Planting the Flag
The biannual fundraiser for Burnaby BC Liberals was last night. It featured Harry Bloy's BC flag, a diverse multicultural crowd that was representative of Burnaby, and government supporters as far as the eye could see. Burnaby's political right put on the show for sixth year Premier Gordon "Gord" Campbell.
TEAM Burnaby councillors, other BC Liberal MLAs, and Coquitlam First councillor and former MLA Richard Stewart were on hand for the Liberal love-in that was a lot more friendly than Jamie Graham's roast/Vancouver Police fundraiser earlier in the week.
The strong showing by Bloy, John Nuraney and Richard Lee suggests all is well for the governing party in Burnaby's three Liberal held ridings. Things may still be difficult in traditional NDP territory of Burnaby-Edmonds unless Raj Chouhan comes out on the wrong end of the simmering NDP feud. For now, only time will tell.
TEAM Burnaby councillors, other BC Liberal MLAs, and Coquitlam First councillor and former MLA Richard Stewart were on hand for the Liberal love-in that was a lot more friendly than Jamie Graham's roast/Vancouver Police fundraiser earlier in the week.
The strong showing by Bloy, John Nuraney and Richard Lee suggests all is well for the governing party in Burnaby's three Liberal held ridings. Things may still be difficult in traditional NDP territory of Burnaby-Edmonds unless Raj Chouhan comes out on the wrong end of the simmering NDP feud. For now, only time will tell.
posted by Robert Burnaby at 2:20 PM
23 Comments:
*yawn*
Same old stuff. Shilling for the Premier Gordon "The Gordomatic" Campbell.
Usual puffery from Bloy. Harry's "BC Flag" can be bought at any flag shop.
Don't get so smug. Richard Lee didn't win by very much last time and John doesn't have a huge support base either.
Wouldn't worry too much about Raj. he's okay.
Why are people so surprised to see former BCL members coming back to the party. With provincial districts now redrawn and new districts opening up, I will only expect to see more local politicians siding with the provincial government party that is widely speculated to win overwhelmingly another term in 2009. Shall Richard Stewart decide to take after Harry Bloy's Coquitlam constituents, he will not need to take another shot at Diana now the sitting MLA in the riding he presided over the previous term.
But I will have to say that the NDP should really take caution at the unity that BCL is exhibiting a year before the nomination meetings as they choose their own candidates to unseat NDP MLA’s. With the danger of being wiped out in suburban Vancouver and fierce internal conflicts to oust an SUV-operating premier in waiting, smart politicians will seize this chance and ride the wave to Victoria. Richard Stewart did that in 2001 already and do not be surprised he does it again in 2009.
However, it will be smart for Harry Bloy to pick his battle in Burnaby where Beat Hearly is likely to run again and that will effectively clinch 2009 for him. While James Moore’s endorsement will come naturally had he run on the other side of the boundary, but what is the point of making another enemy out of Dawn Black. So just look for Harry Bloy to play a more prominent role in bringing down Bill Siksay as he yields his Coquitlam constituents to Richard Stewart.
"Why are people so surprised to see former BCL members coming back to the party. "
Why would they be coming back? They never left.
"With provincial districts now redrawn and new districts opening up, I will only expect to see more local politicians siding with the provincial government party that is widely speculated to win overwhelmingly another term in 2009."
Possible, but too early to tell just yet. We're close to November 2007, not November 2008. But would expect the new riding (given to Harry Bloy) to go Liberal, Bby North could go NDP, Bby Willingdon remains Liberal Edmonds would stay as NDP as Raj is the incumbnet MLA and it's very difficult to unseat an incumbent. The BCL campaign in Edmonds was a disaster to say the least.
"Shall Richard Stewart decide to take after Harry Bloy's Coquitlam constituents, he will not need to take another shot at Diana now the sitting MLA in the riding he presided over the previous term."
Probably not, Richard can stand on his own if he chooses. But that new riding will be different from the existing one.
"But I will have to say that the NDP should really take caution at the unity that BCL is exhibiting a year before the nomination meetings as they choose their own candidates to unseat NDP MLA’s."
Unity or is it adhereing to a set of steps preplanned by HQ and their
messengers? I'd much rather see a robust nomination Meeting the kind where there is more than one strong candidate and they have to sock it out for the attention of the membership and their support. That really tests the candidates, especially the new ones.
A preplanned meeting with just one candidate is a waste of time.
"Richard Stewart did that in 2001 already and do not be surprised he does it again in 2009."
If he does, big deal. A yawner.
"However, it will be smart for Harry Bloy to pick his battle in Burnaby where Beat Hearly is likely to run again and that will effectively clinch 2009 for him."
Hopefully the NDP will find some farmore stronger that Heatly to run against Harry. Heatly is a weak candidate and that helped Harry win in 2005.
Harry needs some good strong competion to really test how good he thinks he is. A win by Harry of just over 12o votes would be good.
"While James Moore’s endorsement will come naturally had he run on the other side of the boundary, but what is the point of making another enemy out of Dawn Black."
She and the NDP in that federal riding don't like Harry as it is,
so no worries there.
"So just look for Harry Bloy to play a more prominent role in bringing down Bill Siksay as he yields his Coquitlam constituents to Richard Stewart."
Considering that Siskay doesn't care much about Harry, and the NDP will regain Bby Douglas, that doesn't matter.
Harry should stick to provincial politics and stay out of the federal. He wouldn't like it all if the scenario was reversed, ie the federal campaigners were getting into his goals at the provincial level.
The federal politicos can do just fine without Harry's so-called 'help".
"Harry should stick to provincial politics and stay out of the federal. He wouldn't like it all if the scenario was reversed, ie the federal campaigners were getting into his goals at the provincial level."
Is it Harry Bloy's fault that NDP cant find a guy considered "qualified" to run against him while he almost single-handedly brought down the Corrigan administration while none of BCA members on the council including the mayor himself can exhibit any strong campaign on him. The advantage of TB that Harry put together over BCA in the upcoming election next year should become mroe apparent as time progresses especially now that Harry will shift his focus solely onto Burnaby.
Some people optimistic like you like to claim that Burnaby North will be an NDP hold while skeptics simply know for sure another candidacy against Piedro will simply put Richard back to Victoria and Svend who expressed interest in running against Richard is now nowhere to be seen.
If Siksay really doesnt care much about Harry, then he should not stand in endorsing various NDP MLA's or councilors but we all know that it wont happen. True Siksay really has little influence over either level of government unlike his counterpart in the south, but shall he be unseated within 12 months, we can all safely say that it will certainly shake the confidence of Corrigan and his patrons in the city hall.
Is it Harry Bloy's fault that NDP cant find a guy considered "qualified" to run against him while he almost single-handedly brought down the Corrigan administration while none of BCA members on the council including the mayor himself can exhibit any strong campaign on him.
Harry did not almost single handedly bring down the Corrigan administration, unless you're admitting to what many are thinking. Team Burnaby is not really a civic group but is actually Team Bloy and nothing else.
Harry was lucky he has had weak NDP opposition. Would like to see
him face off against a real NDP candidate one that will send him hard into the boards a few times.
You're also forgetting one thing.
"there'sno 'i' in 'team'"
The almost credible campaign was a product of a few credible candidates, not all of them mind you, but a few good ones. One can suppose they don't count, especially the two additional ones that won, including one who placed second.
"The advantage of TB that Harry put together over BCA in the upcoming election next year should become mroe apparent as time progresses especially now that Harry will shift his focus solely onto Burnaby.
Harry should stay out of civic politics and stick with provincial.
"Some people optimistic like you like to claim that Burnaby North will be an NDP hold while skeptics simply know for sure another candidacy against Piedro will simply put Richard back to Victoria and Svend who expressed interest in running against Richard is now nowhere to be seen. "
Svend is in Paris, France enjoying his new role in an international socialist organization, he won't be coming back to Burnaby.
As for Burnaby North, don't be so comfy as Richard did not win by very much last time and in fact he actually lost votes over what he got in 2001, and for a politician, that's very dangerous territory to be in.
There are other NDP supporters out there that could run and would snack on Richard Lee.
"If Siksay really doesnt care much about Harry, then he should not stand in endorsing various NDP MLA's or councilors but we all know that it wont happen."
Siskay will endorse the NDP candidates as he has always done, with our without Harry.
"True Siksay really has little influence over either level of government unlike his counterpart in the south, but shall he be unseated within 12 months, we can all safely say that it will certainly shake the confidence of Corrigan and his patrons in the city hall."
True, but that doesn't mean an easy win for Team Bloy.
What it will mean the NDP will repower.
Unlike Team Burnaby, they are very organized and very determined. The NDP movement in Burnaby when it is strong and determined can be formidable.
One rule in politics, never underestimate your opposition.
While you are watching them, they are most certainly watching you.
They read this blog and know what might happen.
and keep in mind too, not everyone is onside with Harry Bloy. Quite a few people wish he would just stick to being an MLA and not get his nose into things such as federal, or civic politics where it doesn't belong.
Weak as in the NDP candidacy or organization? I would say that no one is overlooking the fact that NDP has always had a strong presence in the city thanks largely to NDP's long history of both governing and representing the city for such a long period of time. Had they been weak, then Harry would have stayed home last year after his re-election victory two years ago instead of coming back from his summer golf season to join another battle in 2005. And no one should take the credit away from Harry because his effort to bring the opposition team together and even scored victory by gaining on NDP on the council have granted the party legitimacy in becoming the official opposition party.
But in contrast Harry's "activism" in the municipal politics, is Richard Lee really doing himself any justice by staying away from political battles as much as possible? It is no secret that he does support TB in the municipal election, but one reason that his vote total did increase in 2005 was that he does not exhibit any willingness to take on NDP head on while Harry actually has senses enough danger to unite together a team and help each other out, no less like the NDP on the other side.
Are the NDP and the opposition watching each other closely? That is almost for certain but people like Bill Siksay, Peter Julian and other NDP representatives who never received majority support in the riding cant possibly expect to see smily faces everywhere can they?
With now election results so close to call, and for almost the first time in many years BCA victory is not guaranteed, the election battle will simply become more fierce. Is Burnaby really read for a change? It used to be before the Harry-time there was really no alternative to change. But with Harry providing a platform to pull political talents together so, more importantly, they can certainly look ready to govern in 2008, and there may just be enough disincentives for Richard to abandon his usual neutrality this time around.
"Weak as in the NDP candidacy or organization? I would say that no one is overlooking the fact that NDP has always had a strong presence in the city thanks largely to NDP's long history of both governing and representing the city for such a long period of time. "
Burquitlam had a weak candidate, in the name of Bart Heathly.
"Had they been weak, then Harry would have stayed home last year after his re-election victory two years ago instead of coming back from his summer golf season to join another battle in 2005."
Harry would have been back anyway.
"And no one should take the credit away from Harry because his effort to bring the opposition team together and even scored victory by gaining on NDP on the council have granted the party legitimacy in becoming the official opposition party."
At the civic level? There is no 'offical opposition party' at the civic level. Most of the deliberations are individual not based on party. Vancouver has two opposition parties, but they aren't considered 'official' in terms of equivalent to the Official
Opposition federally or provincially.
"But in contrast Harry's "activism" in the municipal politics, is Richard Lee really doing himself any justice by staying away from political battles as much as possible?"
he's focusing on provincial and being Parliamentary Secretary for Asia and the Pacific which is what he should be doing, not playing around trying influence civic politics.
"It is no secret that he does support TB in the municipal election, but one reason that his vote total did increase in 2005 was that he does not exhibit any willingness to take on NDP head on"
Much of that is in support by default, there's no other alternative to the BCA.
"while Harry actually has senses enough danger to unite together a team and help each other out, no less like the NDP on the other side."
Disagree. It's more of Harry wanting power and influence than anything else. Harry couldn't sense danger even if he was in a room with .5% Chlorine and ammonia mix in it.
"Are the NDP and the opposition watching each other closely? That is almost for certain but people like Bill Siksay, Peter Julian and other NDP representatives who never received majority support in the riding cant possibly expect to see smily faces everywhere can they?
Interesting. Both Julian and Siskay did in fact receive majority
support in the ridings, that's how they got elected.
"With now election results so close to call, and for almost the first time in many years BCA victory is not guaranteed, the election battle will simply become more fierce."
A win for Team Burnaby isn't guaranteed either.
"Is Burnaby really read for a change? It used to be before the Harry-time there was really no alternative to change."
Sure there was. Problem is that there wasn't anyone on the alternative to the BCA side that could win over Copeland and successors, because the voters didn't feel like there was a need for any change at the Mayor's Office.
"But with Harry providing a platform to pull political talents together"
More like just a platform to pull political talents approved by Harry than anything else. Harry doesn't have the monopoly on political talent.
"so, more importantly, they can certainly look ready to govern in 2008, and there may just be enough disincentives for Richard to abandon his usual neutrality this time around."
Richard will do what he wants, Richard doesn't need to get involved in the civic politics, in fact it's actually best for him to stay out because he, like the other MLA's - Harry included - will have to live with the outcome, and that outcome could possibly be another BCA majority council and BCA Mayor (not nessesarily Corrigan).
Just like all other common Burnaby citizens, e.g. Bill Siksay, if they cannot see the vision our mayor has for our city, then it is within their right to try to change that, and that my friend, is called democracy.
Who should stop Richard Lee from campaigning in the Chinese speaking community against BCA and who should stop Harry Bloy from recommending political talents to the nomination to make TB look read to govern. There is only a few city councilor that looks ready to govern on the BCA side and certainly is not getting younger.
So what happens if people decide to opt for change in the city hall. Then someone has got to provide a viable alternative, and it seems TB is on the right track and I do expect to see a much fresher slate of council candidates next election but not without experienced councilors as they provide assurance of a new vision for Burnaby.
Too bad for BCA councilors however, because shall they decide to run for re-election, they will effectively forfeit their chance at 2009 election. And some are even suggesting that our mayor may decide to move aside to challenge Richard Lee, and tell me that is not a sign of the change of power that is about to take place in Burnaby.
"Just like all other common Burnaby citizens, e.g. Bill Siksay, if they cannot see the vision our mayor has for our city, then it is within their right to try to change that, and that my friend, is called democracy. "
I doubt Bill Siskay is adamatly opposed to the vision that Corrigan has, whatever that might be.
"Who should stop Richard Lee from campaigning in the Chinese speaking community against BCA and who should stop Harry Bloy from recommending political talents to the nomination to make TB look read to govern."
As for Richard Lee, no one would stop him from talking to the Chinese Community against the BCA, but as for Harry, it's not really
recommending, but in his case, it's "I want these people". TB has never been ready to govern.
The party is poorly managed, they didn't pay the bills on time, and it has power hungry people within.
A party ready to govern should act and look like it. TB is far from that.
"There is only a few city councilor that looks ready to govern on the BCA side and certainly is not getting younger."
Partially true, but age has nothing to do with the capability to govern.
"So what happens if people decide to opt for change in the city hall. Then someone has got to provide a viable alternative, and it seems TB is on the right track and I do expect to see a much fresher slate of council candidates next election but not without experienced councilors as they provide assurance of a new vision for Burnaby. "
If they are listened to. The key here is to listen to the experienced councillors, not to a power hungry MLA.
"Too bad for BCA councilors however, because shall they decide to run for re-election, they will effectively forfeit their chance at 2009 election."
Sure, but those within the BCA who run for council would not by default be interested in running in the 2009 provincial election, especially if its seen that the NDP will once again be Opposition rather than government.
"And some are even suggesting that our mayor may decide to move aside to challenge Richard Lee, and tell me that is not a sign of the change of power that is about to take place in Burnaby."
If Corrigan takes on Richard Lee, then the BCA will find a prominent person to run for Mayor.
It's possible, but again, its worth repeating that Team Bloy's successes in winning a majority on council is not guaranteed by any long shot.
They will have to act like they want to govern and that means getting away from power influences and interference from MLA's or anyone else, and truly let the membership decide who is the candidate, and then they will have to come up with things that the voters will want.
Team Burnaby being a selling vehicle for Gateway during a civic election certainly isn't going to win them success. There's much more to be done than just extending support for the Gateway Project.
I don't know why people keep insisting on following power hungry persons such as Harry Bloy who is only doing it because he hasn't had any success in any great deal in Victoria and simply wants influence and power.
Team Burnaby would be much better off being independent away from both federal and provincial political influences.
Why is there always someone who says Harry Bloy should not "interfere" with municipal politics when it is within his democratic right to campaign against anyone in power. So what he disagrees with the direction that our mayor is heading towards, on transit issues.
I do agree however that federal liberals and tories should not let their federal leaning interfere with any effort and if they see someone else who is more ready to govern Burnaby, a much fresher face than the long-lived BCA empire successor, then they should put aside their differences and put that person into city hall. Richard Lee will have no chance getting re-elected if he only decides to count on federal liberal support while an alliance with tories can easily block Derek Corrigan from fulfilling his political ambition. The only way for TB to win the race against BCA is to embrace diversity within their party and adopt a strategy that helped propel many of the BCL MLA's to Victoria. Otherwise change of power will simply be an idea, never a reality. And Harry Bloy is certainly making both sides understand the urgency for unity.
Why is there always someone who says Harry Bloy should not "interfere" with municipal politics when it is within his democratic right to campaign against anyone in power."
Many people do not like interference from MP's or MLA's into other levels of politics. Same holds true for civic politicians.
"So what he disagrees with the direction that our mayor is heading towards, on transit issues."
It seems to be more than that. Many peole think Harry is just wanting more power and influence
and wants to play the field. It has very little to do with the betterment of Burnaby. He wants to erase those who are disagreeing with his beloved leader and the BC Liberal Gateway Project. Kind of a thin way to in terms of reasoning to elect a group of new people. The project is going ahead anyway.
I do agree however that federal liberals and tories should not let their federal leaning interfere with any effort and if they see someone else who is more ready to govern Burnaby,"
So why let Harry and his leanings do that and not the Liberals and Tories? Does Harry have some kind of special privilege? Kind of hypocritical to say liberals and tories should let their federal leaning interfere yet here's someone that says its OK for Harry and his leanings to do so.
"a much fresher face than the long-lived BCA empire successor, then they should put aside their differences and put that person into city hall."
That can easily be done without the 'assistance' of Harry or anyone else. It's been done before.
"Richard Lee will have no chance getting re-elected if he only decides to count on federal liberal support while an alliance with tories can easily block Derek Corrigan from fulfilling his political ambition."
Here we go with that again.
it'sactually up to the voters to decide if they want Richard back. Much of that support is not dependent on whether it is liberal or tory. many from each voted for him since 2001. At the provincial level, Many voters could care less what he is federally.
"The only way for TB to win the race against BCA is to embrace diversity within their party and adopt a strategy that helped propel many of the BCL MLA's to Victoria."
Wrong. It's more of TB coming up with something that the voters will want to see in Burnaby in terms of high quality candidates who will actually work towards the bettering of Burnaby rather than being actors in some supermarionation production headed by an MLA, plus an sound outline of goals for the future of Burnaby rather than the much easier complaining that the BCA and Corrigan do not support Gateway.
Much of that strategy in getting BCL MLA's re-elected was just more of renewal, and also facing an unusally weak NDP.
"Otherwise change of power will simply be an idea, never a reality. And Harry Bloy is certainly making both sides understand the urgency for unity."
It's more of Harry making both sides understand that he's the new "Sheriff" in town.
With that kind of attitude, many volunteers would tell Harry to ride off into the sunset and even if there's sea water in front of the horse to keep on goin'.
The voters will rarely vote slate, and many vote for individual candidates, not the group.
Harry doesn't decide the outcome of the election. That's up to the voters.
The only thing he and TB can do is convince the voters that they are the right option, but who would want a group of people running Burnaby who are ultimately answering only to an MLA simply because they "owe" him??
Forget it. I'd rather vote for unencumbered candidates who will actually do things for Burnaby irregardless of who is in the collective of MLA's representing Burnaby.
One thing about these political releationships that Harry likes.
He deliveres "accounts receivable" to the candidates now, but that accounts receivable will easily end up being accounts payable later on.
Any candidate who buys into his "concept plan of civic success" is simply asking for trouble later down the road. Harry will utlimately want to be paid back. That's not why people elect politicians.
Account receivables...right, and should we call Peter Julian and Bill Siksay Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus?
True, a few have been constantly criticizing Harry Bloy for bringing together a credible opposition that is looking ready to govern, had they chosen a much more popular mayoral candidate, they could have taken over the city hall but Burnaby citizens have shown that they are ready for a change. Under any dictatorship, someone like Harry Bloy will always be framed as a trouble-maker as he launches a campaign to unseat incumbents in power. But when he succeeds in what he does, I would say the reconstruction of this umbrella strategy would make him somewhat an heroic figure in the struggle against the NDP empire in Burnaby while BCA continue to take the voters for granted.
Account receivables...right, and should we call Peter Julian and Bill Siksay Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus?
They're MP's.
"True, a few have been constantly criticizing Harry Bloy for bringing together a credible opposition that is looking ready to govern, had they chosen a much more popular mayoral candidate, they could have taken over the city hall but Burnaby citizens have shown that they are ready for a change. "
Depends on what that change is.
"Under any dictatorship, someone like Harry Bloy will always be framed as a trouble-maker as he launches a campaign to unseat incumbents in power."
Doesn't nessesarily have to be him.
Others can do the same. Harry doesn't have a monopoly on political direction.
"But when he succeeds in what he does, I would say the reconstruction of this umbrella strategy would make him somewhat an heroic figure in the struggle against the NDP empire in Burnaby while BCA continue to take the voters for granted."
If he fails, he'll end up as a fool.
Many are betting that he will end up as a fool.
If he succeeds, there's going to be no living with him as an MLA as he'll feed on that success to his trademark arrogance and power peddling.
The best thing for everyone is for him to stay out of it and just do what he was elected to do, be an MLA for Burquitlam and not the Baron of Burnaby.
Interesting.
Wonder why it is just Harry himself doing all of this, and not as a co-operative effort on part of Richard Lee, and John Nuraney?
Is Harry supposed to be some kind of knight on the white horse riding in to save the kingdom from evil?
Seems to be the writers are correct.
Team Burnaby can function on its own with co-operation and input from a much wider audience rather than those hand picked by Harry Bloy.
One has to ask why is Harry even bothering with it?
Seems this road has been travelled before, and the only real result were paid political jobs for his friends.
If Team Burnaby is supposed to be the great civic group it advertises itself to be, it should be able to build up on its own without help from any MLA.
Wonder why that hasn't happened.
But doesn't matter. In the end it is the voters that will decide who makes up Burnaby council, not Harry Bloy or any other MLA who decides to do power plays.
What is with all of this constant criticism of Harry Bloy's hands on approach to campaigning which has yielded excellent results against BCA. But when is the last time really that Harry Bloy handpicked his own candidate while our mayor in 2005 single-handedly threw one of his own out of the municipal party on the nomination night. Why that incumbent never decided to join TB is beyond otherwise he could have become the king-maker on the council and halt the power Corrigan has over Burnaby.
But it really comes down to which person it is going to be that's gonna take up the role of opposing NDP. We see Richard Lee passively waiting hoping that his incumbency will carry him through to another victory while we all know if the Derek Corrigan does decide to wage a battle in his riding, Richard will be dragged into a war without much of the tory support. And this is the sort of the candidate that NDP grassroot campaign is most effective against.
With municipal nomination meeting just around the corner, we see that just possibly our mayor may forgo his incumbency to seek a seat in Victoria, very likely against Richard Lee which his fellow councilor almost defeated in 05 and finally fulfill his own political ambition. But what that will create is a power vacuum for the anti-BCA force to seize on in 08.
BCA will no doubt pass on the torch to one of their own, but TB will be able to present themselves as the reform party, hopefully introducing star mayoral candidate who at least looks competent enough to sit beside Lee Rankin taking on BCA in the city hall. Now in unity due to Harry Bloy's effort to bring them together, Team Burnaby is showing itself to be ready to govern, and with just another two seats on council and one mayoral election victory away, Team Burnaby shall be able to lead the city into a new direction and bring about change much desired by the citizens across the city from Boundary to North Road, and from Marine Drive all the way to Barney Hwy.
"What is with all of this constant criticism of Harry Bloy's hands on approach to campaigning which has yielded excellent results against BCA. "
No it hasn't. The BCA is still running the city. Why all this hero worship of Harry in the first place? He should be paying attention to being MLA, rather than trying to stick his nose into everything. No one in South Burnaby for example voted for him.
"But when is the last time really that Harry Bloy handpicked his own candidate while our mayor in 2005 single-handedly threw one of his own out of the municipal party on the nomination night."
Team Burnaby is supposed to be democratic and let the membership decide and without interference from others who want to make a power play.
"Why that incumbent never decided to join TB is beyond otherwise he could have become the king-maker on the council and halt the power Corrigan has over Burnaby."
Probably saw the mess Team Burnaby was in, and decided, forget it.
Besides, Harry wouldn't have approved, right?
"But it really comes down to which person it is going to be that's gonna take up the role of opposing NDP. We see Richard Lee passively waiting hoping that his incumbency will carry him through to another victory while we all know if the Derek Corrigan does decide to wage a battle in his riding"
That's simply isn't going to happen since Corrigan will not run provincially to languish on the opposition benches for four years.
"Richard will be dragged into a war without much of the tory support."
Doubt that, since first, you don't represent the tories in where their support would go, and second, Richard did receive support from those who did vote tory, the total number of votes he received says so.
"And this is the sort of the candidate that NDP grassroot campaign is most effective against. "
The NDP is effective against quite a number of candidates, once they get their strength back.
"With municipal nomination meeting just around the corner,"
You mean - as far as Team Burnaby goes - choosing from a list pre-approved by Harry, don't you?
" we see that just possibly our mayor may forgo his incumbency to seek a seat in Victoria, very likely against Richard Lee which his fellow councilor almost defeated in 05 and finally fulfill his own political ambition. "
Don't bet the SUV on that one. Corrigan can either run again or move on to focus more on his law practice with someone new running for Mayor for the BCA.
"But what that will create is a power vacuum for the anti-BCA force to seize on in 08. "
Sure. Another opportunity for Harry and his supporters to suck.
They suck anyway.
"BCA will no doubt pass on the torch to one of their own, but TB will be able to present themselves as the reform party, hopefully introducing star mayoral candidate who at least looks competent enough to sit beside Lee Rankin taking on BCA in the city hall."
Sure. Reformed in the manner that Harry wants. Garth and Gary are competent enough to sit beside Lee Rankin.
"Now in unity due to Harry Bloy's effort to bring them together, Team Burnaby is showing itself to be ready to govern,"
Sure with a Board with harry's suppiorters and no doubt at a future time with candidates preferred by Harry.
"and with just another two seats on council and one mayoral election victory away, Team Burnaby shall be able to lead the city into a new direction and bring about change much desired by the citizens across the city from Boundary to North Road, and from Marine Drive all the way to Barney Hwy."
A bit hard to take there.
What's next? The Rising Sun over the backlit Burnaby Mountain?
Gag.
Burnaby North NDP riding association has decided to adopt a resolution opposing affirmative action in the provincial MLA nomination selection process. Will that be the first hurdle cleared to make a way for him to parachute himself into the riding is anyone's guess. But if he does decide to run, then he better be sure that he will get his councilors re-elected first because I can certainly a few of them dropping off in 08 since voters tend to move away from foul mouth rebels or silent incumbents on the ballot. Many of the candidates carried by the party to city hall should savor the last year they have left this term because when it comes time to nomination, incumbency simply will not help as Corrigan handpicks his own people on the ballot and remove those he sees not fit just like what happened 2 years ago. But DC has cruised through his terms and people already are seeing through him and with many of the people soon getting tired of BCA long-time monopoly on power with only razor thin majority on the council, those wanting change in increasing numbers will only become more suspected of BCA if our mayor does decide to withdraw himself from BCA so called "nomination race" and seek a seat in Victoria against Richard Lee, same goes for Kathy.
But instead of trying to gain a seat in Victoria in time for a race to replace Carole James who will be under pressure to resign in 2009 that he will very likely lose anyway, maybe DC will save a lot more of his energy going back to his law practice which is a lot more profitable now with him being the mayor for 6 years, instead of another four precious years as an opposition backbencher in Victoria, especially considering that fact that he may fall victim of this "affirmative action" Carole James is adopting for the party. Not to mention that his re-election victory is far from guaranteed and it certainly wont be a graceful exit for him if voters decide to that it is time for a change and have most of the BCA incumbents wiped out in the next election. But with some BCA incumbents expected to drop out of the race and seek BCNDP nomination, if voters do decide to award TB with a super majority in city hall the joke will certainly be on those dropped out of the race and then seeing themselves defeated in those races against Carole appointees.
"Burnaby North NDP riding association has decided to adopt a resolution opposing affirmative action in the provincial MLA nomination selection process."
Nothing new there. These affirmative action positions erode the democratic process in the membership being able to choose a candidate.
"Will that be the first hurdle cleared to make a way for him to parachute himself into the riding is anyone's guess."
Who Corrigan? Not him again.
But if he does decide to run, then he better be sure that he will get his councilors re-elected first because I can certainly a few of them dropping off in 08 since voters tend to move away from foul mouth rebels or silent incumbents on the ballot."
So why elect Team Burnaby candidates?
"Many of the candidates carried by the party to city hall should savor the last year they have left this term because when it comes time to nomination, incumbency simply will not help as Corrigan handpicks his own people on the ballot and remove those he sees not fit just like what happened 2 years ago."
Isn't that what Harry is doing now? Handpicking the candidates and making sure they get the nomination? Kind of hypocritical there.
"But DC has cruised through his terms and people already are seeing through him and with many of the people soon getting tired of BCA long-time monopoly on power with only razor thin majority on the council, those wanting change in increasing numbers will only become more suspected of BCA if our mayor does decide to withdraw himself from BCA so called "nomination race" and seek a seat in Victoria against Richard Lee, same goes for Kathy. "
Long shot prediction there. What will you do when Corrigan decides to either continue on for another term or absolve going another term and return to full time law practising?
"But instead of trying to gain a seat in Victoria in time for a race to replace Carole James who will be under pressure to resign in 2009 that he will very likely lose anyway, maybe DC will save a lot more of his energy going back to his law practice which is a lot more profitable now with him being the mayor for 6 years, instead of another four precious years as an opposition backbencher in Victoria, especially considering that fact that he may fall victim of this "affirmative action" Carole James is adopting for the party. "
Possible.
Not to mention that his re-election victory is far from guaranteed and it certainly wont be a graceful exit for him if voters decide to that it is time for a change and have most of the BCA incumbents wiped out in the next election.
A wide victory for Team Bloy candidates isn't exactly guaranteed either, sport.
"But with some BCA incumbents expected to drop out of the race and seek BCNDP nomination, if voters do decide to award TB with a super majority in city hall the joke will certainly be on those dropped out of the race and then seeing themselves defeated in those races against Carole appointees."
If Team Bloy does win a majority in city hall, that will be a joke. There won't be any accountability and Harry will no doubt want some kind of influence on what is done on council for the betterment of his own goals and also to protect the interest of the BC Liberal government.
That's not what councillors are elected for.
The sole for the NDP partisan nature in BCA is this belief that they will be in power forever. Unfortunately in all societies, especially in democratic ones, when people think it is time for a change, then those in power will go with them. When Burnaby chooses to remove BCA from power, will there be a better man or woman governing our city? Certainly if there is no consensus on the candidate of change, then no opposition candidate can win. Any student of history knows it. No one is blaming Harry Bloy from uniting opposition, and if BCA wants to resist any agent of change, they are always welcome to move to Cuba. Otherwise, there is this thing called democracy that most of us try to abide by for those who are not aware of it.
"The sole for the NDP partisan nature in BCA is this belief that they will be in power forever. "
If the voters want the BCA candidates as councillors, then why not? People tend to vote for
individuals rather than slate anyway.
"Unfortunately in all societies, especially in democratic ones, when people think it is time for a change, then those in power will go with them."
Not nessesarily.
"When Burnaby chooses to remove BCA from power, will there be a better man or woman governing our city?"
Good question, but that's not guranteed. Sam Sullivan is a good example of a better man who has slipped a bit, but then there was
Doug Drummond who was actually quite good as Mayor as was Bill Copeland before him.
"Certainly if there is no consensus on the candidate of change, then no opposition candidate can win."
True.
"Any student of history knows it."
Can learn from past mistakes.
"No one is blaming Harry Bloy from uniting opposition,"
Kind of suspicious as to why he is doing that, when he has a history of being power hungry.
"and if BCA wants to resist any agent of change, they are always welcome to move to Cuba."
Funny. Why doesn't Harry move to
North Korea then?
"Otherwise, there is this thing called democracy that most of us try to abide by for those who are not aware of it."
Too bad that Harry's supporters don't really believe in that. If they did, they would not try to collect Harry's favourite candidates, and live with the result that the membership of their civic party decide who the candidates are without their putting their hands in it.
Why move to North Korea when he has yet to overthrow the Corrigan regime. Sometimes it takes one dictator at a time. The membership of the party has so far been approving each preemptive strike against BCA, starting from turning one of the most prominent city councilor joining his camp and uniting the all anti-government factions which has yielded enough results to believe that their own party is ready to govern.
True, the incumbent government can always criticize the opposition from putting out candidates who, to their great surprise, in fact oppose them. But no, Harry Bloy does not have monopoly in Burnaby, we all know that, he just wants to see Corrigan defeated, just like those close to 50% of Burnaby residents who voted against DC last election. And definitely no one should blame him for simply carrying out his citizen duty practicing his own democratic right in opposition to current regime.
"Why move to North Korea when he has yet to overthrow the Corrigan regime."
So, this is all about him is it?
What about the membership? Guess they don't count for anything in the direction of Team Burnaby do they?
"Sometimes it takes one dictator at a time."
Certainly the right enviroment for Harry isn't it?
"The membership of the party has so far been approving each preemptive strike against BCA, starting from turning one of the most prominent city councilor joining his camp and uniting the all anti-government factions which has yielded enough results to believe that their own party is ready to govern."
You mean Lee Rankin. He's not bad.
Harry hasn't united all anti-government factions.
"True, the incumbent government can always criticize the opposition from putting out candidates who, to their great surprise, in fact oppose them. But no, Harry Bloy does not have monopoly in Burnaby, we all know that, he just wants to see Corrigan defeated, just like those close to 50% of Burnaby residents who voted against DC last election. "
You mean 50% of the 32% of the registered population who actually voted.
"And definitely no one should blame him for simply carrying out his citizen duty practicing his own democratic right in opposition to current regime."
It's not the concept, its the way he is doing that is not acceptable to many people. He's not the only person who wants the BCA out, and its really not up to him to decide
who the candidates are. He can place his own favoured people for consideration, but once done that he should step out and let the membership decide for themselves who they would like to present to the voters.
Then it is up to the voters to decide who as individuals actually get enough support to win a seat on council.
Harry should not figure prominently unless he's seen putting up signs on a Sunday.
To have a government MLA get heavily involved is not the smartest thing to do.
For one thing, it's giving the BCA something to snack on when they start feeding during the civic election.
Just like all other common Burnaby citizens, e.g. Bill Siksay, if they cannot see the vision our mayor has for our city, then it is within their right to try to change that, and that my friend, is called democracy. Who should stop Richard Lee from campaigning in the Chinese speaking community against BCA and who should stop Harry Bloy from recommending political talents to the nomination to make TB look read to govern. There is only a few city councilor that looks ready to govern on the BCA side and certainly is not getting younger. So what happens if people decide to opt for change in the city hall. Then someone has got to provide a viable alternative, and it seems TB is on the right track and I do expect to see a much fresher slate of council candidates next election but not without experienced councilors as they provide assurance of a new vision for Burnaby. Too bad for BCA councilors however, because shall they decide to run for re-election, they will effectively forfeit their chance at 2009 election. And some are even suggesting that our mayor may decide to move aside to challenge Richard Lee, and tell me that is not a sign of the change of power that is about to take place in Burnaby.
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