I WANT to MUCK, SHAKE and STIR it UP

I WANT to MUCK, SHAKE and STIR it UP

FROM the VICE-PRESIDENT of VAN-EAST RIDING< ASSOCIATION


Hi Friends,

Here it is Friday, September 29. I have
decided to remain standing as a delegate to the
Liberal Convention even though the whole delegate
selection process stinks to high heaven. Voting is
Sunday, October 1 from 10am-3pm at the Plaza 500
Hotel. Located at 12 and Cambie across from City Hall.

As some of you know, early on I threw my support
behind Dr Hedy Fry since she has stood steadfast in
support of the grassroots of this party. As a Woman of
Colour, it was extremely important that Ms Fry have my
support. She continues to have my support but
unfortunately, as we all know, she lacked the
financial resources to continue on.

She brought forward a platform which spoke to Liberal
Values. Values that as Canadians we must continue to
embrace. And we must boldly get behind the vision of
Dr Fry. In my opinion, she was the only candidate,
speaking out for the disenfranchised, the disempowered
and the oppressed.

Now on the ballot, my status will be UNDECLARED. In
order for me to have any hope of winning a delegate
spot, I must have members of Van-East voting this
Sunday, October 1, 2006. On the Leadership side, you
must vote Undecided or Undeclared and on the delegate
side of the ballot please vote JAMIE LEE HAMILTON.

Friends, I am extremely disapponted on how the
logistics of this Leadership race have been
implemented. Bad decisions were made regarding how we
pick the next leader. The process has been flawed. It
has been neither fair, transparent or accountable to
the grassroots.

We must mix and shake things up in order for re-newal
of this party to occur. Sadly we missed it big time on
the Leadership front. But we must learn from this
mistake and move boldly forward.

We must gravitate to a one-member one-vote system. All
members whether they be rich, middle class or poor
should have opportunity to be part of this great
political dynasty. Just saying, voters are, by being
allowed to vote in general elections is not good
enough. Everyone must be free to engage and be part of
our internal party operations. Restrictive membership
fees are outdated and need to be waived so poorer folks
or those who are homeless can truly participate, even muck
it up and work alongside us in our Re-Newal.

So on Sunday, October 1, 2006 I ask you to support
myself, JAMIE LEE HAMILTON as a delegate to
Convention. I want you to reflect on the hard work I
have accomplished for our riding and agree to support
me, even though this means you will have to vote
UNDECLARED for our next Leader.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me at (778) 235-3677.

Sincerely,

Jamie Lee Hamilton
Downtown Eastside Activist and
Vice-President
Vancouver-East Liberal Riding Association.