fundsfrom corporate donations and a very small percent from actual peoplewho can vote…I’m all for getting big money out of politics by putting inplace limits on donations from corporations and unions like we see federallyand in Manitoba. This will put the average voter at the centre ofpolitics again. Campaign finance reform would reduce cynicism aboutpoliticians being in someone’s pocket and increase voter participation.Jane Sterk: [The Green Party would] eliminate corporate and uniondonations to restrict donations to British Columbian [citizens], andlimit the size of donations. We would also lower the amount of moneythat could be spent on campaigns.Branko Mustafovic: How can we expect that a politician will be unbiased,when they literally owe those who made substantial contributionsto their campaign to have their needs heard loudand clear? There’s only one way to be 100 percentsure no elected politicians will ever dangle fromthe strings pulled by special-interest groups whohelped put them there. The ultimate solution isfor government to provide an identical amountto each eligible candidate to spend on theircampaign, with that amount being the maximumthey may spend. That’s truly democratic.Engage disenfranchised and cynical votersAccording to Elections BC, about 75 percent of eligible BC votersare registered, while in 21 districts that number falls to fewer than halfof eligible voters.Jane Sterk: The fixed election date is in the spring, which disenfranchisesstudents…We no longer enumerate house to house. “Registered”voters are now identified by driver’s licence and filed tax returns. Thisdisenfranchises people who don’t drive and those who don’t pay taxes.Rob Fleming: Reversing the decline in voter participation won’tbe accomplished overnight. But we have to make voting opportunitieseasier so that low-participation groups, like young people, get on thevoters list…I like Adrian Dix’s idea to begin voter registration earlier,at age 16, in order to be enumerated by their 18th birthday…We alsohave to change the tone of how politics is conducted. BC has a reputationfor “politics as a blood sport” and this is reflected in statementsby politicians and the media. It seems to me that this may be the biggestcontributor to disenfranchising voters and turning them off what governmentand public service in elected office ought to be about.Carole James: We have seen the government using public money forpartisan advertising, creating cynicism in politics and the politicalsystem, which leads to lower voter turnout and involvement…TheNDP has introduced legislation that would result in the Auditor Generalreviewing all government advertising to build back trust in the processof the use of public dollars.Implement electoral reformJane Sterk: Should I be elected premier…[I would] instruct ElectionsBC to prepare a plan to implement a system of proportional representationfor the 2017 election. To avoid debate about which system toadopt, I would mandate use of the Single Transferable Vote (STV),which was recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reformand accepted in 2005 by 58 percent of BC voters. To prepare for useof this system, I would include a requirement that Elections BC finda structure for STV that would address the concerns from the large andrural ridings. I would also require that Elections BC conduct a processof [educating the public about STV].Rob Wipond thanks all the candidates for participatingin our democracy by running for election.18 April 2013 • FOCUS
How to gain an extra hour a day —by Janet YoungADVERTISEMENTIMAGINE IF YOU COULD HAVE an extrahour a day to do whatever you wanted:Get some needed exercise, read, spendtime with loved ones, learn somethingnew or just have a relaxing evening meal.Sounds good doesn’t it? Well thathour can be yours if you get yourself organized.It’s been documented that mostpeople spend an hour a day just lookingfor things. Cleaning professionals indicatethat clearing out the excess clutterwould easily eliminate 40 percent or moreof the housework in the average home.Being organized also saves money and is more ecologically responsiblebecause you don’t misplace things only to buy them over again.You have heard: “A place for everything, and everything in itsplace.” This often means de-cluttering. Clutter robs us of peace, tranquility,time, and enjoyment, and causes stress. Get rid of clutter andkeeping your home organized becomes a lot easier. You’ll be able tofind what you need when you need it, rather than wasting preciousminutes searching—and feeling stressed.Here’s a simple formula for how to declutter your home: Organizingyour home cannot be done all at once. It is actually a set of smallprojects—chop the big job down into projects that you can organizein 30 minutes—a counter top, one dresser, one closet. Workon projects in one room till that room is completed before movingon to the next room.First things to get rid of:• Clothes that don’t fit or are uncomfortable.• Objects you don’t like even if they were gifts.• Outdated papers (newspapers, magazines, calendars,coupons, invitations)• Expired items (food, cleaners, cosmetics, etc.)• Broken, worn, or tired items. (Face it, you are notgoing to get them fixed.)• Multiples—items you have more than one of. How manydo you need?• Items you haven’t used in the last year—you are not likelyto use this year either.Always keep in mind this “get rid of” list, and whenever de-clutteringan area, pick up one item at a time and make a decision about it,before putting it down. There are actually just six choices you canmake for any object. Follow the “one touch rule” once you makethe decision—and stick with it: (1) Keep it; (2) Put it away in anotherroom; (3) Donate it or give away (put inbox marked donate); (4) Sell (put in boxmarked sell); (5) Put in garbage—unlesstoxic; see the CRD website for wastedisposal; (6) Put in the recycle bin.Clean the area and, if needed, theitems to be kept, and put them away.Once you have finished declutteringthe area, assess whether an organizingtool or accessory might help with storageand access. If you need an organizingproduct (see the top ten), take measurementsof the available space—height,width, depth and anything that may be in your way such aspipes. Finally, besides taking out the trash and recycling, rememberto deal with your “sell” and “donate” items within a short deadline,or they will continue to clutter up your space.Now breathe deeply and enjoy your clutter-free home. And startdreaming about how to spend those extra hours.Top 10 Organizing Tools:1. Closet organizer2. Pull-out shelves (kitchen and bath).3. Drawer dividers and organizers4. Baskets and containers5. Cosmetic organizers6. Jewelry organizers7. Shoe and boot organizers8. Specialty hangers (scarf, tie, belt, pant)9. Garment rack10. Fridge and freezer organizersJANET YOUNG is a Trained Professional Organizerand owner of All Organized Storage Ltd. Inbusiness since 1997, Janet is the “closet andorganizing authority in Victoria.” Her primaryservice is custom closets, and All OrganizedStorage carries the largest selection of closetmaterials available in Western Canada, alongwith a full range of organizing accessories.Janet also provides small office and home organizing for clients notup to the organizing challenge themselves; and teaches and empowersclients with the basic skills necessary to de-clutter.You can see closets on display along with many unique and innovativeorganizing accessories at her store on Tennyson.All Organized StorageHours Mon–Fri 11–5, Sat 11–33370 Tennyson Avenue (near UpTown) • 250-590-6<strong>32</strong>8 • www.AllOrganizedStorage.cawww.focusonline.ca • April 201319
Page 1: FOCUSVictoria’s monthly magazine
Page 4: Leading edge dentistryDown to Earth
Page 8 and 9: at a glanceTrend to “oral governm
Page 10 and 11: talkof thetownGerry Bliss & Brad De
Page 12 and 13: City costs have been identified tha
Page 14: Officially ridiculousGERRY BLISS AN
Page 21 and 22: Focus presents: Canadian Diabetes A
Page 23 and 24: Focus presents: Triangle HealingADV
Page 25 and 26: FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, indigenous
Page 27 and 28: April 13VISA OPEN HOUSE andTALES FR
Page 29 and 30: “Cobble Cottage” Deryk Houston,
Page 31 and 32: Focus presents: Kate Cino and Art O
Page 33 and 34: “Battle Scars” Morley Myers, 14
Page 35 and 36: eadings & presentationsApril 15PEN-
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Page 39 and 40: seemingly unencumbered by narrative
Page 41 and 42: in their backyard that is state-led
Page 43 and 44: Focus presents: Victoria HospiceADV
Page 45 and 46: and energies. Finally: the City doe
Page 47 and 48: MYTH: these guys cause wartsFACT: y

***Mar 2006 Focus pg 1-32 - Focus Magazine

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