The Rank and File
TEAM Burnaby appears to be lining up their forces for their mid-September nomination meeting. However, four candidates - Anna Terrana, Amyn Lalji, Iven Tse and Irene Leung - appear to have special treatment as they appear on the slate's website.
posted by Robert Burnaby at 3:21 PM
35 Comments:
Figures.
These are the so-called "star candidates" actually worth very little to the voters.
If Team Burnaby was smart, they would either put the names of all nominees not just a selected few.
But what else is new with this manipulative group of marginal
politicos?
The candidates so far named are good. But what of the others? Are there even enough to fill a slate? Doesn't look like it.
Most importantly, what about the mayor candidate?
What's good about these candidates?
They seemed to have done extra time work within each of their respective comfort zones, and not really getting into the Big Picture of being an advocate for city wide issues or stepping out
into the wider sphere of the community.
The Mayor candidate will be Lee Rankin.
Big deal. Burnaby's worst kept and most boring political secret.
"They seemed to have done extra time work within each of their respective comfort zones, and not really getting into the Big Picture of being an advocate for city wide issues or stepping out into the wider sphere of the community."
It is good that they have lawyers running. With the party still in debt, and having to compete against IV for campaign donations, it is likely these candidates will have to finance themselves. It is almost looking like Lee Rankin trying to cash in on the candidates. Milk the cow, if you will.
So now you have three candidates directly associated with party leadership and two lawyers running to become candidates. Why do I have a feeling more party leadership will have to be ready to step down and run. It will especially hard if these candidates will have to come up with some cash to support Lee Rankin's run against Mayor Corrigan. Did I mention that the party is in debt right now? Did people come out to support TB because of BCLIB, or did they do so because of Lee Rankin and Raymond Leung. Let us not be naive here.
BCLIB need to start closing in to establish its base in both IV and TB, having Garth taking on Lee will have the losing side forever bitter against the other camp. To quote Rankin, “In every election in Burnaby there are independents, and they usually get drowned out by the major parties,". For Richard Lee to endorse Lee Rankin against Garth Begin, how exactly does he plan to get re-elected. Interesting scenario, but I hope that BCLIB MLA's will at least attempt to unite the anti-NDP factions. To quote Councilor Jordan “If [BCA] are elected again this time, we will be the longest-serving socialist government in Canada,” “That will mean longer than the NDP in Saskatchewan.”.
"It is good that they have lawyers running."
Lawyers make the worst politicians
"With the party still in debt, and having to compete against IV for campaign donations, it is likely these candidates will have to finance themselves."
Probably. But who would be crying over that one?
"It is almost looking like Lee Rankin trying to cash in on the candidates. Milk the cow, if you will. "
More than likely milk the appendage on the bull, but we won't go there.
"So now you have three candidates directly associated with party leadership and two lawyers running to become candidates."
Special privileges for a few it seems.
"Why do I have a feeling more party leadership will have to be ready to step down and run. It will especially hard if these candidates will have to come up with some cash to support Lee Rankin's run against Mayor Corrigan."
It will take bucks to unseat Corrigian, and the BCA, but money does not itself win campaigns. There has to be talent and also those who are knowledgeable about Burnaby to run the campaign probably.
"Did I mention that the party is in debt right now?"
Not exactly breaking news. That party has been in debt since the day after the 2005 civic campaign.
"Did people come out to support TB because of BCLIB, or did they do so because of Lee Rankin and Raymond Leung. Let us not be naive here. "
Let's not be dumb either, but there is cause to think that some actually believe that Raymond Leung is a sharp pencil when it comes to politics. In reality that is far from being the truth.
"BCLIB need to start closing in to establish its base in both IV and TB, having Garth taking on Lee will have the losing side forever bitter against the other camp."
BC LIB does not have to do anything and they should focus on the next provincial election.
This concept of BCLIB must be doing something is just for a few to protect their behinds.
"To quote Rankin, “In every election in Burnaby there are independents, and they usually get drowned out by the major parties,".
To quote a former Minister of Health:
"Politics is too serious to be a hobby. On with the show!"
"For Richard Lee to endorse Lee Rankin against Garth Begin, how exactly does he plan to get re-elected. "
Who the hell is Garth Begin??
Interesting scenario, but I hope that BCLIB MLA's will at least attempt to unite the anti-NDP factions. "
Ain't going to happen since the only way for that to happen is the two factions to actually listen to the BCLIB MLAs. Personally I'd tell every one of them to screw off.
"To quote Councilor Jordan “If [BCA] are elected again this time, we will be the longest-serving socialist government in Canada,” “That will mean longer than the NDP in Saskatchewan.”.
Yeah so?
Socialist ideaology doesn't really occur at the civic level as it does at the provincial or federal level.
But if that happens, the blame is with Team Burnaby. They are not a team but just a bunch of power hungry idiots trying to do alot to protect Lee Rankin and his influences.
Team Burnaby could have evolved into something that would mean alot of people would want to be a part of, and attract high calibre leaders from the business community and the community of groups providing civic service to all Burnaby citizens.
It would also attract the seasoned political people who would not hesitate to donate a few weeks of volunteer time to help out.
What the result is today is pathetic. A civic party that has lost alot of credibility and seems to do nothing more than be critical of its opponents at a Grade 6 level and attracts low quality candidates compared to other political groups.
The results in November if it is the BCA? Team Burnaby's leadership will be to blame for that one, and no one else.
"Socialist ideaology doesn't really occur at the civic level as it does at the provincial or federal level.
But if that happens, the blame is with Team Burnaby. They are not a team but just a bunch of power hungry idiots trying to do alot to protect Lee Rankin and his influences."
Doesnt it? If our own councilor has already declared in something that resembles a victory speech that BCA is about to become the longest serving socialist government, then I guess it does matter somewhat. Why does it matter? It matters because it will solidify the support for BCNDP for are people still naive about local politics is independent of provincial politics.
But enough about BCA. My point was it does not matter if Richard Lee decides to back Lee Rankin against his friend to score, hopefully, a few more political points. If BCLIB MLA's such as Harry Bloy and Richard Lee decide to endorse TB, then they need to understand the consequences. There is still a month and while TB and IV are on the same collision course each with their own set of beliefs, BCLIB have the responsibility to help TB see the bigger picture. Otherwise, BCLIB should be ready to face a lot of opposition come next May. With NDP dominating the city hall and federal politics, one wonders if the MLA's in the city ever felt they were in the position of power. As for their re-election, we all know who showed up to support TB, and there is no doubt Mayor Corrigan will do what he can to have Harry Bloy and Richard Lee fall hard along with their TB friends. As for John Nuraney, we already know what a touch campaign he will be running against the mayor's wife.
Divide and conquer. This simple principle has been proven right and right again. With the two factions supposed friendly to BCLIB cannibalizing each other, all they have to do is to stay away from the fireworks and make sure TB defeat their "independent" former allies, and then have TB wiped out of the council. Once they do that, they will simply turn their aim at Harry Bloy and Richard Lee who put the entire TB opposition together. And if Carole James at the end of the day forms the government in Victoria, it is very possible that we may not see Richard, Harry or John for at least a decade.
But I hope something that resembles Communist China occupy the city and having BCLIB vs. BCNDP polarization is good for the sake of democracy. Will unity 08 happen? It is possible, for the sake of both TB and IV, for the sake of BCLIB, and for the sake of the voters who want to see a change. But we are seeing people who dont know their place in the quest of power and are jumping out way too soon. Unless the power vacuum in the opposition ends with a unified plan against Mayor Corrigan, one can only expect for the worst.
"Doesnt it? If our own councilor has already declared in something that resembles a victory speech that BCA is about to become the longest serving socialist government, then I guess it does matter somewhat."
She is just stating a bit of a stretch of fact. The BCA has been in government since 1988, but she is partially wrong when it comes to being a "socialist government" since socialist direction doesn't exist much at the civic level
"Why does it matter? It matters because it will solidify the support for BCNDP for are people still naive about local politics is independent of provincial politics. "
Partially true, but civic politics in order to function should be kept seperate from provincial or federal since civic governments operate independently and are not
100% dependent on provincial parties (for example it is only in the larger cities that civic parties exist).
"But enough about BCA. My point was it does not matter if Richard Lee decides to back Lee Rankin against his friend to score, hopefully, a few more political points."
That doesn't really matter to the voting public. They will choose whom they figure is the better person to oversee the civic government. What this is about is power and influence wanted by the BC Liberals and not much more.
"If BCLIB MLA's such as Harry Bloy and Richard Lee decide to endorse TB, then they need to understand the consequences."
That's an odd statement since it was Harry who was front and centre in the formation of Team Burnaby from the beginning, but again the ordinary voter isn't going to put much weight on Harry or Richard or John in their voting decision.
"There is still a month and while TB and IV are on the same collision course each with their own set of beliefs, BCLIB have the responsibility to help TB see the bigger picture."
BCLIB has no 'responsibility'. It's a fallicy put together by those who figure they want to inflience the direction of civic politics. There's no real need for it to exist.
"Otherwise, BCLIB should be ready to face a lot of opposition come next May."
and why not? It would be good for them to get the test of real opposition. They have had it too easy for too long.
"With NDP dominating the city hall and federal politics, one wonders if the MLA's in the city ever felt they were in the position of power."
Only the political hacks within the BC Liberals worry about that.
"As for their re-election, we all know who showed up to support TB, and there is no doubt Mayor Corrigan will do what he can to have Harry Bloy and Richard Lee fall hard along with their TB friends."
If Richard and Harry get defeated it will be because of voter disaffection with Gordon Campbell, and how well the NDP is in campaigning. They were weak in 2005
and they will probably not let that happen again.
"As for John Nuraney, we already know what a touch campaign he will be running against the mayor's wife. "
Well it will be good for him. He's had a easy time of it, and now its time for the real test for him and his campaign people.
"Divide and conquer. This simple principle has been proven right and right again. With the two factions supposed friendly to BCLIB cannibalizing each other, all they have to do is to stay away from the fireworks and make sure TB defeat their "independent" former allies, and then have TB wiped out of the council."
Wel if Team Burnaby wasn't acting like the group of jerks they were, none of this situation would have occured.
"Once they do that, they will simply turn their aim at Harry Bloy and Richard Lee who put the entire TB opposition together. And if Carole James at the end of the day forms the government in Victoria, it is very possible that we may not see Richard, Harry or John for at least a decade. "
So what?
But I hope something that "resembles Communist China occupy the city and having BCLIB vs. BCNDP polarization is good for the sake of democracy."
Communist China? That's a real stretch of the imagination there.
"Will unity 08 happen? It is possible, for the sake of both TB and IV, for the sake of BCLIB, and for the sake of the voters who want to see a change."
Forget it. Ain't going to happen. Team Burnaby is already playing favourites with its own 'chosen' candidates (look at who gets their
bio on the website first ahead of anyone else seeking nomination. The best thing is to wait until
most of the nominations are in, let's say a week and a half before the nomination meeting. But Team Burnaby has taken the dumb route on that one.
" But we are seeing people who dont know their place in the quest of power and are jumping out way too soon. Unless the power vacuum in the opposition ends with a unified plan against Mayor Corrigan, one can only expect for the worst.
If Team Burnaby wins a majority on council and the Mayor's chair, that will be the worst.
Team Burnaby isn't looking like a good democratic civic party right now. Seems to be nothing more than something for Lee Rankin and his supporters.
Team Burnaby's best candidate is Dino Infanti if he runs. Whether its IV or TB whoever Dino will be running for will do well. He's a CA and a former Cliff Ave. United Star Footballer/Soccer Player.
Lee is lucky to have this guy run. The BCLIBS actually should sign this free agent as he is pretty well established in the Burnaby Business scene.
Dino Infanti?
Who the hell is he?
Well established in the Business Community? How so?
He's not listed on their website of "favourite candidates".
Favourite as in "former directors"?
I however hope TB have dish out millionaire candidates so by outspending Mayor Corrigan like Dino, maybe they will have a chance. They cant possibly rely their entire fundraising campaign on a single mayoral candidate, especially if it is Lee Rankin.
"I however hope TB have dish out millionaire candidates so by outspending Mayor Corrigan like Dino, maybe they will have a chance. "
Not nessesarily. Money doesn't win campaigns.
They cant possibly rely their entire fundraising campaign on a single mayoral candidate, especially if it is Lee Rankin
They can't rely on Lee Rankin to carry a Team Burnaby majority, either.
If it is a choice between Rankin and Corrigan, might as wel vote for Corrigan (despite his legendary arrogance).
Dino Infanti?
Who the hell is he?
Well established in the Business Community? How so?
He's the guy pictured with Cliff Ronning, the ex-Canuck in the TB website. He single handily sold the most tables at the last TB Fundraiser. Lee has to carry Dino's jock strap. Lee is nothing without Dino. I would rather see Dino run than Lee.
There was a poll conducted by TB on a Lee vs. Corrigan straight up contest done by Angus Reid. Well, it wasn't pretty.
I heard that Lee has suspended his law practice to get ready for the election but if the latest poll is correct he may have to find another day job, like cleaning Burnaby Lake.
How many of these candidates put their names forward without having their arm twisted.
Also how much of their own money will they have to put up to run.
"Lee has to carry Dino's jock strap"
Eeeeeewwwwwww..
Oh well some want to be politicians will do anything to get elected.
"How many of these candidates put their names forward without having their arm twisted.
Also how much of their own money will they have to put up to run."
True, hunger for power does make people do unwise things, like how TB and IV cannot work together. But I personally would not go that far as some of the previous bloggers have suggested, but I too do not think that Lee Rankin can fully finance his campaign with his own donors, let alone trying to get his friends on TB's board elected. But, with rich friends self-financing their own mayoral bid thus removing Lee Rankin, they maybe just be able to buy out IV too. What better way to remove a socialist government by simply out-spending them for the votes.
"True, hunger for power does make people do unwise things, like how TB and IV cannot work together."
Why would they? Team Burnaby treated Begin, and Evans like junk and why would there be any need to work together. Team Burnaby is not exactly the only option out there for candidates.
Again it comes back to Team Burnaby and how a few treated others (and not just Begin and Evans).
"But I personally would not go that far as some of the previous bloggers have suggested, but I too do not think that Lee Rankin can fully finance his campaign with his own donors, let alone trying to get his friends on TB's board elected. "
He did try to get his friends on the TB Board and succeeded.
"But, with rich friends self-financing their own mayoral bid thus removing Lee Rankin, they maybe just be able to buy out IV too."
Not going to happen.
What better way to remove a socialist government by simply out-spending them for the votes.
Money doesn't win campaigns. It helps but isn't a sole reason for winning. One can only buy so many signs and ads in the paper, and beyond that it gets into the ridiculous areas of paying so-called campaign experts way too much for what should be a volunteer session.
Anyone who figures alot of money is the sole reason for electoral success is fooling themselves.
I've seen tons of money spent on campaigns only to have the candidate lose, and I've seen a very low budget campaign, in which the candidate won.
It gets down to successful marketing to the voters and having the voters think you're good enough to pay for for four years to represent them on council.
"It gets down to successful marketing to the voters and having the voters think you're good enough to pay for for four years to represent them on council."
Actually, it is three years.
But the point is that campaigning is not free. If you want to get the votes out, then you will have to spend money. And sometimes the full-term financial compensation on the council does not come close. But politics is mostly about poower. If it takes a million dollars to run Mayor Corrigan down for a job that pays half that in three years, would someone want to do it? Of course there will, Arnold practically worked for California for free, same goes for Mayor Bloomberg. It is too much for us to expect Lee Rankin or his friends on the board that want to get elected to take $1 pay for their services if elected, but the point is simple and clear.
But that crucial question is, exactly how much money, or campaigning can they do to obtain the mayoral seat and council majority. Putting aside how much money and support they can get. Even if each candidate can come out a million dollar campaign donations to launch a ten-million campaign fest in a city with less than half a million people, can they win? Maybe, if they send the money to the voters in the form of cash, but that will be illegal.
According to my calcuation, if they are to elect themselves a majority on the council and win the mayoral seat within three months, anything less than a million will be a joke, and it will be difficult to get even a tenth of that. Otherwise, Lee Rankin can forget becoming the mayor so that he can go around the town giving toasts and photo-ops.
"But the point is that campaigning is not free. If you want to get the votes out, then you will have to spend money."
True, but the money has to be spent efficiently and wisely. No sense in spending excessive amounts of money on "paid positions" when the same amount can be applied to advertising.
"And sometimes the full-term financial compensation on the council does not come close."
It's not supposed to.
But politics is mostly about poower. If it takes a million dollars to run Mayor Corrigan down for a job that pays half that in three years, would someone want to do it?
Of course there will, Arnold practically worked for California for free, same goes for Mayor Bloomberg. It is too much for us to expect Lee Rankin or his friends on the board that want to get elected to take $1 pay for their services if elected, but the point is simple and clear.
Different sceario since Ah-nold had previously made millions on his pictures and Bloomberg had made his pile in business. Lee doesn't have that luxury.
Jim Pattison took $1.00 for overseeing the development of Expo 86, but that's because he made his pile in business.
"But that crucial question is, exactly how much money, or campaigning can they do to obtain the mayoral seat and council majority."
Depends on how the campaign is run and what direction it takes. Some campaigns are strategy based, others are advertising based and others are a blend of both.
"Putting aside how much money and support they can get. Even if each candidate can come out a million dollar campaign donations to launch a ten-million campaign fest in a city with less than half a million people, can they win?"
No.
Maybe, if they send the money to the voters in the form of cash, but that will be illegal.
And also very stupid politically.
According to my calcuation, if they are to elect themselves a majority on the council and win the mayoral seat within three months, anything less than a million will be a joke, and it will be difficult to get even a tenth of that.
If you figure $1 million is what it will take, you are joking.
Otherwise, Lee Rankin can forget becoming the mayor so that he can go around the town giving toasts and photo-ops
Hpefully that might end being the end result and also Team Burnaby going Pffft.
This "big money" campaign concept is just silly.
Get yourself a few high quality recognizable candidates, add in a
good advertising and get out the vote scheme, and dedicated people who will volunteer (not expecting to get paid so they get their Hawaiian or Club Med vacation paid for) plus good soild workable policy that the voters will go for and you've got your majority.
Whats with the huge posts. Does anyone putting messages on this site have a life.
Dont you know people only read the first few paragraphs at most.
"Get yourself a few high quality recognizable candidates, add in a
good advertising and get out the vote scheme, and dedicated people who will volunteer (not expecting to get paid so they get their Hawaiian or Club Med vacation paid for) plus good soild workable policy that the voters will go for and you've got your majority."
I dont know. TB seems to be running out of candidates now that their directors are running themselves. And TB simply does not have the grassroot organization that BCA has. Unless you can pay people to hold signs, it is unlikely to have the same number of volunteers that Mayor Corrigan has.
Well Team Burnaby was almost there last time.
They paid some idiot to put up their signs during the last election, based on looking at the election expense reports. The sign crews are by tradition volunteers.
The campaign pays for the gas and for two Super Size deals at McDonalds.
As for volunteers, who as a real serious and dedicated volunteer in politics would want to volunteer for that party? It's a one man show and rampant with deceit.
Well Team Burnaby was almost there last time.
They paid some idiot to put up their signs during the last election, based on looking at the election expense reports. The sign crews are by tradition volunteers.
The campaign pays for the gas and for two Super Size deals at McDonalds.
As for volunteers, who as a real serious and dedicated volunteer in politics would want to volunteer for that party? It's a one man show and rampant with deceit.
TB - it's infectious.
Now cough up.
If it is infectious it should be
exposed to a washdown of anti-infection and anti-biotic agents.
A disinfectant (strong) and antiseptic would also help.
And don't forget the barf bags.
Now that's would be a good purge.
Essential.
The way Team Burnaby has handled their politics since January is enough to make any voter barf.
WTF?
http://www.canada.com/burnabynow/news/story.html?id=83b1e3bb-ab0a-4297-aede-c04978b79877
One staff member leaves, he's not well and ... ???
That must have been some seriously top-ranking staff member that left, eh?
If it is a health problem then we wish Harry a speedy recovery.
But Harry has always been a bit much to handle.
He's not the most friendliest person to be around.
And he's probably friendly enough not to sue.
Doesn't have much of a case, except the case of Coke in the office.
His yelling and longevity of bullying is enough for anyone to back off from him.
Was harry denying them bathroom breaks again?
THat and probably worse.
He refused to restock the toilet paper in the can.
ah yes
it's always the infrastructure problems that bring down the big guys, eh?
You bet.
Critical movements always have to be taken care of first.
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