Well, well, well, the stew is thickening. Lots of new investigations
on the way, I'm sure there will be some interesting things turning
up, but not in time for Saturday's civic election. Voters better
choose wisely at the polls to make sure justice is done in
Vancouver as we head into the Olympics.
Maybe while the police are investigating they might look into
allegations of some other things, such as coercion,
secret commissions and breach of trust related to this
statement from Gary Mason, who broke the story for the Globe
& Mail, which brings up some excellent questions:
"Details of the city's involvement in bailing out the
project's cash-strapped developer have until now been
kept secret. Councillors are under a publication ban
and have been told they face serious repercussions if
they discuss publicly the decisions taken at the in
camera meeting."
So, the Vancouver Police Department should be examining
who instituted a publication ban? When? What repercussions
have been threatened against the parties and Who would
mete them out? Would those repercussions use City funds
to enact them?
And, since Phillip Owen and Larry Campbell are johnny's
on the spot in explaining how all sorts of deals and contracts
are made in camera at Van City Hall. I'm sure they will
make good witnesses to interview.
Also, it should be confirmed, or denied as to whether Tim
Stephenson introduced a motion to bring all of this out in
the open so taxpayers and citizens could learn more about
it before the city provided more money to a private
corporation, which may, or may not, be alleged to have ties
to the NPA. That seems like an important question for the
VPD to be looking into too.
In Lo down on the city's $100 million loan Allen Garr,
of the Vancouver Courier says that Stephenson did. He writes:
"And, just so you know, before that in camera meeting Vision
Vancouver Coun. Tim Stevenson moved a motion at council
to have all matters to do with the Millennium deal made public.
The NPA majority first delayed him then ruled him out of order.
More to the point, this whole arrangement with Millennium
was an NPA deal from the beginning. Ladner and his crew will
have to wear that. ..."
It's also a great thing that Vancouver City Hall has "whistleblower"
policies too. I have a feeling those are going to come in handy
soon.
Whistleblowers Get Some Protection at Vancouver City
Hall
Administrative Report: Whistleblowing Policy.
Standing Committee on Planning & Environment.
Vancouver City Council, May 15th, 2008.
From the Pivot NewsWire
City lacked legal authority for $100m secret meeting
For immediate release – November 12, 2008
Vancouver – Pivot Legal Society has filed a complaint with the
Provincial Ombudsman alleging that the City of Vancouver did
not have legal authority to withhold information from the public
about a $100m Olympic village loan guarantee.
“This complaint targets all three major municipal parties
represented on council right now,” said Laura Track, housing
campaigner with Pivot. “To our knowledge, not one councillor
stepped up and voted against holding the meeting in secret or
insisted on public debate.”
City of Vancouver bylaws allow in camera meetings when
discussion of the “acquisition, disposition, or expropriation”
of land or improvements would harm the interests of the City.
The complaint points out that the $100m loan guarantee raised
none of those issues. The complaint also raises concerns about
statements made by City staff.
Police to investigate disappearance of confidential
Olympic Village documents
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 6:09 PM ET
CBC News
Five Things That Make Me Wonder What The $100
Million Bailout Is Really For, Exactly (v3.0)...
Gazetteer.
The Banana Republic of Vancouver?
What the hell goes on at City Hall with 100 million
taxpayer dollars?
Read the Comments, seems that Mr. A.G.Tsakumis has
taken exception to your intrepid editor's story and is in the
process of bursting a blood vessel, or having a stroke, or
something.
Vancouver may loan Millennium up to $100-million
Firefighters union endorses Robertson for mayor
Every Vision candidate backed except for one
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