The Talk Of The Town
/Nigel Elliott.
LIBERALS & GREENS CHOOSE WEST END CANDIDATES: The BC Liberal Party has announced that former researcher and ministerial aide at the BC Legislature Nigel Elliott (photo below) will be their Vancouver-West End riding candidate in this year’s May 9 provincial election.
Born and raised in Surrey, BC, 28-year-old Nigel also lived in Victoria before settling in Vancouver's West End four years ago. He studied political science at SFU and graphic design at BCIT.
In Victoria he worked as executive assistant to then Education Minister Don McRae. He has also worked as a communications consultant with the provincially owned Partnerships BC, developing connections between small businesses and major infrastructure projects.
NIgel is a visual artist, does volunteer work in the LGBTQ community, and serves on the board of Dan’s Legacy, a charitable organization that works with at-risk youth.
“As the BC Liberals’ youngest nominated candidate, I am pleased to be running for a party that’s focused on job creation and B.C.’s future,” Elliott stated in the announcement.
James marshall.
The Greens have nominated James Marshall to represent that party in the election. James works as an animator and technical artist in Vancouver's video game and film industry.
He's also an avid musician, regularly performing in many of the city's live music venues, recording several self-financed albums, and is an alumnus of the multi-time world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
The current MLA for Vancouver-West End is NDP member Spencer Chandra Herbert, who was first elected in a 2008 by-election and reelected in 2009 and 2013.
Artist's vision of nelson park after redevelopment.
An underground view of the proposed nelson park substation.
UNDERGROUND HYDRO SUBSTATION PROPOSED ... West Enders will have an opportunity to learn more about BC Hydro's recently announced plans to locate a new substation underground below the present site of Lord Robert School Annex on Nelson Street at a series of small group roundtable discussions and a public open house on February 18.
According to the January 20 announcement from BC Hydro, the crown corporation will be introducing a strategic plan called "seed" to upgrade the city's downtown electricity infrastructure while funding new community amenities such as schools, daycare spaces, and park upgrades. Such amenities in the West End would include a new school in Coal Harbour by 2020 and an additional school, daycare spaces, and green space in the West End by 2025.
The public is invited to review the plans and proposal and take part in an online survey at the "seed" website here. The small group roundtable discussions in the West End will take place the evenings of Tuesday, January 31 and Wednesday, February 15 and you can request a seat by emailing seed@bchydro.com.
The public Open House will take place Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church (1130 Jervis).
Joy Coghill CM,, celebrated Canadian actor, director, and writer, co-founded the Performing Arts Lodge in Coal Harbour.
PAL CO-FOUNDER DIES AT 90 ... Performing Arts Lodge co-founder and long-time West End resident Joy Coghill, CM, has died at the age of 90.
Often referred to as "the First Lady of the Canadian stage", Joy was a celebrated Canadian actress, director, and writer.
Her best-known work is Song of This Place, a play about BC artist Emily Carr. In addition to her writing, Coghill has made guest appearances on Da Vinci's Inquest as Portia Da Vinci.
There will be a Celebration of Life service on Monday, February 20 at 3pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you please consider donating to the Performing Arts Lodge Vancouver. palvancouver.org
