AN OPEN LETTER to CITY COUNCILORS

December 30, 2004

An Open Letter to Vancouver City Councilors

Dear Councilors,

I am writing this letter in regard to a disturbing news report published by the Georgia Straight on December 30, 2004.

In this news brief, it mentions that Mayor Larry Campbell's office had put forward the name of Randeep Singh Sarai in December, 2004 to fill the vacated police board position.

A number of serious issues have surfaced as a result of Mayor Larry Campbell's recommendation. Considering Mr Singh Sarai is facing disciplinary action with the Law Society of B.C., one is left wondering why the Mayor deems it appropriate to put forward his name.

As many of you are aware, the whole of City council, in-camera, either approves or rejects the recommendation put forward by the Mayor.

According to Mr Singh Sarai, in the Straight article, he suggests the Mayor is informed of his legal troubles. What is deeply alarming though is whether this information was put before you as a council by the Mayor when exercising your secret vote. This question needs answering.

While in-camera items are to remain confidential, this whole issue raises a major concern around the issue of public trust.

If this background information on one of the police board nominees wasn't placed before you, it appears that the Mayor and his office have placed councilors in a compromising position. It has the potential of calling into question, the integrity of all council members.

I think it important that councilors need to immediately answer whether the integrity of their public trust offices has been compromised.

You may reply to me via email tricia_foxx@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Jamie Lee Hamilton
Downtown Eastside Resident