NPA Vancouver

Sam Sullivan: On hearing of the death of Tom Campbell

2012-02-08T06:42:17Z

Environmental concerns lead many to believe that the ideal city should have a very high density core with pockets of high density throughout the surrounding suburbs. I discovered that this ideal was exactly the city we were achieving many years ago.

In the 1960s the neighborhood of single detached houses in the West End made way for over 200 residential towers. In pockets around the city like Kerrisdale, Kitsilano, near UBC, residential towers arose providing housing for seniors and young people, dramatically improving neighborhood environmental performance, increasing social diversity and keeping the price of housing in check. I was awestruck that any city government could have achieved this.

I came to understand that it was under the government of Tom Campbell that most of this was achieved. Strange. The writers of Vancouver history have always told a less than flattering story of him. As much as I searched I couldn't find anything in the "official canon" that said much positive about this period. His was an era of political insensitivity and avarice and its end ushered in the "livable city".

But the more I looked certain myths of the past seemed to dissolve. The election that replaced him is portrayed as about whether or not to build a freeway through the city. I have looked through the newspaper articles from that campaign and have found no mention of a freeway. The great freeway debates happened in the 1960s and the idea had been dead for some time.

What I did read was a lot about the West End and other developments. Most of the political parties opposed additional density in the West End and thought it was a terrible mistake in the first place. There was a big push from landowning residents to stop other people from finding housing in new developments like the Arbutus Mall. With the benefit of time we now understand that the end of the Tom Campbell era brought us rampant sprawl and community-destroying high house prices.

I became convinced I needed to talk with Tom Campbell. Several knowledgeable people believed he had passed away years earlier. My friend Chuck Davis insisted he was still with us but had given virtually no interviews since he left office.

I was in the Vancouver Archives building which was constructed under his watch reading Minutes from his Council meetings when I decided to wander into the green residential tower on the south side of the Burrard Bridge. I knew that Tom Campbell had built this building and that it currently provides one of the few affordable residences in that neighborhood. The people in the building had not heard of him but I got a contact for the management company. Eventually I talked to his son who told me his father was doing very well but didn't do interviews. I left him my cell number.

Several weeks later I got a call from Tom Campbell himself. He was very clear to me that he didn't want anything written about him. He said that when he was the Mayor it was his job to be in the media and like everything else he did in life, he did it with gusto. There was now no reason for him to be quoted. We had a wide ranging conversation about city government in the 1960s and how things used to be done. We spoke about the two efforts by professional planners to stop the West End which would have exacerbated sprawl. I told him that I believed that in terms of land use he had been leading the city in the right direction and that I hoped history would recognize him properly. He was clearly not interested in what historians thought.

Tom Campbell would probably agree with Henry Ford's comment that "history is bunk". I wondered if in some profound way he was right. There is no doubt that what came after him like the emphasis on the public realm and more voices in political decisions was positive and wonderful. And for those who bought homes early enough the "livable city" was a great achievement. For everyone else and for the local and global environment the outcome is less clear.

Our conversation ended too quickly. I had wanted to ask him about who was behind the freeway initiative, him or his Director of Planning Gerald Sutton Brown. In cities throughout North America it was professional planners who led the effort to build them. It seemed unlikely that such a government project would be his idea.

Tom Campbell's city was one where the free market mattered and the signals of the price system were taken seriously. The exuberant and chaotic free market was expressed in the loud and boisterous neon signs that were cleansed shortly after him. Affordable housing was not achieved by creating "special" buildings with taxpayer money in a certain neighborhood for specific people but by allowing the forces of supply and demand and the inventiveness of design professionals to provide affordability through abundance. And as in every other industry that has delivered us unparalleled prosperity, it wasn't a bad thing if someone made money doing it.

Perhaps I have a soft spot for an outsider from the Eastside who led a Westside-based party. Perhaps an admiration for a politician who genuinely couldn't give a whit about what the chattering class thought about him. How refreshing when held up against a whole industry of hand-wringers whose sense of self-worth is dependent on the article written that morning. Here was a man who had opinions and was not afraid of expressing them.

They don't make them like that anymore. The city is a better place because of him.

(From Global Civic Policy Society)

NPA CAUCUS HONOURS FORMER MAYOR TOM CAMPBELL

2012-02-08T06:30:52Z

Mayor Tom Campbell led an exciting era with the development of important cultural institutions in Vancouver. He was responsible for major initiatives such as the Bloedell Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park, the creation of Vanier Park, and the Centennial Museum and the MacMillan Planetarium in the park. The completion of these projects changed the face of Vancouver.

NPA Caucus Chair Elizabeth Ball said "Mayor Tom Campbell's cultural legacy is unquestioned. Hundreds of thousands of young people have benefited from his far-seeing decisions."

He encouraged development of Two Bentall Centre, and the Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver. Campbell's careful negotiations regarding the Centre resulted in an ongoing source of income for the City. Wisely, in 1969, he spearheaded the first acquisition of the south shore of False Creek.

He loved to welcome school children to City Hall and was delighted to personally conduct a lively tour. He encouraged children to attend museums and enjoy Vancouver's parks.

Tom Campbell was born in Vancouver. He joined City Council as an alderman in 1961. He was elected Mayor in1966 and went on to serve three terms, two with the NPA. He returned to the practice of law in1972.

The NPA Caucus extends sincere condolences to Tom Campbell's family and friends on his death at 84. We remember his pioneering spirit and fierce commitment to Vancouver. We celebrate Tom Campbell for his dedication to building our great city.

A Merry Christmas and an Invitation

2011-12-23T08:45:55Z

I am writing to thank all of our NPA volunteers, candidates, donors, members, campaign committee members, directors, supporters and others who worked so hard on the NPA's 2011 election campaign, and to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Electing seven NPA candidates, raising millions of dollars and increasing the NPA vote were huge successes of which you should be proud. These successes have ensured the continued survival of the NPA and will form the basis for even greater success in 2014.

To celebrate I am inviting you to attend a campaign volunteer "thank you" party at the Bloedel Conservatory (off 33rd Avenue, between Cambie & Main) on Thursday, February 2nd, starting at 5:30 pm. We wish to acknowledge the contributions of the hundreds of people who worked so hard on the NPA's 2011 election campaign, and to celebrate the successes we enjoyed.

Kindly RSVP to ed@npavancouver.ca with your name.

Thank you again for your hard work and dedication to the NPA.

--John

John Moonen, President

Vancouver's Civic Non-Partisan Association

Election Recap and Next Steps

2011-11-30T08:15:24Z

Election Recap and Next Steps: A message from NPA President John Moonen and 2011 NPA Campaign Chair PeterArmstrong

Vancouver, Sunday, November 25, 2011

One week ago, 77,000 Vancouver voters elected Gregor Robertson to run City Hall for the next three years. On behalf of the NPA, we would like to congratulate Mayor Robertson and all the elected candidates who will serve Vancouver in the years ahead.

Over the past week, our NPA Team has been assessing the election results and looking forward.

Vancouver voters can be assured that the NPA is ready to fulfill the role you have asked us to take in municipal affairs over the next three years. Our newly elected and expanded Caucus will be a constructive and professional team that will work to serve the many communities in our city and present an effective alternative to Vision Vancouver.

Last Saturday, more than 58,000 Vancouverites responded to Suzanne Anton and the NPA's call for a common sense, taxpayers' first agenda. And while we came up short against the Vision election-day machine, Suzanne increased the NPA's result by close to 10,000 votes compared to the last election in 2008.

In addition to expanding the NPA voter base, her leadership and tireless campaigning also helped the NPA come close to doubling the size of our Caucus. With our increased strength at City Council, Park and School Board, the NPA will be in a better position to hold Vision Vancouver more accountable for the decisions they make about how your tax dollars are spent at all levels of the civic administration.

And, with the resounding defeat of Vancouver's other long-standing civic party (Coalition of Progressive Electors), it is now more important than ever that the NPA rise to the challenge of ensuring Gregor Robertson and Vision Vancouver do not abuse the trust voters have placed in them.

With the NPA candidates that voters elected on Saturday and Suzanne Anton's ongoing mentorship, I know we are up to the task.

Our new and expanded NPA team features a great mix of business experience and community service.

At City Hall, Elizabeth Ball is an experienced City Councillor with a strong track record of promoting open government and a non-partisan civil service. She will also be a tireless advocate for arts, culture and tourism.

George Affleck will bring the much-needed perspective of a successful small-business owner to the new City Council. He will be an accessible voice for neighbourhoods and will work to reduce the red-tape burden at City Hall that has been choking the pace of housing supply and job creation in Vancouver over the past three years.

At the Park Board, the NPA elected two tireless advocates for an independent Board. John Coupar is a community leader that helped save the Bloedel Conservatory and Melissa de Genova will bring the concerns of young families to the table, along with a strong track record of neighbourhood activism for seniors and youth.

And at the School Board, Vancouver voters have chosen three very experienced and thoughtful NPA trustees in Ken Denike, Sophia Woo and Fraser Ballantyne. Together, they will ensure that integrity and common sense are governing vital decisions that affect Vancouver families instead of politics and personal ambition.

Last Saturday night, Suzanne Anton received more votes than any NPA Mayoral candidate in the history of our city except for Sam Sullivan in 2005. Under Anton's leadership, the NPA is much stronger now than it was six months ago when Suzanne decided to run for Mayor against insurmountable odds and a Vision Vancouver team that had a two and a half year head start.

The NPA owes it to our next Mayoral candidate to ensure he or she does not start from that far behind again in 2014.

The NPA - and all Vancouverites - also owe Anton a debt of gratitude for her years of service and leading a campaign that ensures the NPA remains as a strong voice for many more years to come on behalf of taxpayers that value fiscal responsibility, sustainable development, world-class recreation facilities and social and economic prosperity for all.

Vancouver City Councillor Suzanne Anton extends her condolences to the family and friends of Jack Layton

2011-08-22T19:20:40Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2011

Vancouver City Councillor Suzanne Anton extends her condolences to the family and friends of Jack Layton

Suzanne Anton today expressed her sadness at the passing of Jack Layton.

"I want to offer my sympathy to Jack Layton's wife and family," said Anton "The passing of Jack Layton is a terrible loss to them and to all Canadians."

"Jack devoted much of his life to advancing municipal politics. He understood the needs of municipal government. As a former municipal councillor and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, he put Canadian cities on the national agenda."

"Jack was one of those leaders who connected with people, who gave so much of himself to improving our cities and our country. He will be missed."

"My thoughts and prayers are with Jack's family, friends and colleagues at this most difficult time."

Anton Submission to Provincial Vancouver Riot Inquiry Includes Recommendations to Help Prevent Riot Next Year

2011-08-19T17:11:55Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2011

Anton Submission to Provincial Vancouver Riot Inquiry Includes Recommendations to Help Prevent Riot Next Year

Vancouver City Councillor and NPA candidate for mayor Suzanne Anton has submitted a letter with recommendations to the Provincial Riot Review Commission.

Some of the recommendations contained in the submission:

Allow for the use of downtown closed circuit surveillance cameras for the Stanley Cup finals and other major events.

All plans for city-led Stanley Cup Playoff celebrations must be debated and approved at City Council before being implemented.

The Mayor should lead daily briefings in advance and during the Stanley Cup Finals for the public and the media. In addition to providing important public safety information, the briefings will be an opportunity to answer questions, highlight celebrations throughout the region and reassure the public that the mistakes of the past are not going to be repeated.

Engage regional colleagues and the provincial government in establishing a more comprehensive coordinated regional police unit focused on security planning for large special events

The orginal letter can be found by clicking here

NPA Campaign Welcomes Two Park Board Candidates

2011-08-18T17:10:58Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2011

NPA Campaign Welcomes Two Park Board Candidates

NPA Mayoral Candidate Suzanne Anton and the rest of the NPA team are welcoming two additional candidates to the NPA campaign: Gabby Kalaw and Jason Upton. Both are candidates for the Vancouver Park Board.

Gabby Kalaw, a first generation Filipino-Canadian, has spent most of his life dedicated to community and recreation. In university, he volunteered and worked in a variety of roles with the City of Richmond Parks and Recreation. After university, he worked on development in Ghana and, while there, raised money to provide soccer balls to over 300 kids. Kalaw is a Business Development Manager for a local software firm. On his off time, he can be found training for the Vancouver Sun Run on the seawall, paddling in False Creek with one of the Dragon Boat teams or playing basketball or volleyball at one of the local Community Centres.

"I am excited to be joining the NPA team and look forward to channeling my experience into smart, resourceful management of the Vancouver Park Board," said Kalaw. "We need to build an independent, accessible and enjoyable park system that everyone can be happy with."

Jason Upton is a lifetime resident of Vancouver and has worked in the Real Estate industry for over 18 years. His small business successfully weathered the 2008/09 economic crisis and he wants to bring this prudent financial management to the Park Board. The mismanagement of the Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park petting zoo highlighted the need for people who were passionate about preserving Vancouver's park system.

"Vision Vancouver has presided over the largest cuts in the Park Board's history," says Upton. "It's time for change. The Park Board needs passionate, creative people so citizens and visitors can continue to enjoy our parks for generations to come."

The NPA Board of Directors recently approved both candidates.

NPA School Board Trustee Candidates Concerned With Need to Provide Personal Information

2011-08-17T15:41:50Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2011

NPA School Board Trustee Candidates Concerned With Need to Provide Personal Information

NPA School Board Trustee Ken Denike and Mental Health Clinician and NPA School Board candidate Sophia Woo are expressing concern with Police procedures when people report an incident to police.

Denike says school staff are regularly required to report incidents to the police and that those people are recorded as having a 'police encounter'. These 'police encounters' may show up whenever a potential employer does a police check.

"Why do police need your birth date when you report an incident?" ask Denike. "What purpose is served by requesting this personal information? It is an infringement of privacy." Denike also says staff are concerned that if they decline to provide personal information they will we be considered uncooperative.

Trustee Candidate Woo adds: "In extreme cases, public safety is being reduced because people may be reluctant to report an incident or call in to provide information because they fear they will be on a police report attached to the incident."

Mental health workers are often required to call police to escort patients. These workers are asked to provide personal information which may show up in reports. Some workers may not be aware that police staff have some discretion in getting birthdates.

Another reason for reviewing policy is that non-violent mental health related interactions show up in police record checks. These include police transport to health facilities/hospitals. This information on an individual's record is misleading and leaves a black mark on an individual's record. Potential employers seeing this are negatively influenced when considering the individual for employment. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police issued new guidelines limiting the information on the mentally ill going into reports.

Denike and Woo are urging Mayor Gregor Robertson to use his position of Chair of the Police Board and Chief of Police Jim Chu to review the policy requiring birth dates.

-30-

Ken Denike, Sophia Woo and other concerned citizens will be available to media at the Kerkis Greek Taverna at 3605 West 4 Ave at 12:30 pm Wednesday August 17th 2011.

Ken Denike, current School Board Trustee and Professor Emeritus at UBC.

Sophia Woo, Mental Health Clinician and Community Leader.

Anton Letter to BC Riot Review - Recommedations to Prevent Repeat in 2012

2011-08-15T18:48:51Z

August 9, 2011

Vancouver Riot Review
Attn: Mr. John Furlong and Mr. Douglas Keefe
PO Box 18509
Vancouver, BC V6Z 0B3

VIA EMAIL: yourcomments.riotreview@gov.bc.ca

Dear Mr. Furlong and Mr. Keefe:

RE:June 2011 Stanley Cup Riot

Dear Commissioners;

Please accept my submission to your inquiry as a Councillor from the City of Vancouver.

Prior to entering municipal government via the Vancouver Park Board in 2002 and Vancouver City Council in 2005, I served as a Crown Prosecutor in Vancouver and understand the significant importance and complexity of the task you have accepted.

Recognizing that an active police investigation is ongoing into the June 15, 2011 Stanley Cup riot in downtown Vancouver and the fact that criminal proceedings are likely, my submission is focused specifically on the unique role City Council and the Vancouver Police Board can play in preventing another riot. It also reflects the views and questions of thousands of Vancouver residents who have contacted me over the past two months.

The riots traumatized trapped employees, caused extensive property damage and gave Vancouver an international black eye. The outstanding reputation which was our legacy of the Olympics was tarnished.

In preparing this note, I vividly recall the fear and trauma in the face of a store staff member who told me her experience of being trapped in the back of her store for hours. She and her colleagues were in terror and had no idea if they would get out alive.

If I had not gone downtown that night to see it for myself, I don't think I ever could have believed that this was Vancouver.

There are two common themes in the messages I have received from local business and residents since Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. The first is: Everybody has questions.

It is my sincere hope that your report will help us answer a few of them, including:

How did the riot happen at all? It was a Canucks game; but the fan zones were run by the city.
Who was in charge?
Why did the city seem to miss the lessons of 1994? The council of the day set out a detailed road map of how to prevent future riots. Was that report considered?
Was there an effort to ratchet down police costs on the eve of the finals? Was the VPD constrained by its budget?
How many police were deployed? How many came in from other departments?
Did the bars/ restaurants open early and over-sell? How did we have so many people drunk so early in the day in downtown Vancouver? Were the liquor inspectors fully deployed that day?
People poured into the city by Skytrain - what coordination was there with Skytrain police?

The second common theme I hear is from the people that have approached me in the last two months is: Regardless of who was responsible for what - how do we prevent a riot from happening again? Do local authorities have the ability to plan for the large events?

One of many great legacies of the Olympics was that incredible sense that Downtown Vancouver is a place where we can all celebrate. But on June 15, we lost that sense of confidence. How do we get that back again? The Olympics are a once in a lifetime event for a city. But for Vancouver - and the Canucks - the Stanley Cup could become a regular occurrence. In fact, it is very likely that in a very short nine months from now, Vancouver will be hosting Game One of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

What will be different?

Here are some suggestions for preventing future riots:

All plans for city-led Stanley Cup Playoff celebrations must be debated and approved by City Council before being implemented.
The Mayor - and Chair of the Police Board - must have overall responsibility and accountability.
The Mayor should lead daily briefings in advance and during the Stanley Cup Finals for the public and the media. In addition to providing important public safety information, the briefings will be an opportunity to answer questions, highlight celebrations throughout the region and reassure the public that the mistakes of the past are not going to be repeated.
Clarify procedures to allow for the use of downtown closed circuit surveillance cameras for the Stanley Cup finals and other major events.
Recommend protocols for controlling alcohol in downtown Vancouver when needed. This was very effective during the Olympics. If necessary recommend bylaw or liquor control regulatory changes.
Engage regional colleagues and the provincial government in establishing a more comprehensive coordinated regional police unit focused on security planning for large special events based on similar initiatives developed for the Olympics and for anti-gang units.
Encourage the Vancouver Canucks organization and the provincial government to provide assistance during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The financial windfall is significant during the playoffs - but not to the city. The Police Board, its individual members, the Mayor, and City Councillors can be very effective in supporting this advocacy.
Reject a regional "us versus them" approach. Vancouver is everyone's downtown. We are the regional centre, and people must be able to come downtown and be safe.

The women and men of the VPD provided superb service to the city the night of the riot. I had the opportunity to speak to many of them that night and also over the past month, to convey the good wishes that I have heard from so many in Vancouver. I hope and expect your report will properly recognize this service.

VPD Chief Jim Chu and his team had an almost insurmountable challenge to meet on June 15th. His 1300 member force was asked to manage a difficult crowd of 150,000.

The businesses who suffered significant losses and the traumatized employees will not quickly forget that night either.

May your deliberations ensure that it does not happen again.

Thank you for the time and effort you are putting into your investigation and report.

Yours truly,

Suzanne Anton
Councillor, City of Vancouver

Anton to Include Prosperity Agenda in Fall Platform: Economic Focus on Job Creation and Tax Relief

2011-08-11T20:05:13Z

NPA mayoral candidate Suzanne Anton today announced her fall election platform will include a "Prosperity Agenda" focused on job creation and tax relief. Anton and NPA candidates will be participating in one-on-one meetings and roundtable sessions with Vancouver business leaders and working families in the coming weeks to gather feedback and policy ideas for the Prosperity Agenda.

"With ongoing global uncertainty in financial markets, it is more important than ever to make sure all levels of government are developing and implementing effective economic development strategies," says Anton. "Gregor Robertson and Vision Vancouver unveiled an economic vision for the city last month that amounted to no more than an un-costed housing plan and a 162-page green-washing manifesto focused on making Vancouver the urban farming capital of North America. Both will result in increased taxes and millions in hidden costs for years to come."

NPA Council Candidate Francis Wong agrees, "Instead of Gregor Robertson's systematic social change and Big Brother act, we will focus on common sense, tax relief and an accountable municipal government that listens to neighbourhoods and job creators."

Anton says, "I intend to focus on the industries which create real jobs, head offices, supply lines and a demand for professional services. Green jobs are important, but under even the most generous definition of 'green economy', they represent less than three per cent of Vancouver's economy."
"My focus is on good quality jobs", adds Anton, "Not jobs paid for by the taxpayer."

Wong concludes, "If we are going to attract job-creating investments, we can't be a passive partner. Suzanne Anton and the NPA Team are prepared to step up and create an economic climate in Vancouver that delivers prosperity for all citizens."

The economic consultations match a similar outreach initiative with neighbourhood organizations launched by the NPA last month and will be a critical part of the NPA platform development in preparation for the 19 November civic election.