Vision Vancouver's PNE vote reflects party’s priorities
I was disgusted but not surprised by city council’s recent approval of the Hastings Park master plan [“Hastings Park fight far from finish line”, December 16-23]. What did surprise me was the lack of interest by the press, and therefore the public, in the turnover of the second-largest piece of parkland in the city to commercial interests beyond the reach of our elected park board. There has been more ink spilled waxing lyrical over the mini doughnuts at the fair than about the PNE itself.
I attended one night of the council meetings on the subject. All of the speakers spoke against it except the business agent for CUPE—and his support was hardly enthusiastic. Our mayor sat blank-faced through the meeting, with Coun. Raymond Louie, chairman of the board of the PNE, at his side.
The blatant conflict of interest that would have made the government of a banana republic blush was found acceptable by Mayor Robertson and his Vision Vancouver colleagues. Speaker after speaker pleaded for the governance of the park to be turned over to the publicly accountable park board. Instead, the governance has been given to the PNE board, whose meetings are not open to the public.
The beautiful parks created in the past on the West Side have become anchors for those communities and the pride of the city. In giving the last remaining park space on the East Side over to commercial interests, Vision Vancouver’s vision of 21st-century Vancouver is classist and unenlightened.
> Gordon Hughes / Vancouver
Comments
5 Comments
Mary C.
Dec 23, 2010 at 9:53am
The typical 'PC' Vancouverite loves to complain about anything 'Corporate'. In reality, it is the Corporate stuff that keeps the wheels of the city moving. If they all up and left, the damage to our economy would be even worse than what we have seen under Gregor Robertson's disastrous time in office.
The PNE is about thirty years overdue for a massive facelift. If corporate activity will re-ignite this place, Great!
Nelson100
Dec 23, 2010 at 11:40am
Considering that Vision Vancouver is in power no one should be surprised that the decision was already made along time ago behind closed doors. Vision never change their mind after listening to the public and have absolutely no interest in public input. Democracy is not a concept these people understand, they may need to learn the hard way next November.
tracy foster
Dec 26, 2010 at 8:10pm
So I am going to assume that 'Mary C.' lives somewhere in the city with access to green space and a park that is not expected to sustain itself financially. A park perhaps that is funded by city tax dollars. Perhaps a park with actual parking. Perhaps a park that does not host 27,000 drinking football fans throughout the summer that circle around her house to find parking. Perhaps she lives near one of the other parks originally deeded to the city as 'parkland' (as Hastings Park was). Does this city really need another industrial park instead of a green one? Seriously.
Brad Bernley
Dec 28, 2010 at 5:26pm
Tracy,
There are friggin parks EVERYWHERE in this city. So you have to drive a few more blocks to get to one. You sound like you represent that ever-present element of spoiled Vancouver City Dwellers.
Vladimir Vuki?evi?
Dec 29, 2010 at 4:03pm
Brad - thanks for speaking up on behalf of Vision Vancouver. Your tone says it all. Anyone who dares publically disagree with the latest moronic Vision decision is: spoiled, NIMBY, right wing etc etc take your pick.