The article "Is There Hope for COPE?" described the Stop the Slots in Hastings Park Committee as a "grassroots citizens' group". But the comments from their cofounder, Jim Hamm, clearly demonstrate that his real agenda has nothing to do with Hastings Park or the people who live in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Instead he offers general slurs and unsupported accusations about the role of the labour movement and the NDP.

If this is about Hamm promoting the desperate attempts of the COPE Classic faction to cling to power within COPE, then so be it. But he should not pretend to represent our community. Indeed, many of our East Van neighbours think that helping to create jobs is exactly what we want our elected representatives to do. He seems to have little respect for such practical issues. People in Hastings-Sunrise can spot a political opportunist a mile away, and I'm sure I am not the only one who thinks Hamm might be trying to build a political career of his own.

James Fletcher
Vancouver