Victoria vs. Langford: The Next Round

The fight over the Bear Mountain interchange has grown hotter still. There's not one but four stories today relating to the conflict.

Langford is reducing the sum it wants to borrow to backstop the interchange from $25 million to $9 million because the Municipal Finance Authority won't allow it, noting that Langford is $10 million in debt already. Langford mayor Stew Young has also sent a letter to Victoria city councillors, blasting them for questioning his creative financing and meddling in his municipality's affairs.

Stew Young has also received some negative correspondence of his own – from the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which sent a letter demanding he withdraw his threat to sue activists for the $100,000 cost of having them arrested. Hey, Stew: this is what democracy looks like! Apparently not in Langford, though, where the municipality has also threatened to fine a woman $100 for publicly displaying signs – like the one above left – on her own property.

PS Make that five stories. Monday's Jason Youmans points out that Highlands mayor Mark Cardinal, who has spearheaded Bear Mountain-friendly zoning in his own neighbouring municipality, is actually working on the interchange. Such conflicts of interest are going to make for fascinating civic elections in November – although we may need UN observers present to trust the results.

PPS As always, Bob Dylan said it first (in 1962!) and better than anyone else:

There's a bran' new gimmick every day
Just t' take somebody's money away.
I think we oughta take some o' these people
And put 'em on a boat, send 'em up to Bear Mountain ...
For a picnic.

– "Talking Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"

You can listen to the song here.