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Anti-casino advocate enters council race as an independent

October 3rd, 2011 · 17 Comments

There hasn’t been an independent candidate elected to city hall since Carole Taylor in 1986, but that doesn’t ever seem to stop a few brave souls from trying to beat the considerable odds.

First up in the independent category this time is Sandy Garossino, who led the Vancouver Not Vegas coalition. I haven’t been able to schedule an interview yet (sorry, Sandy) so I’m unclear as to how Sandy’s position would be different from Vision Vancouver’s on the casino, which did reject the expansion.

I’m guessing that she would like to see the casino eliminated entirely from the Vancouver landscape and would not be open to any creeping amendments in future years to add a few tables here, a few slot machines there, at the existing casino.

Sandy Garossino declares candidacy as independent candidate for city council in Vancouver municipal election

Vancouver businesswoman and community organizer wants to return transparency to City Hall and help build an economically sustainable city.

Vancouver, Oct. 3, 2011 – Sandy Garossino, who co-founded and successfully led a campaign against the proposed expansion of a downtown Vancouver mega casino earlier this year, announced today she is running as an independent candidate for Vancouver City Council in the November 19 civic election.

Garossino, a former Crown prosecutor and businesswoman, said she is running because it is time to put the “Public” back into public service at Vancouver City Hall.

“The casino experience taught me how City Hall works, how citizens can make a difference in how their city is run and how there are too many barriers between elected officials and everyday Vancouverites,” said Garossino.

As an independent candidate, Garossino wants to make sure that the public’s voices continue to be heard, so that Vancouverites and future generations are partners in the evolution of the city. “I am running to help make sure the public has a real voice in civic government,” she said.

Garossino said Vancouver residents are also more interested in having their elected officials get things done, rather than have them fight battles around political agendas.

“As an independent councillor, I can serve as an impartial, fair councillor who will listen without an agenda, ideology or party interest to protect. I can speak my mind on issues without fear of being silenced. We need to bring everyone to the table to make this city work the way it should.”

Sandy’s priorities:

  • Ensure Vancouver City Hall once again becomes a servant of the people where transparency, access to information, and public consultation are priorities.
  • Develop sound fiscal discipline in a way that protects the city’s long-range interests and demonstrates value for tax dollars spent, while caring for its most vulnerable citizens.
  • Help create conditions where the local economy can flourish and benefit all citizens.

About Sandra Garossino

Born in Vancouver, Sandra Garossino was raised in a small Alberta town before returning to Vancouver to attend university.  She obtained a BA from Simon Fraser University in 1980 and an LLB from the University of British Columbia in 1983. She practiced law as a Crown prosecutor until 1988, working on cases such as gang activity.  When her father died, she and her brother assumed the ownership and management of the family business, operating three Metro Vancouver taxi companies.  As one of the largest privately held taxi fleets in Canada at the time, the operation employed some 250 people.

Since then, she has been active in several businesses, including the development of a firm aimed at making legal services more affordable to all.

She also took time to raise her now-grown children.

Garossino sits on the SFU India Advisory Council and has ties to UBC’s Asia strategy through her support for the Institute for Asian Research.  The objective of both bodies is to develop closer business and cultural links with Asia. Sandra sits on the Advisory Council of the Indian Summer Festival of Arts and Ideas and the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration.

Past board memberships include the Vancouver International Writers Festival, the Public Dreams Society (which produces Illuminares and the Parade of Lost Souls), the Alliance for Arts and Culture, and the Vancouver Biennale, which Garossino co-chaired.  She also chaired the Alliance for Arts’ Advocacy Task Force, and served as a volunteer consultant for the BC Association for Charitable Gaming, which represents the interests of thousands of BC charities affected by provincial gaming grant policy.

These relationships ultimately led her to co-found the Vancouver Not Vegas Coalition, successfully opposing the casino expansion.

Sandra is married to Ravi Sidhoo, who runs the 62-year-old family enterprise, East India Carpets in Vancouver.  Sandra and Ravi, who have 5 grown children, support a local school near Varanasi, India, offering education in grades 1 to 9 for the children of local carpet weavers.  They maintain a strong focus on girls’ education.

 

Categories: 2011 Vancouver Civic Election

  • Higgins

    Yeah, it figures.
    No public campaign organizer does that out of the goodness of their heart LOL! there are always hidden traps and doors and unfulfilled ‘grandiose’ political dreams. let’s see what happens… How come Frances was ready with bio in a matter of hours though… Vision ties? Curios.

  • Creek’er

    She was against the casino and wants to make legal services cheaper. She will not be getting my vote 🙂

  • Max

    Not mine either – remembering some condescending remarks she made on this blog. Another Meggs in red lipstick.

  • Jeff L.

    @Higgins #1

    You do realize that you just read a press release, right?

    I think it is refreshing to see someone run as an independent.

  • Stephen

    It is really unfortunate that the NPA in the past has campaigned against the ward system which would treat independents fairly.

    The NPA likes that the party with the biggest bank account, has the best chance of winning. Good policy or good candidates be damned.

    Until we have a ward system, independents do not stand a chance of being elected.

    Sandi has many good qualities that would serve the city well, but unfortunately she will not be elected in November.

  • Morry

    Ms. Garossino has my vote. I am going to be voting non-slate all the way.

    ps. the family taxi fleets were Richmond Cabs and Royal City taxi

  • George

    Ms. Garossino has my vote. Sandi has many good qualities that would serve the city well.

  • Bobbie Bees

    Which ever candidate promises to build street car tracks and bicycle paths on West Georgia has my vote. That street has simply become far too insane and is over run with car culture.

  • Frances Bula

    I am trying to schedule a talk with Sandy to get more info on what she has to say about all things city. As someone noted above, all I was able to do was post the news release from her team.

  • Morry

    This city is getting guild!! Time to take it back from the elites

  • JamieLee

    Good for Ms Garossino. She will be a great Councillor for this City. The problem with the mainstream media and I lump Frances Bula in with them is that they all think they know how the voter is going to vote. I believe while it is a uphill struggle for Independents, the public though is quite tired of slates and if not this election the showing by Ms Garrosino will demonstrate that Independents and their platforms will need to be taken seriously in future elections.

  • Roger Kemble

    Jaimelee @ #11

    I believe while it is a uphill struggle for Independents, the public though is quite tired of slates . . .

    Errrrr . . . ummmm . . . only slates?

    “On the day when you again allow abominable men (women too) to confiscate your freedom, your money, your lives, your private property, your manhood and your sacred honor, in the name of “security” or “national emergency’” you will die, and never again shall you be free.

    If plotters, (even on this blog: you know who they are!), again destroy your Republic, they will do it by your greedy and ignorant assent, by your disregard of your neighbors’ rights, by your apathy and your stupidity.

    We were brought to the brink of universal death and darkness because we had become that most contemptible of people — an angerless one.

    Keep alive and vivid all your righteous anger against traitors, against those who would abrogate your Constitution, against those who would lead you to wars with false slogans and cunning appeals to your patriotism.”

    Taylor Caldwell, “The Devil’s Advocate“(1952).

    Just a thought to keep in mind when you shimmy off to the polls, to support your chosen, slate, or one-off, white knight in shining armor, come early November!

  • Tessa

    @Bobby #8: I’d be happy with a dedicated bus lane so the North and West Vancouver buses don’t get stuck in the parking lot. I’ve made a habit of getting off at Burrard Street during rush hour and walking to Granville Street to catch the Canada line because believe it or not it’s usually faster than staying on the bus for that three blocks! The situation right now is a joke.

  • JamieLee

    @ Roger Kemble you are correct.

  • Ken

    It’s not only refreshing, but downright exciting that a serious advocate for the arts is running for for Vancouver City Council. All “world class” cities have vibrant and alive arts sectors; public (and private) sector support are integral components that need to be in place in order to make it happen. Too often our politicians have no idea about the why the “arts” are important – both spiritually and as an ECONOMIC GENERATOR. Tired of hearing about politicians at every level from federal on down pandering to so called “regular Canadians” – and portraying the arts as elitist and a waste of $’s. The arts represent a huge sector of folks who are also regular citizens who pay taxes and contribute to the vibrancy of this city. I support Sandy and I’m sure a lot of folks in the arts sector will be on board as well. And for the record – I even like the bike lanes!

  • Bill McCreery

    Ken and others, please look at the facts and the record. Suzanne Anton, Elizabeth Ball, Sean Bickerton and myself all have track records supporting the arts, and not simply as economic generators. Please see my post above about artists studios. I have also discussed support for the arts with my NPA colleagues, and can tell you that we have been in discussions with and are 100% ready to support the arts community in its many facets.

    I have practiced architecture for more than 40 years. Architecture, when it’s executed well, is one of the highest of fine art forms. I understand and share artists aspirations. Vibrant artistic communities are essential to Vancouver’s own integrity of place and being.

  • Michael Geller

    I do not personally know Ms. Garossino, but she strikes me as a thoughtful, intelligent and community spirited person. I am interested in learning more about her positions on the variety of issues that come before a City Council.

    Her challenge, however, is to get her message out to a broader public. Having participated in the last municipal election as a Council candidate, I can tell you that far too often, the media focus much too much on the Mayoral candidates, to the exclusion of the Council candidates, even those running for the major parties, let alone independents.

    Indeed, the fringe Mayoral Candidates often get more opportunity to speak to public gatherings than Council candidates for the established parties.

    Today most of us know very little about the council candidates, other than the incumbents. (To be truthful, we know very little about a few of them as well!)

    And while some candidates may become ‘world famous’ on this blog, or a few other political blogs, we won’t get to read about most of them in the daily newspapers or hear or see them on radio or television.

    To get exposure as an independent candidate is probably even more challenging, unless you have a lot of money to spend, or are surrounded by people who excel at social media. I suspect that Ms. Garassino may hope to have a bit of both.

    During the last election there were a couple of strong independent candidates. But most of us never learned about them, or paid much attention to them, until it was too late.

    Ms. Garossino has a head start as a result of her name recognition associated with the casino. This will be a positive for some voters, and a negative for others.

    However, she will have to wean voters off their addiction to ‘slate voting’, and convince them that they should vote for the best candidates, regardless of party affiliation.

    For my part, I intend to do just this. I’ll be voting for a Green Candidate for Park Board, and some Vision Candidates for Council, in addition to many of the NPA candidates. I will happily support worthy independent candidates for Council, Park and School Boards, but need to learn more about their positions.

    I offer Ms. Garossino, and any other credible independent candidates, along with the party candidates for Council, Park and School Board my best wishes in getting their messages out.