SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY

 

Summertime—and the Living Is Easy in Nanaimo by the Sea

By Voice of Nanaimo

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OK, Let’s Try This Again.

I had every intention of stepping back from the drama at City Hall. But that plan was rudely interrupted—thanks to the latest reminder of just how badly many residents are suffering, while City Hall continues putting the needs of addicts, unstable individuals, and chronic offenders ahead of theirs.

What really reignited things? The infamous $412,000 fence City staff wanted to install around their own parking lot. Instead of addressing the root of the problem, they just keep enabling it—at your expense.

Commercial Street is (finally) sort of finished—nearly a year after it began—and only about $2.5 million over the original price tag. So, surely no more surprises from this council until the fall… right?

Meanwhile, the Mayor continues to run “his” house with an iron fist—ready to slap on the cuffs if anyone dares to speak out at a public meeting in a public place.

And Council? They'll keep smiling and nodding, pretending to care about the chaos downtown. Expect more meetings. More head-scratching. More hand-wringing. And no real change.

So unless something wildly unexpected happens, I plan to enjoy what’s shaping up to be a great summer.

Remember—it’s YOUR Voice. YOUR City. YOUR Future. Don’t let the antics of local clowncillors ruin your summer peace.

Come September, I’ll be promoting what I believe is a real solution to the downtown disorder. Until then, I know I’m just whistling in the wind—most folks would rather soak up the sun than the headlines. And I don’t blame them.

Let’s take a breath, Nanaimo.

Not a deep sigh of frustration at City Hall’s latest production in the theatre of the absurd, but a real breath. One filled with salt air, ripening blackberries, and the scent of sunscreen and barbecues.

It’s summer, and Nanaimo is doing what it does best—offering a gentle pause.

We are blessed here. While much of the country bakes in relentless heat, we enjoy the sea’s steady breath keeping us cool. The breeze off Departure Bay, the shimmer of Gabriola in the distance, and the ever-changing blues of the Strait with frequent visits from Orcas and Humpbacks are a luxury no council budget line can touch.

The farmers' markets are overflowing—real food grown close to home. Cherries, blueberries, new potatoes, crisp greens, and maybe even the first ears of corn. The days stretch long, inviting walks, swims, picnics, paddle boarding, kayaking, fresh and saltwater fishing or simply doing nothing at all.

So for just a little while, let’s set down the spreadsheets, the agendas, and the FOI files. The business of holding the powerful to account can wait a moment.

Because for now—it’s summertime, and the living *really is* easy in Nanaimo by the sea.