Coun. Judy Villeneuve says she can "understand and appreciate" the opinions of those who think Surrey hosted a war criminal

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Amnesty International called for the arrest of George W. Bush in Surrey. And a candidate for city council, Gary Robinson, recently told the Georgia Straight that everywhere he goes, people are outraged over the former president visiting his city.

      That didn't stop veteran Surrey councillor Judy Villeneuve from attending the Surrey Regional Economic Summit to listen to what Bush and another former president, Bill Clinton, had to say.

      Villeneuve told the Straight that she can "understand and appreciate" the opinions of those who accused the City of Surrey of hosting a war criminal.

      She quickly added that she values freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

      "I think it's really good that we learn to be thinking individuals and we're able to sort right from wrong," Villeneuve said. "I think many of us have some feelings about some of the participants today, but I'm willing to listen. But I'm also willing to make sure that I'm broad-minded enough to make a judgement that's going to be in the best interests of my, hopefully, future decisions on council."


      Coun. Judy Villeneuve explains why she was willing to listen to George W. Bush.

      One man who had no interest in hearing Bush was Darren Pearson, an organizer with the Vancouver 9/11 Truth Society.

      "He wouldn't be here if he wasn't given assurances that he wouldn't be arrested," Pearson said as he stood with a protest sign on the sidewalk outside the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. "He wouldn't come across the border unless he was given those assurances."


      Darren Pearson comments on George Bush's visit to Surrey.

      Pearson was the only man arrested during a protest against a recent Vancouver visit by former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney.

      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      nachum

      Oct 20, 2011 at 11:36pm

      Villeneuve is, sadly, naive to think she is going to make better decisions for Surrey if she hears two former US. Presidents speak. I might still vote for her, but that is not saying too much for the quality of the other candidates running.

      2 1Rating: +1

      glass house

      Oct 21, 2011 at 1:45am

      Villeneuve is unquestionably the best public servant that Surrey has ever had.

      However refugees of unjust wars ought to know better.

      3 1Rating: +2

      Etvlan

      Oct 21, 2011 at 4:23am

      Of course Judy Villeneuve understand and appreciate opinions of others but she obviously does not care at all and does as she wants, like 99% of politicians.
      Just for that I would never vote for her.

      2 4Rating: -2

      Susan thompson

      Oct 22, 2011 at 12:08pm

      Ivoted for her last time, but NOT Any More, She too is a Judy Bush

      2 3Rating: -1