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Where is the Non-Partisan Association?

May 4th, 2011 · 73 Comments

Today is the final day for the NPA to receive applications from those wanting to run as candidates under the party’s banner.

I’ve run a list before of the candidates who appear to be in the race so far, though I had to glean it from various bits of gossip. (So, sorry, Jason Lamarche, that I didn’t include you in my first list, as Mike Klassen didn’t mention your name at his candidacy announcement.)

But I have to say, this is the deadest NPA campaign I’ve ever witnessed.

We have no sense of who the mayoral candidates are. None have made their names known publicly yet, though we’ve had any number of people say they aren’t running. That means there’s not going to be any kind of Christy Clark/Sam Sullivan or Sullivan/Peter Ladner type of race, as far as I can tell.

Besides today being the day for candidate applications, it’s also the last day anyone can sign up for a party membership to vote. Since no one has declared publicly for the mayoral slot, there’s been no mass frenzy of signing up as we’ve seen in the past.

There is the possibility, of course, that the party could bring in a star candidate now or even in September without a big race — as COPE did with Larry Campbell in 2002 — but that speaks to the temperature of the party right now, that no one is fighting to lead it.

So here’s what I know so far about who’s running and who’s not. Updates welcome.

For council:

– Councillor Suzanne Anton, unless she decides to run for mayor

– Former NPA councillor Elizabeth Ball

– Former NPA candidate Sean Bickerton

– CityCaucus blogger Mike Klassen

– Public-relations consultant George Affleck

– Former NPA school board trustee Bill Yuen

– Lawyer Joe Carangi

– Chinatown businessman Francis Wong

– Corporate communications writer Jason Lamarche

– Previously nominated candidate Bill McCreery

For school board:

– Perennial trustee Ken Denike

– Previously nominated candidate Sophia Woo

For park board

– Previous nominated candidate Melissa DeGenova

– Bloedel Conservatory rescuer John Coupar

– Former NPA board member Dave Pasin

NOT running again are Ian Robertson, who has served two terms on the park board, and Carol Gibson, on school board.

 

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  • ThinkOutsideABox

    That “made up” title was “Executive Director”.

    …after she pushed Wilderness Committee co-founder and mentor Paul George away in a power grab by setting him on a task to write a book about the Committee. Paul’s wife is Adriane Carr who also served on the Wilderness Committee executive team, and ran recently as the Green candidate in Vancouver center.

    Apparently Reimer had a knack for harassing people psychologically at the Committee that she didn’t like, i.e. requiring log times in & out for when going to the bathroom. If you had an idea for how to do something, like say increase membership fees, you had to make Andrea believe it was her idea for it to get done.

    I guess that’s what street smarts gets you, but I’ll let others applaud that.

    Here’s her latest dust up with Michael Geller:

    http://gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2011/05/open-letter-to-andrea-reimer-on.html

    Andrea, your somewhat snarky comment on Twitter that if UDI is opposed to LEED CERTIFICATION you are even more committed to requiring it, has prompting me to write this note to you….

    …Here’s the problem. A rezoning contingent on achieving a LEED Gold Certification will grant extra density. The building can be bigger, or higher. However, the developer and his/her team will not know if the building can be certified until AFTER COMPLETION AND OCCUPANCY…

  • Chris Keam

    “Sam Sullivan was homeless for 8 years”

    After checking out Sullivan’s official bio, his wikipedia entry, and a couple other online profiles, I can find no mention of Mr Sullivan ever being homeless. Can you provide a citation or corroboration of this claim please Max?

    thx

    CK

  • spartikus

    Hmmm…yes, I can’t find any sort of corroboration on that claim either.

    Sam Sullivan has clearly overcome personal tragedy and I know of no one who wouldn’t acknowledge that. Too bad his political leadership was wanting.

    @TOAB That falls in to the category of “office gossip”. It could be a true characterization or it could be the spin of a slighted party or it could be completely invented. I will never have any way of confirming it. It’s not very useful.

    It’s far better to judge Reimer on her public record. The “dust-up” with Geller over LEEDS is perfect example.

  • Everyman

    @ boohoo 36
    I suspect its because civic politics is the lowest part of the political foodchain. Candidates get on the ladder as a school board, parks board or even council candidate after having been active in local neighbourhood matters (PAC’s, neighbourhood planning groups) the more ambitious or talented (not necessarily the same) move on to the provincial or federal level once they have name recognition.

    But its rare you’d find a “star” candidate in municipal politics isn’t it?

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    @spartikus, except that it is a report from a first hand account rather than just rehashing some anecdote in wikipedia. I think it’s useful information to me if any reporter here wants to look further, as I’m interested in the character of the people I elect, not just how far they’ve come. It’s not enough for me to just read that someone ascended to the head of something and then assume manufactured noble sentiments based on a platitude.

  • George

    @TOAB
    Google Andrea Reimer, School Board, Political Psychiatry. Car 87… documented

  • spartikus

    except that it is a report from a first hand account

    No, it’s hearsay. You could have made it up for all I know.

  • spartikus

    Google Andrea Reimer, School Board, Political Psychiatry. Car 87… documented

    Yes, I do recommend you read it and judge the quality of the evidence for youself.

    In related news, Hillary Clinton still hasn’t addressed the Vince Foster rumours adequately…

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    @sparticus, Uhh, no it’s a first hand account. Sorry for you, and only you, that it doesn’t come with a weblink.

  • George

    Spartikus… I do trust the quality of the report…

  • spartikus

    Uhh, no it’s a first hand account. Sorry for you, and only you, that it doesn’t come with a weblink.

    Uh, no, it’s not a first-hand account. At least the first link in the Google search we were urged to follow in the #56.

    Your link in # 59 is, oddly enough, broken.

    The links from the Google search, which I linked to, relate a third party recounting another unnamed individual’s charges. It mentions no names, dates, or times.

    Reimer’s alleged complicity in this “Car 87” plot consists of:

    1. Not looking up when Car 87 is mentioned at this community meeting. I’m guessing if she had looked up…well…that would have been a double-plus sign of guilt.

    2. Conducting an in-camera meeting at the VSB wherein it is alleged false testimony is given by members of Car 87. Given that it is an in-camera meeting how it is known beyond a shadow of a doubt that the testimony is false is, well, beyond me, but that’s just me.

    Apparently you consider something “documented” if an unnnamed individual, such as one known as “reliable sources” writes about it on a website. There are no links to VSB, VPD or media sources. Or any sources for that matter.

    I will take all this under consideration when ThinkOutsideABox and George make assertions in the future. And I will hold you to the standards you’ve set for yourselves.

  • Jason King

    “Most people – even if they disagreed with them politically – would applaud someone overcoming the adversity that Andrea Reimer has.”

    Spartikus, while I agree that Andrea Reiner pulling herself up from adversity is admirable, I don’t think it gives her a “free pass” from ridicule. Sam Sullivan has been ripped to shreds by his opponents and he has had to overcome adversity every day. If we are basing the level of our scorn on ones life experiences, should we then be that much harder on Gregor because he’s lived more of a life a privilege?

    Ones life story can be inspiring and admirable, but it doesn’t mean our questioning or criticism of their actions should be tempered by it.

  • Chris Keam

    I don’t read where Spartikus suggests Reimer deserves a free pass, or that adversity faced (or not) should factor into our assessment of a politician’s ability or actions. Regardless, the burden of proof is on the accuser, and linking to one blog by a perennial municipal candidate also-ran is pretty thin gruel in that regard.

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    Your link in # 59 is, oddly enough, broken.

    That was the point. Go read 59 again, looks like it didn’t register the first time. There is no link to the story because it doesn’t exist as a post that a blogger or reporter in mainstream media has covered yet.

    I will take all this under consideration when ThinkOutsideABox and George make assertions in the future. And I will hold you to the standards you’ve set for yourselves.

    I’m not forcing you to believe anything and I couldn’t care less.

    It’s not like people connected to the Wilderness Committee are on another continent encumbered by a non-disclosure agreement. Easy enough to find out by knowing the people involved.

    Some people are actually connected and do things Sparticus, others can only chatter about what they google about it. But I won’t bust your back over that.

  • spartikus

    Some people are actually connected and do things Sparticus

    While others feign connections to give axe-grinding, rumour-mongering and mud-slinging “gravitas”.

    Next time demand to see Reimer’s birth certificate.

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    While others feign connections to give axe-grinding, rumour-mongering and mud-slinging “gravitas”.

    …said the anonymous blogger to the anonymous blogger.

  • spartikus

    I’m not the one claiming insider knowledge.

    It’s not something I would ever do under a pseudonym, as I have mentioned in the past.

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    The sanctimony, it hurts.

  • Chris Keam

    Yes, I agree. I find the ‘take my anonymous rumour-mongering as equal to anonymously discussing issues using verifiable sources’ equivalency painful as well.

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    I don’t see where anyone said that Chris. As a writer, I’m surprised that it doesn’t pique your curiosity. Like I said, the Wilderness Committee, not that far away.

  • Chris Keam

    “As a writer, I’m surprised that it doesn’t pique your curiosity.”

    FWIW, the only thing I’ve ever heard regarding Reimer and WCWC was from a former co-worker at the organization who gave her high marks.

  • spartikus

    Like I said, the Wilderness Committee, not that far away.

    Hmm…how would one approach this?

    To: Wilderness Committee

    To Whom It May Concern,

    I am writing to you today to inquire about an anonymous comment left on the internet about Andrea Reimer. This individual makes the troubling claim Ms Reimer engaged in psychological warfare by timing bathroom breaks. Could you please comment forthwith as I am sure you will agree the outcome of the next civic election may depend on your answer. As well, this same individual states that Ms Reimer seized power from former WC co-founder, and her mentor to boot, Paul George by the diabolical tactic of making him write a book about his life’s work. I would like to direct your attention to the following passages on pg. 433 of said book “Big Trees, Not Big Stumps” [ISBN 1895123038]:

    “When the time rolled around for me to return to the Wilderness Committee in September 2002, I realized the WCWC was doing quite well without me! Andrea Reimer had taken on the job of Executive Director. She was doing an excellent job, excelling at it as she had in fundraising and writing the grant proposals after Adriane [Carr] left…”

    And…

    “Everything seemed to be running smoothly. Sooner or later I’d have to leave anyway, so I figured now was as good a time as any to take the leap. I liked not having to commute to Vancouver…[a]nd I especially liked working with Adriane again, helping out as a volunteer for the Green Party.”

    As you have surely guessed by now, these seemingly warm words were clearly written under duress. Likely when Mr. George was on the john with Reimer holding a stopwatch outside counting the seconds. Who wouldn’t break under such circumstances.

    I look forward to your prompt attention in this matter.

    Best regards,

    spartikus

    Zzzzzz…..

  • ThinkOutsideABox

    Hmm…how would one approach this?

    How does any reporter approach the inside track? Frances’ article in her post following this one about Christy Clark is full of “hearsay” from unidentified insiders, yet we seem to be missing your outcry.

    You’ve made far too many assumptions to make a sanctimonious point that means little to even fewer gordo.

    As you have surely guessed by now, these seemingly warm words were clearly written under duress.

    Got a link to that?

    Zzzzz back at you.

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