Latest news with #Jackson
Vancouver Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Park board pushes back on Kits Pool reservation system complaints, but says it's open to modifications
The Vancouver park board is pushing back after complaints about Kitsilano Pool's reservation system, but it also says it's open to making some changes. Earlier this week, after the park board declined to hear a motion about ending the advanced-booking system, Mayor Ken Sim issued a public statement calling on Premier David Eby to fulfil his previous commitment to fold the park board into city operations, and said the city was 'exploring all options' to eliminate the reservation system and bring back drop-in access. On Tuesday, Laura Christensen, the park board chairperson, responded to Sim's broadside with a letter of her own, addressed to Eby, stating: 'I have personally received significant positive feedback from residents who use and appreciate the booking system.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. She said the pool reserves 20 per cent of its capacity for drop-ins, and only one drop-in slot this summer — 6 p.m. on July 12 — had to turn away visitors. Those who reserve in advance don't need to wait in line, she wrote, and drop-in visitors typically only wait for the duration it takes to process payments. Christensen said that for the week of July 8 to 17 the pool served more than the 'baseline' number of patrons expected based on pool capacity in 30 out of 40 sessions and that Leisure Access Pass (LAP) users, low-income residents who are provided with free and reduced-cost programs, are also able to reserve online. Park board manager Steve Jackson said Thursday that his staff is working hard to find a 'sweet spot' that will work for all users of the city's popular seaside pool. ' We are trying to find a solution that works with everyone and asking how do we make this pool the best for as many people as possible?' Jackson said the booking system, which reserves 80 per cent of the slots daily for those who book online, works for many — especially those who don't live in the neighbourhood but come to use the pool from other parts of Vancouver. 'There is a real equity issue here and the reservation system is about making sure that this is a facility that is open to all, especially people who come from other parts of the city,' said Jackson. Jackson said staff are looking at data, and listening to public feedback, but it's unlikely the pool will drop the reservation system entirely. 'The ultimate goal is to find an approach that works for the majority. We are collecting data and we are going to potentially make modifications throughout the summer,' said Jackson. Staff are looking at possibilities such as extending the length of the slots (currently, users can book for 2.5 hours and there are four, 30-minute 'turnover' times a day when lifeguards get a break and cleaning is done); finding a way to deal with reservation no-shows; and improving drop-in access, said Jackson. Jackson is urging pool-users to share feedback with staff, including lifeguards, cashiers and park board team members. In a statement Thursday, the Housing and Municipal Affairs Ministry said: 'Local governments are responsible for managing their recreational facilities. We know how important it is for local governments to have all the tools they need to provide appropriate governance. The province continues to work with the City of Vancouver on its request.' dryan@
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos roster: WR Courtney Jackson (No. 89) could be a candidate to return kicks
Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie wide receiver Courtney Jackson, No. 89. Before the Broncos: Jackson (5-11, 189 pounds) spent his final two college seasons at Arkansas State after spending 2019-22 at Syracuse University. As a member of the Orange, Jackson led the team in 2021 with 39 catches for 389 yards, earning an All-ACC mention from Pro Football Focus. Jackson transferred to Arkansas State in 2023, where he was a receiver and a punt returner. In 2023, Jackson had a 60-yard punt return and posted a 100-plus-yard receiving game against Texas State. In his Red Wolves career, Jackson had 81 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns. As a returner, Jackson had 31 opportunities to run the ball back, returning the rock for 438 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons. Broncos tenure: Jackson was part of Denver's initial wave of undrafted free agent signings after the 2025 NFL draft in April. Jackson will make his Broncos debut during preseason in August. Chances to make the 53-man roster: Long shot. As two-time Pro Bowler Marvin Mims became more of a dynamic threat at wide receiver late in the 2024 season, the Broncos may be looking to have additional options at kick returner for the 2025 season. Therefore, although Jackson faces long odds to make the active roster, his return ability will help his odds. He might be stashed on the practice squad as a backup receiver/returner. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
The Age
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
The 55-minute lunch, the ‘brazen signal' and the council in chaos
Among the matters under examination are councillor conduct, the council's handling of its finances, and state government grants for infrastructure, property purchases and staff employment – including its revolving door of 10 acting or permanent chief executive officers in eight years. On Friday, the inquiry heard Jackson – who lived in Northern Ireland through The Troubles and was once chief executive of the Belfast Local Strategy Partnership – started work at the council in 2014. He had replaced the council's former boss Kiersten Fishburn, who is the current secretary of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, as chief executive in November 2020. By the time of his lunch with Mannoun in late 2021, the inquiry heard Jackson was one year into his five-year contract and fresh from a positive performance review. He had steered more than 800 staff through the departure of a 'highly popular' former chief executive, a restructure, and the pandemic. Loading 'The organisation was exhausted, we didn't need further upheaval,' he had told Mannoun. When he had quizzed Mannoun about what he meant by his remarks about the chief executive role, Mannoun had not responded, but instead asked Jackson about the process required to terminate his contract. Jackson said he had phoned Mannoun when he secured the mayoralty on December 20. 'I congratulated him on his success and he immediately said, 'Have you thought about my proposition to you about leaving the organisation?' 'I said, 'I think you're making a mistake, but if you've got the numbers, we know how it plays out.'' Mannoun said that 'his group' had agreed to a settlement of 50 weeks' pay, which Jackson understood was a reference to Liberal councillors, of which there were five on the council. He had also expressed a desire to Jackson that they keep his 'transition' out of the role professional, to agree on core messaging to staff, and for the matter to remain confidential. At a meeting on January 10, before the first meeting of the new council, Mannoun had said: 'Eddie, the people of Liverpool have elected their mayor and new CEO.' Jackson said: 'That, to me, was a very brazen signal of his intent to take a direct role, contrary to the [Local Government] Act, in the appointment of directors and day-to-day operations of staff, and he had no qualms about seeking to direct or influence members of staff, or directors in particular. 'I was very concerned about that.' Jackson said Mannoun had reiterated his dissatisfaction with the council directors' recent performance, which Jackson thought was 'unfair, 'very dismissive' and 'an arrogant approach'. Loading 'I'm speaking in the context of living through Belfast in the worst of times – COVID tested everyone in a way that was unprecedented.' Councillors voted 6-5 to terminate Jackson's contract and replace him with acting chief executive Peter Diplas at a council meeting on February 2. Jackson met Mannoun a few days later to discuss his settlement, which was reached months later. 'The meeting concluded, I shook his hand at the door, and that was the last contact I had with Mr Mannoun,' Jackson said. Jackson will be cross-examined next week, and Mannoun is yet to provide evidence. The inquiry continues. It is being heard over five weeks in front of Commissioner Ross Glover.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano reveals ‘the priority' for Chelsea player this summer as potential deal brews
There is a potential deal brewing up still for one Chelsea player this summer as Fabrizio Romano reveals his priority. It's not just this potential deal that is brewing up right now, there are plenty of stories arising for Chelsea as we approach the latter end of this summer transfer window. EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea open club-to-club talks to sign star after getting the player buy-in! Chelsea seem to be getting closer to signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and they have been helped there after Leipzig have declared their desire to sign a current Chelsea player, opening the door for a big swap deal to be done this summer. And one story that caused outrage amongst the fan base yesterday was Chelsea apparently now wanting to sell Trevoh Chalobah over the always injured Wesley Fofana, which really is just madness. The Jackson story continues Fabrizio Romano has been on this one with constant reports linking Manchester United to Nicolas Jackson – so something is certainly going on here. But so far at least, nothing has move on or advanced, and we are yet to hear that Jackson will definitely be leaving the club this summer. However, the Jackson story still has a lot to play out in the next six weeks I feel, for sure. Romano's latest on Jackson Nicolas Jackson in action against Manchester City. (Photo by) The transfer expert has written his latest on Jackson and United on GIVEMESPORT this week. He says: 'Nicolas Jackson will be one to watch in the final month of the summer transfer window. 'His situation at Chelsea remains open; he's not out of the project or guaranteed exit this summer, but there's a strong chance for Jackson to leave as Chelsea are open to doing business on their terms. 'Sources reveal that in recent days, Manchester United have been approached with the opportunity to proceed and start talks for Nicolas Jackson. 'He's been offered as one of the chances for Man United to add a new striker as the next main priority for Ruben Amorim after Mbeumo and Cunha, so Chelsea have opened their doors to United. 'According to sources close to the negotiations, Chelsea still maintain an interest in Alejandro Garnacho as an option in case Manchester United want to open a proper negotiation for Nicolas Jackson; the message has been received at Carrington, as United are aware of Chelsea's potential interest in Garnacho and they are open to discussing conditions of a swap deal involving Nicolas Jackson. 'Nicolas Jackson also would not close his doors to a move to Manchester United even without Champions League or European football next season. 'The priority for Jackson would be to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place, but if it isn't possible, United would be considered as a good option.'
Times
15 hours ago
- Times
Welcome to our 600-acre island. Population: just us
There are two kinds of people. There are those who see a rental cottage on a private island with its own boat and think 'wow' — and then there is my wife. 'No way,' she says. 'I like boats — I just don't want to be in one when you're driving.' Which is why, weeks later, I am baffled to find ourselves two-thirds of the way along the Ardnamurchan peninsula at Laga Bay — the launch spot for the crossing to the Isle of Carna where our cottage (and boat) await. The good news before our descent to Laga Bay is that no one is worrying about the boat on Carna any more. The bad news is that's because all any of us can think about is the alarmingly steep drive down to the water. 'This can't be right,' says one of the kids, peeping over the dashboard like he's at the top of the Big One in Blackpool. 'I'm getting out,' says my wife. 'It'll be fine,' I say, while simultaneously wishing I could join her. Turns out it's a doddle — but as private island arrivals go, it's not exactly Richard Branson saying 'Welcome to Necker'. It's more like, 'Toughen up, townie — west coast rules now.' Unloading the car, I try hard not to meet my wife's gaze. We are greeted by the friendly Carna caretaker, Andy Jackson, who helps lug our bags and food boxes across the wobbly pontoon to his boat. He ferries us 20 minutes across Loch Sunart to Carna. A seal pops up beside the prow; terns dance in our slipstream; and Highland summits glower above the water in all directions. Reaching Carna, we lug the bags across another pontoon and load them into an ancient Land Rover, which Jackson drives the short distance to our cottage while we walk. It's taken less than four hours to get here from central Scotland — but it feels a hell of a long way from home. • Shore thing — the Secret Coast holiday home of your dreams The cottage, Carna House, is a time warp of tradition: tongue-and-groove panelled walls, antique chests and gas lamps. It had its last serious refit in the 1920s and boy, does it show, though only in the best possible way. No wi-fi, no phone signal — just an old-money fantasy of hardbacks and board games, wood by the stoves, well-thumbed guides to Britain's birds and flowers. Jackson shows us how to light the lamps and then he's off. It's just us, the island and a bunch of books on mallards and moss campions. 'What shall we do?' asks the 21-year old, checking his phone for a signal for about the 19th time. So what do you do on a roughly one-square mile island with one teenager, three early twentysomethings — and zero Netflix or TikTok? A lot of chatting, it turns out. For an entire afternoon we sit out front, talking rubbish, scanning the bay for otters and saying hi to the curious cows who come over to watch us from across the fence. It helps that it's one of those boiling mid-June weekends when even the midges give up; but even on a rain-sodden afternoon in November, the unexpected thrill of being here with only your family for distraction would stir the soul and supercharge the serotonin. • Isle of Eriska hotel review: complete bliss on a private island Next day Jackson returns for our boat tutorial — a moment my wife and I have avoided discussing since that first fractious conversation. But is it because Jackson is the local coastguard? Or has 24 hours of island life somehow made my wife forget how inept I can be? Either way, Jackson is suddenly gone and the six of us are chugging up the straits between Carna and the Morvern peninsula in search of a nearby seal colony. It is a thrillingly Swallows and Amazons moment. We cut the engine and drift past the seals. One pops up beside the boat; others lift a head then go back to basking in the sun. An eagle traverses the skyline. Eventually, reluctantly, we turn and circle back around Carna, one of my sons taking over controls as I join my wife at the front of the boat. And so the days pass: we paddleboard, take the boat out and occasionally wander five minutes over to the barn to see if we can pick up wi-fi. One day we walk to the wee peak at the top of the island for views across a dizzying foreverness of summit and sea; another day Huw MacBride from SeatrekScotland ( comes over to take us snorkelling in the bay. But mostly we just sit outside the cottage, stare at the view — and talk. • The splendid Scottish island in easy reach thanks to a new ferry 'How was it? Jackson asks, ferrying us back to the mainland at the end of our stay. 'Special place, isn't it?' I look back to the cottage, to the wee patch of grass where we spent so many hours, to the cows now cooling themselves in the shallows. Special is right. Details Jeremy Lazell was a guest of Carna ( Three nights' self-catering for eight at Carna House costs from £1,462.50; one week costs from £2,250
