Elena Murgoci: Return to integrity

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      I have lived in different areas of Vancouver since 1988, including Mount Pleasant, Kerrisdale, East Vancouver, and now Langara. I have come to realize that this present municipal government of Vision truly does not care about the residents of Vancouver.

      Through my extensive experience in the private and nonprofit sectors, I have promoted this city on the international market working for a major hotel chain, managing a major nonprofit, and sitting on a number of local boards. I have been successful in securing major conventions as well as corporate business to Vancouver. I have an intimate understanding of how business and nonprofits operate, as well as how they intersect. I have also worked collaboratively with all levels of government and local communities.

      It has become very clear that the main problem over the past decade is that the municipal government has refused to listen to the residents. Planning in this city has been poorly advanced, mostly because decisions have been made with little or no meaningful consultation. This has greatly aggravated community frustration. Instead of addressing concerns in an inclusive way, Vision politicians send their staff to cover up their true motives or break the opposition.

      The city is facing an unprecedented number of lawsuits from many citizen groups concerning a broad range of issues. These include numerous developments that have ignored neighbourhood input, and have changed the faces of neighbourhoods forever. It is clear that the civic government has refused to listen to the residents. Under the current administration, a travesty has occurred in the planning of this city, particularly along the Cambie corridor. Dramatic zoning changes have been put in place without transparency and without regard to our heritage.

      In 2013, Vancouver saw its greatest annual increase in housing developments since 1969. Since 2010, Vision and Gregor Robertson have sold off one of Vancouver’s fire boats, removed two fire trucks from service, and cut back the city’s fire prevention division. They also ignored a 2010 Vancouver Fire Fighters report that recommended 20 more firefighters be hired to meet demand. This is a safety and security risk. In early October of this year, firefighters were called out to a four-alarm fire at Granville and West 49th. Due to the size of the fire, firefighters were needed from all fire stations in Vancouver. This left some fire halls without anyone to address other emergency calls, leaving residents unnecessarily vulnerable.

      Since coming to power in 2008, Vision has increased the city’s communications department staff from four to over 30 people. There are less gardeners in the greater Vancouver area to manage our over 200 parks and gardens in the city!

      As a Vancouver 1st councillor, I will sit down with all groups without any preconditions. I will dialogue directly with residents and not hide behind staff. Satisfactory agreements can be worked out in an atmosphere of integrity and openness. The arrogance of Vision has to be addressed and stopped. Many of our city’s main corridors are becoming unrecognizable. Many of our community centres are fighting to retain some control of their operations to ensure local residents benefit. City hall should stand up for residents, not against them. We need accountability, collaboration, and transparency back in city government. Please support me with your vote on November 15 and I will bring integrity and common sense to city council.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      b

      Nov 3, 2014 at 12:34pm

      accountability, collaboration, transparency, integrity, common sense, blah blah blah blah all the same shit. Please Elena, do yourself a favor and learn more unique political buzzwords. Is there any politician that can understand this? lol We know all you guys do is lie, but candidates need to do a better job of actually making intentions seem genuine and plausible lol #politicsisuseless

      James Blatchford

      Nov 4, 2014 at 5:39pm

      Yikes!!

      K

      Nov 7, 2014 at 5:39am

      I support Elena and the passion she has for making changes in the community. She is not a seasoned politician and i like that too. She is one of us trying to make a difference.