Mayor Sam Sullivan's media spokesperson quits

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan's director of community relations, Anna Lilly, has announced her resignation in a widely-distributed e-mail (see below).

Lilly is a former NPA communications chair and is a former reporter at Business in Vancouver (when NPA Coun. Peter Ladner was the publisher).

Lilly stated that she has decided to take a new job in the private sector, which will provide more balance in her life.

During Lilly's 13-month tenure as the mayor's media spokesperson, Sullivan found himself embroiled in several difficult situations.

Filmmaker Joe Moulins produced a documentary, Citizen Sam, which revealed Sullivan's ruthless desire to crush his opponent Jim Green in the last election.

Sullivan also used his mayor's discretionary fund to hire a former NPA president, Dale McClanaghan, and well-known spin doctor Norman Stowe of the Pace Group to pull together and market his Project Civil City, which aims to reduce homelessness and ramp up enforcement of city bylaws.

The Straight gave Sullivan a "D" in its November "city-hall report card", which was released a year after he won the 2005 election.

Most recently, Sullivan hired Conservative strategist George Higgins as an advisor, but the mayor wouldn't reveal who was paying Higgins's salary apart from saying it wasn't coming from taxpayers.

Lilly has not returned a call from the Straight yet to offer more details on her departure. Here is her e-mail message.

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that I have resigned as Director of Community Relations to Mayor Sam Sullivan.

While the past 13 months have been exciting, challenging and rewarding, I have decided to take on a new opportunity in the private sector that will enable me to have more balance in my life.

Working with Mayor Sullivan and the members of his caucus has been a wonderful experience and a privilege. I am very proud to have been part of the Mayor’s team over the past year, and I am grateful for his support and understanding about my decision.

No doubt many of you will be surprised to learn of my decision, as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Mayor’s office. But, those who know me well will also understand how much I miss the work I previously did in the community as a volunteer, and my desire to continue my own personal development through continuing education and creative pursuits.

As much as I will miss working with Mayor Sullivan, I feel that now is the right time for me to make this transition.

Due to my departure, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff will be seeking candidates for a new position in the Mayor’s Office – details will be posted in the coming days at www.mayorsamsullivan.ca.

You can continue to reach me in the Mayor’s Office until February 23rd, and I will be sure to forward my new contact details soon. Thanks, Anna