CALLING on SAM

Underbelly News
Downtown Eastside

CALLING on SAM

In follow up to the NPA board troubles, a few board members of the NPA, have stated in the Vancouver Sun, that they do not see the problem with paid staff in the Mayor's office (funded by taxpayers) also sitting on the NPA board (a private political association).

Troubling in this is the lack of judgement shown by NPA board members, the Mayor's new staff and the Mayor himself.

Board members of any organization should have the appropriate skills when it comes to making responsible decisions, especially around issues of judgment. Moreover, extreme caution should be exercised especially around sensitive political decision making. When, two NPA board members applied to be our new Mayor Sam Sullivan's, paid communications staff (funded by the public), they should have immediately tendered their resignations from the NPA board.

In fact, previously, a NPA board member who was applying to be a paid staff of the NPA, tendered his resignation before being ultimately hired so as not to place other board members in a perceived or real conflict of interest.

In most organizations, its very clear that having paid staff sitting in a duo capacity as board members, while not illegal, creates potential, perceived and or actual conflict. The reason being that management (exercises power and influence over the decision making of a staff member, and can use this influence directly or indirectly to curry favor over the staff in a board governance role.

Troubling for our new Mayor is that his decision to hire two board members of the NPA is only problematic because these two staff did not resign from the NPA board upon submitting their resumes for paid political work in the Mayor's office.

Profound in all this is that the public expects, the Mayor's office and his staff to be free of political influence or interference, once the Mayor is elected. By allowing his "non-partisan" taxpayer funded staff to remain board members of a "partisan" political organization, the Mayor, Sam Sullivan displays a careless lack of judgment. This cannot continue.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com

FIREWORKS at VAN-EAST MEETING

Underbelly News
Downtown Eastside

FIREWORKS at VAN-EAST MEETING

The first all-candidate meeting for Van-East took place last night at Brittania High School and this blogger was there to catch all the action and even the fireworks. As expected, Libby Davies, the incumbent MP had the audience eating out of her hand. Can the wily Ms Davies be even more popular among her constituents. Well it appears she is.

Dave Haggard, the Liberal candidate brought forth a fiery brand during his 7 minute opening introduction. His style reminded me of former NDP Premier, Dave Barrett. Articulate, strong delivery and passionate ideals impressed many in the audience. Allegedly, Mr. Haggard was ill and after his opening, was less passionate.

Ms Davies, as expected raised local issues concerning the riding. Often she went on the offensive, targetting the Liberal record while in office for the past 12 years. Mr. Haggard offerred up that Van-East was in a deplorable condition and he claimed this to be the result of an MP residing in opposition. He believes change will come by Van-East electing a MP in government. Ms Davies countered that the former MP before her, Anna Terrana, was in government and the riding turfed her after one term. This brought an affirmative respone from the many Davies supporters in the auditorium.

Many are predicting another slam dunk for Libby Davies on January, 23, 2006. All eyes will be watching to see if she improves on her previous 56% winning margin. If Mr. Haggard is to have any hope of closing the gap, he must stay away from attacking Ms Davies. She is far too popular in the riding and people love her representing them. Mr. Haggard would be wise to perhaps, lay out the record of the previous NDP provincial administration. As a result, he may find sympathy for his beliefs and make the race for Van-East much more interesting.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com