NPA park board commissioner Ian Robertson wants Vision Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to issue a second apology for dropping the f-bomb and insulting speakers at a meeting last week during comments caught on tape when the mayor thought his microphone was turned off.

Robertson says the mayor's release of a one-paragraph blanket apology Monday was not good enough. Instead, the commissioner wants the mayor to apologize directly to West End residents.

"I, for one, would like to hear him show some genuine contrition and apologize properly," says Robertson. "This wasn't some minor gaffe. Vision Vancouver is showing their real arrogance and disrespect for public consultation and input."

Robertson noted that the mayor said in his election campaign that he was committed to practicing politics in "an open, consultative way" and promised to act in an acceptable manner. "So when was he showing us his true colours, then or now?" Robertson said.

SELLING SEAWALL

There's an ad posted to the online classified website Craigslist that reads, "Stanley Park Seawall for Sale..."

That had me intrigued, but as it turns out the park board isn't selling the seawall to the highest bidder to make up its budget shortfall. Instead, the contractor tasked with rebuilding two sections of the seawall is selling the granite blocks salvaged from the project. Unfortunately souvenir seekers won't have the opportunity to purchase small pieces of the wall. Interested purchasers must be willing to purchase all of the granite blocks--an estimated volume of 890 cubic metres, not to be confused with "democracy cubed."

According to the ad, any reasonable offer will be considered and the contractor promises to demolish and load the material. The buyer must provide a truck to haul the blocks away.

The $4.5 million project includes reconstructing parts of the seawall, seawall walkway and drainage system, as well as the grading and seeding of adjacent areas. The project is partially funded with $2 million from a federal government infrastructure stimulus grant.

For the next few months seawall users will find detours around both sections. Pedestrians, cyclists and rollerbladers should follow the temporary signs indicating detours and follow instructions from flag people. The work is being done during the summer to take advantage of low tides.

BEATING BEETLES

If you plan on spraying your lawn with nematodes to fight chafer beetles, now is the time to do it. We're giving it a try at home and had to get a permit from the city that allows us to ignore sprinkling restrictions and water the lawn every day for 13 days.

The last two weeks of July is still the most effective time to apply nematodes to your lawn. Also, remember to keep your grass a little longer than usual. Chafer beetles are lazy and choose lawns that are easy to bury their eggs in.

DROP IN, POP OUT

Kensington Skate Park officially opens tomorrow, July 17, with a celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event includes a ribbon cutting, cake, skateboard demonstrations and a helmet giveaway. The Vancouver Skateboard Coalition and Concrete Powder skateboard magazine will also be hand. The park is located at East 37th Avenue at Knight Street, east of the Kensington Community Centre.

sthomas@vancourier.com