Just when I was starting to wonder what was going on. I’d been told at the Oct. 20 NPA fundraiser that the list of nominees was going to be released the next day. Then there was a mysterious delay. Anyway, here’s the list of those running for the four positions the party is allowing nominations for.
As most of you will note here, this is not a list that will give Visionistas too many sleepless nights except possibly for the party’s floundering park board candidates, worried about facing a De Genova on the ballot.
There’s no Randy Helten, the very effective leader of the West End communards/aka West End Neighbours. No prominent developer who just might be interested in running for council. No former Vision mayoral candidate.
Vancouver, BC (November 6, 2010) – The Vancouver NPA’s Board of Directors has approved five candidates for its November 20 nomination meeting, which will take place at the Croatian Cultural Centre. They are:
- Bill McCreery – Nomination candidate for City Council
- Jesse Johl – Nomination candidate for City Council
- Casey Crawford – Nomination candidate for Park Board
- Melissa De Genova – Nomination candidate for Park Board
- Sophia Woo – Nomination candidate for School Board
The NPA’s Board had made the decision several months ago to nominate two candidates for City Council, one candidate for Park Board and one candidate for School Board at the November 20 nomination meeting. Therefore, members of the NPA will vote for either Casey Crawford or Melissa De Genova to be their Park Board candidate at the nomination meeting. Bill McCreery, Jesse Johl and Sophia Woo will be automatically acclaimed.
“The NPA’s Board is very pleased with the wealth of community involvement and experience these candidates bring to the party,” said John Moonen, President of the NPA. “Bill, Jesse and Sophia will be strong contenders in next year’s election. And, members will have a difficult decision in choosing either Casey or Melissa to be their Park Board candidate.”
NPA members can cast their votes for either Casey or Melissa beginning at 10:00 am at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Voting will close at 1:00 pm.
There will be an opportunity to meet the three candidates to be acclaimed and the two candidates running for Park Board, as well as City Councillor Suzanne Anton, Park Board Commissioner Ian Robertson and School Board Trustees Ken Denike and Carol Gibson. Several new members of the NPA’s Board will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre as well.
The NPA will hold another nomination meeting in spring 2011 where a mayoralty candidate will be selected, as well as more candidates for City Council, School Board and Park Board.
BACKGROUNDER
Bio for Bill McCreery – Nomination candidate for City Council
Bill graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1969, and practiced architecture in Vancouver for the past 38 years, receiving numerous design and heritage awards.
Bill was involved in the Third Crossing Debate from 1970-72, co-authored the study Ferry Crossing of Burrard Inlet, which led to today’s Sea Buses, and the study Rapid Transit Only Crossing of Burrard Inlet, which identified Metro Vancouver’s rapid transit potential and much of the Skytrain routing.
Bill was a Commissioner on the Vancouver Park Board from 1973-74, and implemented a much-needed update to the City’s parks and recreation system. He helped acquire new park space, including Jericho Park and the Stanley Park Entrance. Bill represented the Park Board on City Council’s False Creek Planning Committee, and helped establish development strategies and plans for the north and south sides of False Creek.
Bio for Jesse Johl – Nomination candidate for City Council
Born and raised in Vancouver, Jesse has been involved with many community organizations. He attended Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School in Vancouver, and went on to attend Douglas College and Simon Fraser University. Jesse currently works for CPC.
Jesse has been involved with many charitable organizations over the years, including Canuck Place Hospice for Children and Camp Goodtimes.
Jesse is married and has a young son, and is driven to make Vancouver a better place for everyone.
Bio for Casey Crawford – Nomination candidate for Park Board
A resident of Metro Vancouver all his life, and the City of Vancouver since 1992, Casey and his wife Carla live in the Oakridge neighbourhood along the Ontario Street bike route, which they use frequently with their two sons to visit the community facilities at Queen Elizabeth Park and Hillcrest/Riley Park. Casey works as a project manager with a local publishing firm, and several years of experience in sales and customer service.
A strong believer in giving back to the community, Casey has volunteered for several community organizations, including the Canadian Diabetes Association, YES-Canada Youth Services, the Little Mountain Baseball Association, Endeavour Society and UBC Crane Library. Currently, Casey is a Director of the Kerrisdale Soccer Association (six years), Director of the Stroke Recovery Association of BC (five years) and Chair of the Quilchena Elementary Parent Advisory Council since September 2010.
Bio for Melissa De Genova – Nomination candidate for Park Board
Melissa De Genova actively volunteers with several community groups and charitable organizations in Vancouver. Some of the many community initiatives and organizations she has been involved with include working with the annual Gala and Fundraising committees for Odd Squad Productions and being the Gala Chair for the Honour House Society. Melissa is also a past director of the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, and in 2009 was elected to the Vancouver NPA’s Board as Youth Chair. Understanding the importance youth have in our community, she has organized non-partisan forums, and coordinated initiatives focused on encouraging youth to become more involved with politics.
Melissa has also managed and worked on several political campaigns for municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. She currently works in real estate development, owns an event production company and is a graduate of Simon Fraser University. Melissa is 27 years old and is the daughter of five-term Park Board Commissioner Allan De Genova. She lives in Vancouver with her husband Blair, who works as a police officer, and their dog.
Bio for Sophia Woo – Nomination candidate for School Board
Sophia graduated from Simon Fraser University, has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hong Kong University, and is currently a mental health clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health. She is a recipient of the Outstanding Chinese Woman Award in 2007 and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Sophia has been published in professional journals and medical publications, speaks at local, national and international conferences, organizes community workshops and facilitates parents and family support groups.
Sophia’s long list of community involvement includes:
- Past Board Member and Current Member, Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown
- Board Member, Chinese Community Police Centre
- Board Member, Vancouver Association of Community Police Centres
- Past Board Member, Riverview Hospital
- Shop Steward, Occupational Health and Safety, Health Science Association
- Member, Arbutus Lions Club
22 responses so far ↓
1 Edward // Nov 6, 2010 at 9:15 pm
The NPA’s still being run by democracy-averse control freaks, I see.
2 Tom // Nov 7, 2010 at 8:53 am
Its not very often that a board member of a political party also runs as a candidate.
The only person on this list that gets my vote is Melissa.
Good job NPA on putting forward candidates that gives Vision an automatic 2 seats on council.
3 Dan // Nov 7, 2010 at 9:21 am
As a long time NPA supporter, this is the most pathetic list of NPA candidates I have seen for council, park board and school board. Even Melissa has no chance. She did not do too well in the last civic election (compared to her fellow NPA park board candidates in the last election) and has been missing in action and nowhere to be seen. I admit the DeGenova name had some clout and advantages before. However, that has all been lost in the last 2 years. I am truly mad and am going to be voting Green in the next election.
4 Tessa // Nov 7, 2010 at 12:28 pm
But seriously, three acclamations? It doesn’t sound like too many people are jumping at running for the NPA. I thought the early nomination meeting was supposed to be generating candidate interest, get some votes going, get people putting their name forward early. Maybe it’s just too early for people to step forward. Maybe this whole meeting was just a bad idea.
As for the acclamations, so much for democracy in political parties, and so much for actually voting for candidates. More like a free ride.
Oh well, at least regular FrancesBula.com commenters are represented.
5 Higgins // Nov 7, 2010 at 3:18 pm
What list?
That’s a grocery list.
Tom, if that Melissa is who I think she is…she better gets married with someone from Napoli. And fast. Melissa De Napoli sounds better. De Genova name is tainted. Allan was kicked from NPA only to join Vision, take Raymond Louie’s votes away from him during the Mayoral nomination race, and now this gent is spilling his guts in a kiss and tell afterthought. Phew! With such a pedigree…you go gal!
As for the future Vision List, wow, don’t ‘high five’ yet. You suck more than a suction pump. Paris Hilton joins your team tomorrow, and you still cannot possibly bring up the glitz you so desperately need.
What I’m saying here, basically, is that IMHO the Vancouverites are screwed!
We need something but NOT NPA, COPE or VISION.
6 Jeffrey // Nov 7, 2010 at 6:27 pm
If the whole idea of this early nomination was to make the NPA appear strong and organized, they failed miserably with this list of weak candidates. And one going to a current NPA Director (McCreery) raises quite a few red flags about the process and this early nomination. What was the NPA board thinking?
I was really hoping the NPA was getting their act together, but, this has shaken my confidence in their ability to find quality candidates who can offer those of us who feel blindsided by Vision a real alternative in the next election. What a wasted opportunity.
7 Brenton // Nov 7, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Maybe the name recognition is enough for some people, but I don’t think anyone’s afraid of Melissa De Genova. I don’t think she has much integrity, considering how fast she ran to the NPA after her dad lost the Vision nomination.
8 Glissando Remmy // Nov 7, 2010 at 10:33 pm
The Thought of The Day
“Alphonse. That’s his name. He is a Mountain Gorilla from Virunga. He is a vegetarian, he likes the great outdoors, his favourite sport is bungee jumping, he loves the foliage, and he plays a mean banjo. He sports a Donald Trump hair style, he detests wearing a suit and he has the stare of a poker player. I think he can take Gregor one on one, no problem.”
Name recognition… ‘Bet on that!’ some say.
But what the hell is that? Do you have to recognize a name? What does it mean? Is it good, is it bad? Does it help? Is it true? Or is it just SPIN? Is it a matter of the Newspeak replacing the Oldspeak? The Doublespeak?
From the point of view of the screwed voter, the ‘name recognition’ it seems to be a good thing. Who would vote for Campbell during the next election? Or for Robertson? The new Mayor doesn’t know who to fire first at City Hall? He remembers… ‘Pennnny!’ Or let’s check the list with the kisser-uppers from the media, you know who, those ones who wouldn’t let go of the Trough Mobile even if it was burning hot? Well, let’s not spoil the surprise, now, but you see, name recognition could be a good thing.
Of course, now and then, some guys would be voted in based on the sound of their name alone. Some Lulu lemon, Yoga moms would vote for a ‘Ghandi’ in a lotus posture minute; others would vote for ‘Sabrina the teenage witch’ for ‘Angelina Jolie’ or even ‘Lady Gaga’. Hey, there would be takers for Adolfo and Benito brothers.
So, how are you going to introduce yourself or your nominee? It’s becoming increasingly hard to educate the voter the way you want him to be educated. So then, do what everyone else is doing. SPIN!
SPIN. It’s not a lie. Neither is it the truth. It’s something in between.
Campbell.
What he did was wrong. He is a creepy, red shoes wearing buffoon. But who doesn’t like the circus? Clowns are just like me and you, people; only sadder, you know?
Robertson.
He swore behind closed doors and made fun of other people. So, who doesn’t? And he laughed about it after that. A sense of humour it’s like an apple a day, and he bikes. To his pretend work.
Ballem.
Incompetent, brutal, heartless, deceiving? Think about it, if we would be living in Hell, and we’d just might, these would be well sought after qualities, eh? It works.
Garr.
‘They thought the beef jerky would sink.’ Is it a writer? Is it a banker? No, it’s Supergarr!
I’m telling you; in this game at this stage you don’t want name recognition. What you want is a team of professional spinners that work for you. Let the best spinner win!
I also have an announcement to make: I have accepted the nomination for the Mayor’s job on behalf of the newly formed ‘Parody Not Party’ –PNP. It will be a great opportunity to be able to make fun of myself.
I’ll take Vancouver on a newer path of constructive destruction. That way!
PNP’s platform is rather simple; It’s basically a Vision, to Cope with the NPA in a direction, and for some time.
Our campaign slogan will be ‘You bet we can or else we can’t!’ Our colour is going to be in many shades. We stand for nothing, but not for too long. Our campaign contributions will come from people like you, after we get elected. We never lie, we just delay the truth.
Oh, it’s going to be great. I can’t wait to redecorate my office and book myself a trip to Hong Kong.
This is My promise to you.? Now, let’s…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_Y3AGYRs8
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
9 Lewis N. Villegas // Nov 8, 2010 at 5:55 am
Good luck Bill Mc.
10 spartikus // Nov 8, 2010 at 10:08 am
Kudos to Bill for throwing his hat in the ring. Political life is thankless.
Expect many questions from me, however
11 Mira // Nov 8, 2010 at 11:07 am
Glissando. The best ‘would be Mayor’ satirist in Vancouver! I can’t believe he explained the SPIN in such detail one day ahead of the last municipal beauty contest poll. Oh yeah, Robertson sits comfortably on the little chair…LOL
Begin the Beguine. Brilliant!
12 Bill McCreery // Nov 8, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thank you Lewis & Sparks. I will be trying to keep my part of the ensuing discourse focused on the issues & matters @ hand. I also welcome your questions & the dialogue which will follow. It’s 1 of the interesting aspects of this medium.
13 Bill McCreery // Nov 8, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@ Francis: “Just when I was starting to wonder what was going on. I’d been told at the Oct. 20 NPA fundraiser that the list of nominees was going to be released the next day. Then there was a mysterious delay.”
Not sure who your source was @ the Fundraiser 2 weeks ago but, here is what actually happened:
The Board met Wednesday evening after completing the review & interview process in the preceding days. We were informed Thursday AM of their decisions. We were asked to submit our bio’s for a release. I submitted mine on Friday. The release went out the next day. Where’s the delay?
14 Frances Bula // Nov 8, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@Bill. My source was Manjot Hallen, the head of the nominations committee.
15 Delia // Nov 8, 2010 at 8:31 pm
NPA? Oh, I vaguely remember them. I didn’t realize they were still around. Never heard of these new candidates. What exactly does the NPA believe? Garbage strikes every three years? Embarassing our city with no city services every three years? That’s what Vancouver is like every time we have had an NPA council. Garbage everywhere, uncut grass, no recreation and libraries, and messy streets–and council apparently can’t do anything about it!
16 Bill McCreery // Nov 8, 2010 at 10:02 pm
@ Delia 15. I smell a plant.
17 Richard // Nov 8, 2010 at 11:14 pm
@Bill
You can smell plants because there is no overwhelming stench of garbage that has been sitting around for weeks
18 IanS // Nov 9, 2010 at 6:44 am
I assume that this is just the beginning of the process for identifying NPA council and (hopefully) a Mayoral candidate?
19 IanS // Nov 9, 2010 at 6:45 am
Oh, and congrats on throwing your hat in the ring Bill.
20 Bill McCreery // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:15 am
Thank you Ian &, yes more excellent candidates to come in the Spring.
21 ThinkOutsideABox // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:32 am
Congrats Bill,
I look forward to your journey to council. I won’t be surprised by further nasty and immature criticisms like those above coming from Vision supporters – it seems to be a refuge for that type of character. Don’t sweat it.
22 MB // Nov 10, 2010 at 10:04 am
To the shock and incredulity of city hall junkies, some of us voters are not party slate lemmings.
We look for signs of individual intelligence amongst the whirling gravitational push and pull of orbiting politicos, and try to ignore the monikers.
Elections should be won on ideas, we say, not sound bites, bleached teeth and Group Think, even though these are things we often actually get, hence the rise in voter cynicism.
Bill has prior experience on council, and with fellow NPAer Michael Geller, has left indelible tracks on urban issues here in the Bula Blog.
So, where is Michael this time around?
The expectation that party affiliation should rule the kitchen needs to to be transfigured into a reduction of the best ideas, and ideas are not confined to parties (although acting — or not acting — on them is). If they were, then bobbleheads and shills would become the best candidates society could present as leaders, and the best defenders, critics and analysts the media could produce.
We’re already half way there. So please listen to the ideas of individual candidates before the Official Lines are published.
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