George Massey Tunnel Replacement | Proposed - Page 7

deasine · #**121** Posted **Oct 5, 2012, 4:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornholio

I know that and I have nothing against him...he might be qualified...I just dont see how though. I was thinking he would have some sort of education, any education even if its not really related and some broad experience, and atleast something in the private sector. But all I see is years being on council, that to me shows he can sell him self very well which actually makes me question his qualifications even more. I have seen his name mentioned here and there but when I saw him being touted as a expert I had a quick look at his background and to my surprise didnt see anything that would qualify him as such. I mean I suppose Kevin Falcon is now a expert as well in transportation, and healthcare, might as well call him a doctor, and accounting and finance, and who knows what else... I have no problem with a political career being used to strengthen ones credentials but without some education and real work expereince in the private sector somewhere along the line I think it actually acts a big question mark rather then anything positive.

It actually really bugs me though how a journalist can just throw the expert word around like this, 99% of the people dont have the time to dig a bit deeper.

But like I said I might be way off base...

Well if you actually dig deeper, you find that many of the policies adapted in Metro Vancouver and in the Greenest City 2020 plan are in part by Gordon Price. Whether or not one agrees with his positions is another story, but there is no doubt Gordon Price has influenced and is continuing to influence the city one sees today.

BCPhil · #**122** Posted **Oct 5, 2012, 10:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by deasine

Well if you actually dig deeper, you find that many of the policies adapted in Metro Vancouver and in the Greenest City 2020 plan are in part by Gordon Price. Whether or not one agrees with his positions is another story, but there is no doubt Gordon Price has influenced and is continuing to influence the city one sees today.

Yeah, and the Pope has influence on the family planning choices of millions of people. It doesn't mater that the Pope has no education on the merits and benefits of birth control (both to individual health and to society), but people are still influenced by his opinion.

EastVanMark · #**123** Posted **Oct 6, 2012, 8:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornholio

I know that and I have nothing against him...he might be qualified...I just dont see how though. I was thinking he would have some sort of education, any education even if its not really related and some broad experience, and atleast something in the private sector. But all I see is years being on council, that to me shows he can sell him self very well which actually makes me question his qualifications even more. I have seen his name mentioned here and there but when I saw him being touted as a expert I had a quick look at his background and to my surprise didnt see anything that would qualify him as such. I mean I suppose Kevin Falcon is now a expert as well in transportation, and healthcare, might as well call him a doctor, and accounting and finance, and who knows what else... I have no problem with a political career being used to strengthen ones credentials but without some education and real work expereince in the private sector somewhere along the line I think it actually acts a big question mark rather then anything positive.

It actually really bugs me though how a journalist can just throw the expert word around like this, 99% of the people dont have the time to dig a bit deeper.

But like I said I might be way off base...

Congrats Cornholio. You have just asked a question that seemingly no local media has the balls to ask. Also, you hit the nail on the head regarding the local media's highly dubious "expert" status. They throw around such terms with little regard of their meanings. Gordon Price was an "activist" who was against any large scale development in Vancouver including Pacific Centre, Bentall 3 or the Bayshore Hotel. He then became a Vancouver councilor. (a common landing ground for people who can't find meaningful employment anywhere else). What else he did with his life is largely unknown (I'm guessing by design) It's really unknown if he even has any formal education in the field he is allegedly an "expert" in. To base large chunks of your regions planning according to the sayings of a person with such a questionable background is insane

Stingray2004 · #**124** Posted **Oct 6, 2012, 9:28 PM**

As an aside, here's a photo of the north end of the existing GMT, circa 1960, inclusive of toll booths. Looks like a nice, rural country drive back in the day!:

http://tranbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/...Toll-Booth.jpg

s211 · #**125** Posted **Oct 6, 2012, 11:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Congrats Cornholio. You have just asked a question that seemingly no local media has the balls to ask. Also, you hit the nail on the head regarding the local media's highly dubious "expert" status. They throw around such terms with little regard of their meanings. Gordon Price was an "activist" who was against any large scale development in Vancouver including Pacific Centre, Bentall 3 or the Bayshore Hotel. He then became a Vancouver councilor. (a common landing ground for people who can't find meaningful employment anywhere else). What else he did with his life is largely unknown (I'm guessing by design) It's really unknown if he even has any formal education in the field he is allegedly an "expert" in. To base large chunks of your regions planning according to the sayings of a person with such a questionable background is insane

Agree with you on that one. I remember when he was a counsellor, and he was your typical anti-business dreamer.

paradigm4 · #**126** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 1:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

Agree with you on that one. I remember when he was a counsellor, and he was your typical anti-business dreamer.

Ironic as he was an NPA councillor.

204 · #**127** Posted **Oct 9, 2012, 6:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

Agree with you on that one. I remember when he was a counsellor, and he was your typical anti-business dreamer.

A true 'watermelon', only green on the outside, but red (socialist) to the core.

tybuilding · #**128** Posted **Oct 9, 2012, 7:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

As an aside, here's a photo of the north end of the existing GMT, circa 1960, inclusive of toll booths. Looks like a nice, rural country drive back in the day!:

http://tranbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/...Toll-Booth.jpg

By the lack of vehicles in the picture you can see why only a 4 lane tunnel was built at the time.

Zassk · #**129** Posted **Oct 9, 2012, 8:20 PM**

Not surprising. The tunnel didn't replace anything except for a little ferry... there was no existing legacy of traffic going to/from Delta. Before the tunnel, crossing the Fraser meant driving out to New Westminster. The tunnel would eventually create new communities in Delta.

tybuilding · #**130** Posted **Nov 9, 2012, 8:38 PM**

History of the Massey Tunnel by Global TV morning news

Global TV Video

It is too bad the original plan wasn't built with 6 lanes and a walkway/cycle path

EastVanMark · #**131** Posted **Nov 9, 2012, 9:00 PM**

A nice look back to an era when we had ambition and common sense ruled in this area and didn't give in to hippie dippy special interest groups. This tunnel would not even be considered in today's era of cut off my nose to spite my face stupidity.

moosejaw · #**132** Posted **Nov 9, 2012, 10:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

A nice look back to an era when we had ambition and common sense ruled in this area and didn't give in to hippie dippy special interest groups.

Yeah whatever happened to that?

tybuilding · #**133** Posted **Nov 9, 2012, 10:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

A nice look back to an era when we had ambition and common sense ruled in this area and didn't give in to hippie dippy special interest groups. This tunnel would not even be considered in today's era of cut off my nose to spite my face stupidity.

How do you mean, why wouldn't it be built today? What about the SFPR what about Gateway? Did special interest groups stop those projects? NO.

officedweller · #**134** Posted **Nov 9, 2012, 10:51 PM**

Depends who's building it I guess. Maybe the Province is a bit more steadfast.
The Brunette / United Blvd connector was cancelled by TransLink because of public opposition.
Although the Province did give up on a widening of the Lions Gate Bridge.

Zassk · #**135** Posted **Nov 9, 2012, 11:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

A nice look back to an era when we had ambition and common sense ruled in this area and didn't give in to hippie dippy special interest groups.

That's one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is that we spent three decades paying off the debts from that era.

The decision to build big infrastructure was sound. The decision to eliminate tolls made it unaffordable.

trofirhen · #**136** Posted **Nov 10, 2012, 1:01 AM**

http://www.apnaroots.com/News_pics/Port-Mann-Bridge.gif

If it isn't another tunnel, maybe something the scale of the Cassiar, given that the tunnel option woud probaly cost more given that it is deeper and longer, it'll be something a bit like this, only on a smaller scale, of course.
Or maybe something like the Alex Fraser.

(it'll be a cable-stayed bridge I'll bet, is all I'm saying)

Vancity · #**137** Posted **Nov 10, 2012, 5:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tybuilding

History of the Massey Tunnel by Global TV morning news

Global TV Video

It is too bad the original plan wasn't built with 6 lanes and a walkway/cycle path

oh, the short-sightedness of our leaders.

i wish this would change one day....

hasn't thus far...

EastVanMark · #**138** Posted **Nov 11, 2012, 6:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tybuilding

How do you mean, why wouldn't it be built today? What about the SFPR what about Gateway? Did special interest groups stop those projects? NO.

Actually part of the proposed NFPR (a part of Gateway) was cancelled at least partially due to nimbys. Also, there are some (including at least a couple of people on New West council) who seem to think that once the Patullo is done NOTHING should be built in its place. Don't even get me started with the fools running Vancouver...

EastVanMark · #**139** Posted **Nov 11, 2012, 6:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zassk

That's one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is that we spent three decades paying off the debts from that era.

The decision to build big infrastructure was sound. The decision to eliminate tolls made it unaffordable.

That's pretty much exactly what I was saying. Back then, we made decisions on infrastructure based on logic and need (gasp), and had a roaring local economy, that has since been replaced by the current one based on ideological pie-in-the-sky BS.

BTW the tolls were retired once the vast majority of projects were paid off in full. WAC Bennett didn't believe in using tolls as a revenue source so they were removed.

whatnext · #**140** Posted **Nov 11, 2012, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zassk

That's one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is that we spent three decades paying off the debts from that era.

The decision to build big infrastructure was sound. The decision to eliminate tolls made it unaffordable.

Or Gordo's decision to whack 25% off income tax rates did.

Anyway, once the NDP wins this project is dead. The area served by the 99 and the tunnel isn't their turf.