Robertson sworn in as mayor: Promises emergency help for homeless

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Robertson sworn in as mayor: Promises emergency help for homeless

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I just returned from the Inaugural Ceremony at  the Sunset Community Centre.  Here are my notes on the contents of Robertson's speech.  He said:

• Our diversity as a city means that we have expertise from across the globe
• This is unique as a city
• We live in challenging times
• We need to make use of our creative talents
• So prepare for some work

• We are at a crossroads
• The world is turning its attention toward us
• What will it see in 2010?
• Not a city complacent in its natural beauty but a city of cultural wealth
• We need to confront the causes of crime

• I decided to run for mayor to end street homelessness.  It is our highest priority
• Homelessness degrades all of us
• Homeless is everything our aspirations are not
• Homelessness must end and it will end by 2015

• Give people beds and get them off the streets
• Increase outreach
• Maintain affordable housing
• Giving people treatment
• Long-term affordable housing
  

• We will announce emergency measures in the coming days to address homelessness
• This is not a time to be tentative
• If any city can achieve visionary goals it is Vancouver
  

• Creative sectors make up nearly 1/3 of our jobs
• We need leadership goals.
• Need to leverage the Olympics to tackle homelessness.
• We need to be a powerhouse of green initiatives and a centre of cultural industry
  

• We have a heritage of bold, smart decisions
• For example, Stanley Park, Granville Island and the preservation of Strathcona
• Vancouver Pride Parade drew over 500,00 people
• We started Greenpeace
  

• Audacity that is grounded in practicality.  That is the Vancouver way.
  

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