Wave goodbye?
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been making the news a lot lately for their off field activity - the activity of getting a new field outside of Burnaby. Burnaby politicians seem to be staying quiet while the longtime tenants of Swanguard Stadium slip away. (At least we'll still have their practice fields up at SFU.)
Unlike his quiet Burnaby counterparts, Senator Larry Campbell is crowing about how he's the one who will deliver the team to downtown Vancouver. Campbell failed to bring the team to Vancouver when he was in a position to do something. As mayor he let previous attempts to build a stadium get stopped in their tracks. As a Senator, and one in the Liberal ranks, Campbell will not be the one delivering the Whitecaps to Vancouver.
If federal, provincial and civic officials want to let the Whitecaps wind up in downtown they will finally land downtown. As for Burnaby, unless the MLAs and MPs take the lead soon, the team will soon be on the water or under the dome for good.
Unlike his quiet Burnaby counterparts, Senator Larry Campbell is crowing about how he's the one who will deliver the team to downtown Vancouver. Campbell failed to bring the team to Vancouver when he was in a position to do something. As mayor he let previous attempts to build a stadium get stopped in their tracks. As a Senator, and one in the Liberal ranks, Campbell will not be the one delivering the Whitecaps to Vancouver.
If federal, provincial and civic officials want to let the Whitecaps wind up in downtown they will finally land downtown. As for Burnaby, unless the MLAs and MPs take the lead soon, the team will soon be on the water or under the dome for good.
posted by Robert Burnaby at 8:43 PM
25 Comments:
Face reality.
Swangard Stadium is red carded.
As if people can stop them from playing on prime real estate. The whole thing was doomed from the beginning since our Olympics stadium got taken away (thought it literally saved millions, every year). If our mayor couldnt save the oval, no one is expecting him to save the soccer stadium.
But let us focus on what is more important since neither will help boost Burnaby's economy. I would like to see what kind of vision BCA and opposition offer come next election, who will preside over Burnaby during Olympics.
As if people can stop them from playing on prime real estate. The whole thing was doomed from the beginning since our Olympics stadium got taken away (thought it literally saved millions, every year). If our mayor couldnt save the oval, no one is expecting him to save the soccer stadium.
There wasn't any "saving" of the oval. Richmond just put in a better deal, and it makes logistical sense to have such a facility near YVR.
Kwitcherbeefin'.
"But let us focus on what is more important since neither will help boost Burnaby's economy. I would like to see what kind of vision BCA and opposition offer come next election, who will preside over Burnaby during Olympics"
The answer is quite easy.
The same usual bullshit from both Mayor Corrigan and whom ever is
elected to Council.
Add the bullshit that will come from both Team Burnaby and the BCA
and you've got your election for this year.
Wave goodbye to the Whitecaps? Wave good by to Nuraney...Kathy Corrigan is running for the NDP.
Nuraney is toast...
Thanks to Begin, Evans & Spitz and friends who split the TEAM Burnaby. They sure have done their best to help Derek Corrigan win his mayoral seat again. CORRIGANS ARE PLEASED AS PUNCH WITH THIS TRIO WHO ARE paving the way for this husband & wife duo's victories.
Kathy Corrigan will have the prestige and power of the mayor's office to crush the hapless John.
Hope you enjoyed your time in Victoria, John. Better start saying your goodbyes. ha ha ha.
I definitely think Richard Lee's candidacy can have the same effect as Alan Lowe did on NDP civic parties (Victoria NDP civic party has been dissembled and is now defunct). But that is beside the point.
But I need to restate what I have said earlier, people are already questioning what sort of legacy Mayor Corrigan is leaving us, especially if he loses his re-election that will be a unfortunate end to his second mayoral term given the present condition. But that legacy certainly is not going to have anything to do with Olympics, while a money-losing legacy, would still be nice for Burnaby to have. But we will let Mayor Corrigan answer that to the voters come election time.
"Wave goodbye to the Whitecaps? Wave good by to Nuraney...Kathy Corrigan is running for the NDP.
Nuraney is toast...
Thanks to Begin, Evans & Spitz and friends who split the TEAM Burnaby. "
Sure. That's not the real reason though. They left because Team Burnaby is poorly run and Team Burnaby supporters can't figure out that they are the problem not Begin, Evans, Spitz and the directors that left.
"They sure have done their best to help Derek Corrigan win his mayoral seat again. CORRIGANS ARE PLEASED AS PUNCH WITH THIS TRIO WHO ARE paving the way for this husband & wife duo's victories."
Have they said so? Cite?
"Kathy Corrigan will have the prestige and power of the mayor's office to crush the hapless John."
John has been doing himself in since 2003.
"Hope you enjoyed your time in Victoria, John. Better start saying your goodbyes. ha ha ha."
WOuldn't bother him, since he's made his pile and has boxes of money stored away.
In fact he'll probably be happier being away from that autocratic environment that is Gordon Campbell's caucus.
"I definitely think Richard Lee's candidacy can have the same effect as Alan Lowe did on NDP civic parties (Victoria NDP civic party has been dissembled and is now defunct). But that is beside the point."
Different environment and circumstance and Richard wouldn't run for Mayor in the first place.
It would take alot of convincing for him to do that, and its certain that he wouldn't do it to prevent Team Burnaby's losses.
"But I need to restate what I have said earlier, people are already questioning what sort of legacy Mayor Corrigan is leaving us, especially if he loses his re-election that will be a unfortunate end to his second mayoral term given the present condition."
People were also questioning what is to be gained by electing a majority Team Buraby civic government. Team Burnaby can't even manage its own affairs properly.
But that legacy certainly is not going to have anything to do with Olympics, while a money-losing legacy, would still be nice for Burnaby to have. But we will let Mayor Corrigan answer that to the voters come election time.
Indeed. He will have to answer to the voters. Not the political hacks in Team Burnaby who figure they are always right and everyone else is wrong.
Somebody is very negative about the city they live in. Let's hope they're not political, because that kind of negativism will come back to haunt them.
Even without Swangard, Burnaby has The Very Best Minor Soccer facilities in the Lower Mainland. And I'd rather see kids playing in Burnaby than a professional team. The old Swangard is best suited for a senior amateur team, or large minor soccer tourneys.
The Whitecaps want to be in Vancouver. Let them go.
Remember, the original NASL Whitecaps played at Empire Stadium. Who wouldnt rather be in the stands with 30,000 other soccer fans, again.
Burnaby's sports dollars should be spent on amateur sports.
I agree with Bobby Lenarduzzi and The Derek on this one.
And isn't Bobby an old friend of the mayor?
They used to go skiing together, or something like that.
Will there be an endorsement in November?
Agree on all points.
Seems some rube Team Burnaby person wants to find negative issues on everything rather than come up with positive things.
Who would want Team Burnaby as civic government? (well aside from a few members of TB who hope to get the political goodies..)
"Kathy Corrigan will have the prestige and power of the mayor's office to crush the hapless John."
Huh? So the mayor will help her win. Not sure is the way the citizens of Burnaby want to mayor's office to be run.
As well being Corrigan's wife might actually be a detriment to her as voters tend to not like husband and wife tag teams in politics.
"Huh? So the mayor will help her win. Not sure is the way the citizens of Burnaby want to mayor's office to be run."
Certainly not. But her announcement has pretty much eliminated the possibility for the First Families to turn liberals. That will too unite the entire BC Liberals to oppose the mayor, officially as a loss will automatically disqualify Kathy Corrigan. This is not to mention that she may not be cakewalking to the nomination given that she does not even LIVE in the riding. There will be other NDP members from the riding, such as Tony Kuo, that can stake that claim more effectively.
Tony Kuo an NDP member?
As in the New DemoNcratic Party?
Corrigans becoming Liberals?
hardy har har
I've got another one along those lines.
When will Lee Rankin run for the Conservative Party? It's a logical progression.
I've got another one along those lines.
When will Lee Rankin run for the Conservative Party? It's a logical progression.
He won't run for the Conservatives as one riding is taken, and the other one they wouldn't take him.
"Certainly not. But her announcement has pretty much eliminated the possibility for the First Families to turn liberals. That will too unite the entire BC Liberals to oppose the mayor, officially as a loss will automatically disqualify Kathy Corrigan. This is not to mention that she may not be cakewalking to the nomination given that she does not even LIVE in the riding. There will be other NDP members from the riding, such as Tony Kuo, that can stake that claim more effectively."
Where do people get this First Family and First Lady crap? It exists in the United States, but not here, and there hasn't been any reference to First Family or First Lady anything at the civic level in Burnaby until some idiot decided to continue his U.S. politics induced psychosis.
A loss by Corrigan, Derek wouldn't disqualify Corrigan, Kathy.
Tony Kuo wouldn't run for the NDP as they wouldn't take him.
A geographical seperation of 2 to 3
km between the Corrigan house and the nearest boundary to Deer Lake wouldn't disqualify her.
Running an equivalent to that in 2001 would mean Harry Bloy wouldn't have 'qualified' to run in Burquitlam since he at the time did not live in that riding as he lived in Burnaby North.
Congrats to those nominated by BCA today, of course they know only some of them will be elected, so they better hope they get ranked ahead of others on the ballot alphabetically.
"Running an equivalent to that in 2001 would mean Harry Bloy wouldn't have 'qualified' to run in Burquitlam since he at the time did not live in that riding as he lived in Burnaby North."
In 2001, you might as well live Alberta and run as a BCLIB you can still win. I dont think there is a doubt in that, but of course we all know where Harry Bloy lives. Same cannot be said with Kathy Corrigan.
So now that she has decided run in a foreign riding, will that affect her electibility? I think so. Her candidacy will look at lot like Gabriel Yiu's, also a rookie nominee. Looks excellent on paper and favored by the media, but at the end of the day it is about who is better at campaigning, and years of edging Ron Burton out of chair of school board based on her family's influence in the city hall will not translate in the general election against BCLIB.
"A loss by Corrigan, Derek wouldn't disqualify Corrigan, Kathy."
It would. Kathy Corrigan has been a competent school board trustee and a researcher, but she is not a born politician. We all know what is stopping prominent local residents such as Gabriel Yiu from entering the race against Kathy Corrigan, but that glass wall is by no means unbreakable. Shall her husband lose in November, this will be a coronation anymore.
"Congrats to those nominated by BCA today, of course they know only some of them will be elected, so they better hope they get ranked ahead of others on the ballot alphabetically."
Sorry to disappoint, but the ballot is arranged alphabetically by last name.
"Running an equivalent to that in 2001 would mean Harry Bloy wouldn't have 'qualified' to run in Burquitlam since he at the time did not live in that riding as he lived in Burnaby North."
"In 2001, you might as well live Alberta and run as a BCLIB you can still win. I dont think there is a doubt in that, but of course we all know where Harry Bloy lives. Same cannot be said with Kathy Corrigan. "
Obvioulsy haven't done your homework. As for 2001, you could
run Paul Reitsma the goofy letter to the editor writer and he would have won.
So now that she has decided run in a foreign riding, will that affect her electibility?
"I think so. Her candidacy will look at lot like Gabriel Yiu's, also a rookie nominee."
It won't since there have been many instances of candidates not geographically living in a riding and winning. In regards to Kathy Corrigan, it's not going to matter all that much since she does still
live within Burnaby. It's a non issue.
"Looks excellent on paper and favored by the media, but at the end of the day it is about who is better at campaigning, and years of edging Ron Burton out of chair of school board based on her family's influence in the city hall will not translate in the general election against BCLIB."
It more has to do with her leadership skills more than anything else. It doesn't originate from her family's alleged influence since School Board does not tie into Council.
"A loss by Corrigan, Derek wouldn't disqualify Corrigan, Kathy."
It would. Kathy Corrigan has been a competent school board trustee and a researcher, but she is not a born politician."
Who says you have to be 'born'?
"We all know what is stopping prominent local residents such as Gabriel Yiu from entering the race against Kathy Corrigan, but that glass wall is by no means unbreakable."
Gabriel Yu wasn't a good enough candidate to begin with. He was clumsy and not electable. He's not MLA material.
Shall her husband lose in November, this will be a coronation anymore.
Doesn't matter if Derek loses or not. If the NDP sees Derek losing in November, they will be far more determined to bump off the BC Liberals in 2009.
The NDP hate to lose.
Excellent new candidates from BCA. But it it time for BCA to reform itself. They should either call them Burnaby NDP or just do away with associating themselves with BCNDP. Just because these new council candidates are running under BCA does not mean they will automatically endorse the incumbent mayor's lady to run with BCNDP.
Bet your ass they will, and they have done so before Team Burnaby was even thought about existing.
So why are the BC Liberals "BC Liberals?" They are more Conservatives than Liberals since
quite a few of them (including their Executive Director) have worked quite a few times as a volunteers with the Conservatives, not the federal Liberals. The president has never been a federal Liberal. Before she was BC Liberal she was Social Credit, not provincial Liberal. Many of the more experienced older volunteers are from the Conservatives and Social Credit Parties not the provincial Liberal party led by Gordon Wilson and previously by Art Lee.
There's a few old time provincial Liberals, but quite a few others
including Claude Richmond, Kevin Falcon and others who were (and most probably are) most supportive of the Conservatives than the federal Liberals. Falcon comes from the Social Credit Party, not the provincial Liberals led by Art Lee.
They will most certainly endorse Kathy Corrigan, since the BCA is made up of Burnaby NDPers who work the provincial and federal elections for the NDP.
and you can bet your ass on that one.
In fact Harry Bloy was never provincial Liberal prior to 2001.
he was provincial Conservative (which was smaller than the provincial Liberals.)
"They will most certainly endorse Kathy Corrigan, since the BCA is made up of Burnaby NDPers who work the provincial and federal elections for the NDP."
There is no question people from Taiwan love politics. Tony Kuo too is from Taiwan. One of the Burnaby mayoral candidates is a Taiwanese. The only Chinese candidate that participated in the only election held in 2007 in British Columbia is also from Taiwan (in Coquitlam). No one is questioning that NDP's commitment to support Taiwanese independence, but few are questioning the same kind of commitment from the conservatives. The only anti-independence party is LPC but that is an issue better left aside to discuss come federal election.
True, people are still waiting to see the first ever Taiwanese Canadian MP to be elected. And the entire Taiwanese community in Burnaby may also hope that, given Peter Julian's grip on power, one of the two Taiwanese councilors may replace Bill Siksay to become the first Cdn MP ever from Taiwan, as Mr. Democracy had tried 4 years ago. But just because these Taiwanese have opted to side with power locally does not mean that will automatically side with NDP provincially or federally. There is enough example for that for one to be bothered with explanations ("pro-NDP" civic party Counc. George Chow & Mayor Larry Campbell).
Civic Conservatives have won London from civic Labour. Luckily, in Burnaby, civic politicians are free to choose sides provincially without fear of expulsion. It will not surprise me that if Mayor Corrigan loses his re-election, Kathy may very well not have this so called "automatic" endorsement from rookie BCA councilors. One hopes that these newly BCA councilors, rather than following marginalized ideologies, will work with the opposition and make the next government accountable, especially if they do indeed hold the balance of power.
"There is no question people from Taiwan love politics. Tony Kuo too is from Taiwan. One of the Burnaby mayoral candidates is a Taiwanese."
Corrrigan is definately not Taiwanese and there hasn't been any other candidates named in the local paper.
"The only Chinese candidate that participated in the only election held in 2007 in British Columbia is also from Taiwan (in Coquitlam). No one is questioning that NDP's commitment to support Taiwanese independence, but few are questioning the same kind of commitment from the conservatives."
Sicne when does Taiwan's "independence" come into civic politics? Taiwan is an independent country.
"The only anti-independence party is LPC but that is an issue better left aside to discuss come federal election. "
Not so sure about that since the stature of Taiwan hasn't become a major national policy issue during Canadian federal elections. To many Canadians, the status of Taiwan isn't a big issue.
"True, people are still waiting to see the first ever Taiwanese Canadian MP to be elected."
What for? Does this person bring anything different to the federal caucus on behalf of constituents or British Columbians than let's say someone originally from England, India or Portugal?
"And the entire Taiwanese community in Burnaby may also hope that, given Peter Julian's grip on power, one of the two Taiwanese councilors may replace Bill Siksay to become the first Cdn MP ever from Taiwan"
Won't happen.
as Mr. Democracy had tried 4 years ago.
"Mr. Democracy" was a joke.
"But just because these Taiwanese have opted to side with power locally does not mean that will automatically side with NDP provincially or federally."
You're wrong there since the NDP
locally IS the NDP provincially and federally.
There is enough example for that for one to be bothered with explanations ("pro-NDP" civic party Counc. George Chow & Mayor Larry Campbell).
Civic Conservatives have won London from civic Labour. Luckily, in Burnaby, civic politicians are free to choose sides provincially without fear of expulsion. "
SO what's the message here? The purpose of civic politicians is to work for the best interests of the citizens, not for any one provincial or federal party or interest.
It will not surprise me that if Mayor Corrigan loses his re-election, Kathy may very well not have this so called "automatic" endorsement from rookie BCA councilors. "
Would be too late for that. She would have already been nominated
and It's unlikely Corrigian would
be defeated. Besides if it is a federal Liberal writing that tripe, they should talk since the federal Liberals are notorious for
automated nominations (such as that given to Bill Cunningham).
One hopes that these newly BCA councilors, rather than following marginalized ideologies, will work with the opposition and make the next government accountable, especially if they do indeed hold the balance of power.
They will work for the best interests of the citizens. They most certainly will not work with the opposition.
The issues regarding Taiwan have no effect or interest in civic related issues in Burnaby.
It doesn't matter where a person's
heritage comes from or what ethnic group he or she belongs to. What matters is what he or she intends to do for the good of the city once elected. That's what the voters should be looking at, not pandering to having the 'first [name of ethnic origin here] councillor, MLA or MP.
Anyone who votes on the solely basis of ethnic origin of a candidate is fooling themself, and making a bad decision.
"You're wrong there since the NDP
locally IS the NDP provincially and federally. "
You mean local NDP like Larry Campbell and provincial NDP like Ujjal Dosanjh? Enuff said.
"Would be too late for that. She would have already been nominated
and It's unlikely Corrigian would
be defeated. Besides if it is a federal Liberal writing that tripe, they should talk since the federal Liberals are notorious for
automated nominations (such as that given to Bill Cunningham)."
That depends on how the next city council will be made up of. Those that have sided with the mayor voted for city's overblown budget will soon be judged by the voters. Does Dan Johnson, chair of finance committee, who presided over the entire financial disaster deserve to be re-elected and sit again as the chair overlooking the budget for the next three years? If the voters do indeed voted against the mayor based on compute-gate, it will not surprise anyone for the rookies on the bottom of BCA seniority ladder to start pickings sides come May next year.
Political newcomers, especially minority candidates, such as Obama, always bring excitement and hope. Will these people be willing to abandon partisanship on the city hall and make the government more accountable and safeguard taxpayers' money? One questions what exactly are the duties of city councilors, certainly not as political allies of the mayor. Colleen Jordan and certainly Dan Johnson, chair of the finance committee should have sided with the opposition censured the mayor on his misjudgment. But the voters will make their own judgment and they will do that soon enough. In Coquitlam the governing party that held majority on council went out with the outgoing mayor three years. The voters will decide on how much independence should be required on our city council.
locally IS the NDP provincially and federally. "
You mean local NDP like Larry Campbell and provincial NDP like Ujjal Dosanjh? Enuff said.
Both are history as far as the NDP goes. Larry Campbell was COPE, which is not formally constitutionally tied to the NDP.
Neither are Burnaby NDPers.
"Would be too late for that. She would have already been nominated
and It's unlikely Corrigian would
be defeated. Besides if it is a federal Liberal writing that tripe, they should talk since the federal Liberals are notorious for
automated nominations (such as that given to Bill Cunningham)."
"That depends on how the next city council will be made up of. Those that have sided with the mayor voted for city's overblown budget will soon be judged by the voters."
Possible. But it's also possible the voters would accept their time in office. There's sensibilities in
keeping tax increases under control, but within reasonable limits.
"Does Dan Johnson, chair of finance committee, who presided over the entire financial disaster deserve to be re-elected and sit again as the chair overlooking the budget for the next three years?"
That depends on the voters. But more importantly, who would be his equivalent candidate on the alternative side? Ron Churchill?
Give it a rest.
"If the voters do indeed voted against the mayor based on compute-gate, it will not surprise anyone for the rookies on the bottom of BCA seniority ladder to start pickings sides come May next year."
Doesn't make much sense, since the
NDP is pretty much a unified and self contained entity.
"Political newcomers, especially minority candidates, such as Obama, always bring excitement and hope."
To the Americans, since Obama isn't a Canadian. Minority candidates usually end up no different than any other candidate once elected. You're also forgetting one basic thing. Once elected that elected politician represents all people, not just those who put him or her there, irregardless of ethnic origin.
"Will these people be willing to abandon partisanship on the city hall and make the government more accountable and safeguard taxpayers' money?"
That won't happen since there is partisanship on both sides of the equation.
"One questions what exactly are the duties of city councilors, certainly not as political allies of the mayor."
To represent the best interests of the city in terms of responsible voting and to provide decisions on by-law revisions, and the deliverance of city services to the citizens.
"Colleen Jordan and certainly Dan Johnson, chair of the finance committee should have sided with the opposition censured the mayor on his misjudgment."
Didn't have to.
But the voters will make their own judgment and they will do that soon enough. "
That decision may be different than what you expect.
In Coquitlam the governing party that held majority on council went out with the outgoing mayor three years. "
There was no real 'governing party'
in Coquitlam. It was just a collection of individuals running under a label. If there was a governing party such as ACE (Association of Coquitlam Electors)
then the statement would be valid.
The voters will decide on how much independence should be required on our city council.
Actually the voters don't do that. They elect those who they figure will do the ebst thing for the city.
Irregardless of the candidates being BCA, Team Bloy or Miscellaneous.
"That depends on the voters. But more importantly, who would be his equivalent candidate on the alternative side? Ron Churchill?
Give it a rest."
Rest? How so? The mayor's misjudgment has wasted 10 million dollars in the city budget and the chair of the finance committee not only had not censured the mayor, but rather has decided to "support" the mayor on his decision. One is not so sure what the duty as a chair on the finance committee is anymore. Again, anything other than inaction against "computer-gate" would have been appropriate.
"There was no real 'governing party'
in Coquitlam. It was just a collection of individuals running under a label. If there was a governing party such as ACE (Association of Coquitlam Electors)
then the statement would be valid."
Say what you like, Coquitlam First councilors voted with the mayor and all went out together. Certainly Mayor Corrigan should not take any loss personally since if the voters opted for a change of government, it is after all, their choice. True, Corrigan could have done many things that would have prevented some of the bad pres on him. But at the end of the day, it is the voters' decision, however powerful and talented Mayor Corrigan may be. If the people decide to vote for a change, then they will decide to put up eight independent councilors , in essence anyway, around the new mayor, again, as what had happened to Coquitlam in 2005.
Rest? How so? The mayor's misjudgment has wasted 10 million dollars in the city budget and the chair of the finance committee not only had not censured the mayor, but rather has decided to "support" the mayor on his decision. "
What do you expect? The same thing occurs every week with the BC Liberals. The Mayor was not directly responsible for the troubled computer system. He is only one vote on council.
"One is not so sure what the duty as a chair on the finance committee is anymore. Again, anything other than inaction against "computer-gate" would have been appropriate."
and there hasn't been equivalent political troubles in other places?
"There was no real 'governing party'
in Coquitlam. It was just a collection of individuals running under a label. If there was a governing party such as ACE (Association of Coquitlam Electors)
then the statement would be valid."
Say what you like, Coquitlam First councilors voted with the mayor and all went out together."
Coquitlam First was a farce to begin with. A mechanism for a few people to get paid. CF never disclosed where its campaign money came from. They were not legally obligated to, but if they were legitamate they would have disclosed.
Certainly Mayor Corrigan should not take any loss personally since if the voters opted for a change of government, it is after all, their choice. True, Corrigan could have done many things that would have prevented some of the bad pres on him. But at the end of the day, it is the voters' decision, however powerful and talented Mayor Corrigan may be. If the people decide to vote for a change, then they will decide to put up eight independent councilors , in essence anyway, around the new mayor, again, as what had happened to Coquitlam in 2005.
DOn't be so sure. The voters can decide one of many outcomes collectively. They may decide to keep Corrigan, a majority of BCA types and elect the independents and leave Team Burnaby out in the cold.
Not a bad outcome.
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