Gregor Robertson: The Artful Dodger–And STILL Not the Mayor of Vancouver
There are some extremely clever lines written by Charles Dickens. Many of them, I have often enjoyed, from the great classic, Oliver Twist. And each of those lines, were delivered, as narrative, about ‘The Artful Dodger’–one of the most celebrated pick-pockets in all of literary history.
The Dodger spent much time plying his craft for his boss Fagin, and even tried to corrupt young Oliver. But as often happens with those who believe they are invincible, untouchable, they get caught.
And so it is with Gregor Robertson and his dog’s breakfast of a mayoralty. Sad as it is, as well, that the majority of media don’t care about reporting the insanity that passes for policy at City Hall since December of 2008. When it comes to policies that hurt the public and their natural right for an even-handed discourse, with those whom represent them, there is a solemn obligation by us scribblers to do the public’s bidding, since they are without voice.
Mind, being a citizen without voice in Vancouver isn’t a zero-sum gain for everyone…oh, no. If you’re a perpetually stoned, anti-war/American/Israeli/Semitic/Christian/Jewish/progress, weekend tie-dye wearing, Che Guevara tattooed, no-bid contract-awarded, global warming alarmist, Salon Socialist, New Age activist-inheritor-hippie in an Armani suit that could find your way down to Mark Emery’s place, blindfolded, then you might be alright with this Vision Vancouver lot–you’re their constituency, my darling. Otherwise, YOU’RE SCREWED.
Case in point: When I broke the news earlier this year of just how horrifically the Granville Street and Howe Street shelters were being mismanaged, it irked the powers that be at 12th and Cambie, enough that they tried the intimidation run: Push my then 24 Hrs. colleague, Bill Tieleman, one of their coveted PR advisors, into positions that were antithetical (read: complete nonsense) to mine (I have a copy of a leaked email). But it didn’t work. My columns were read by every single politician engaged in the decision, provincial and municipal, and every single citizen affected and I am recognized by the citizen coalition now reforming, as the key to their (Pyrrhic) victory.
My positions, quite simply, were not about throwing people out on the street, but on how you house the homeless without bringing crime and indignity to existing neighbourhoods in Vancouver–AND, most importantly, how you consult with citizens PRIOR to implementing ANY initiative that might affect their families. The Mayor, whose inaugural speech included lines about “living in harmony” and not cowering “in the face of crime” (wonderfully incredible bullshit considering his dismal record on both) is, once again, dodging the responsibilities of his chain of office and oath.
The objectionable shelters are back open, we understand this, but to LIE that there was not enough time for consultation with neighbouring folks, and to co-opt willful dupe, Clr. Kerry Jang into, as he did earlier this year, offering up identical, insulting, pathetic rhetoric, is the kind of viral arrogance and malignant dismissiveness that does not belong in public office. Gregor Robertson and his ENTIRE Vision Vancouver caucus knew precisely that these shelters would need to be reopened–they knew it months ago. Where the hell did they think those homeless folks went? My house? It is such an infuriating position to have to listen to, considering these innocent people living along the Howe Street corridor were threatened, assaulted, spat-at, and generally tortured by the insane, crack-fueled behavior of dimebag-whores and two-bit drug dealers, until I did three columns back-to-back-to-back and then the rest of the media chimed in…and thankfully it was over.
But look at what that took to get some consultation: The Mayor convened a meeting, eventually, but only from a pre-approved list of stakeholders (eliminating anyone with a real objection), and that was only after ignoring months of emails (in the hundreds), pictures (in the thousands) and pleas from law-abiding citizens that their neighbourhood had been taken-over by thieves, pushers and hookers. I personally visited the area twice a week and there were nights, particularly in the early going, that the place, I swear, was not far from being war zone: One fine chap walked the streets nightly, with a two-foot machete because he was so high on crack that sleep wasn’t an option. I still have pictures of emaciated hookers defecating openly on the street; thugs, shagging half-conscious “partners” (both men and women) in the middle of the lanes and streets at 3am–hours before school children were off to a daycare not a half block away. It was an incredible spectacle. Eventually, the province stepped in, thanks to Rich Coleman, and the Mayor of Vancouver was forced to shut them both down. But in an extraordinary bit of stupidity, His Worship REFUSED to apologize to the aggrieved residents and generally dismissed their entirely legitimate concerns.
Roll forward to today, and tell me that after that kind of mind-numbing fiasco, a responsible public servant wouldn’t call forward the residents, with police and the province present and thoroughly explain the position of the city. Tell me, that a responsible Mayor wouldn’t feel the godamned obligation to let those people know that they are being protected.
I’m told by many of those fine folks living down by the shelters that the crime started PRIOR to the opening. In fact, as one resident puts it, “one of the more understandable zombies told me she heard from her dealer and social worker that the shelters were opening…and the dealing and hanging around started again BEFORE they opened”. Extraordinary.
But don’t tell Gregor Robertson or Kerry Jang or any of their Vision colleagues. Why? I’ll tell you. Because law-abiding citizens with legitimate safety concerns are being trumped by the sexed up story of how Vision is “trying to save lives” and “keep homeless people from perishing”
Horse feathers!
They just aren’t interested in doing anything except pandering to their base of perpetual bleeding hearts and vicious, militant social engineers. The concerns of families, small business people, the elderly and school kids in the area, be damned. And it’s a pattern with Vision as well. It isn’t enough to promise something during the election–and then deliver it like a bull in a china shop: You consult, EXTENSIVELY, before delivering anything. Remember the Burrard Bridge, with the bike lanes almost entirely empty except for Vision-supporting zombies and cycling fascists? How ’bout the debacle of the Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park Petting Zoo shuttering? No consultation there either, you say? What about the budget cuts? None there either. Their patent answer, of course, is to blame the NPA–a move Vision promised wouldn’t happen under their watch. ”We won’t be blaming anyone, before, just working with people to find answers”, or so said the Mayor of Vancouver at his third press conference of the year.
But this whole concept of consultation and fair warning is completely lost on Gregor Robertson and Vision Vancouver. They’re heartless and ruthless, unless, of course, you can deliver any of the constituencies that they will find in a couple of years, may well have slipped away, certainly enough that a NOW reorganizing NPA or a Vancouver First might benefit from.
Then again, who am I kidding. With the NPA deep in slumber, Suzanne Anton on her own and woefully ill-prepared to be leader (although she’s a very good councillor) and the developers and business people with projects in mid-phase, who would dare upset the Vision party? After all, they have politicized City Hall and the entire bureaucracy with enough far-left loons from either the NDP in B.C., in Ontario or the socialist wing of the Democrats down south, that almost anyone would be intimidated.
There is a marvelous act in Oliver Twist, well along, where the Dodger is eventually caught, and Dickens writes;
“With these words, the Dodger suffered himself to be led off by the collar, threatening, till he got into the yard, to make a parliamentary business of it…and then grinning in the officer’s face, with great glee and self-approval”.
Oh to dream…
Gregor Robertson, caught red-handed by many of us, not consulting with a huge swath of concerned citizens is nothing more than a continuation of the bait and switch campaign they committed to (read: lying to get in office)–that Mayor Robertson committed to. Clearly, it was nothing but a pack of bald-faced lies.
I’ll leave you with his own words; once again, from the Mayor’s inauguration;
“Over the next three years, we will consult (emphasis added)…we will rebuild confidence and ensure transparency and accountability”
Jolly Green Gregor, laughing, grinning from ear-to-ear…at all of us. The Artful Dodger indeed.
Just not collared.
Yet.
A brilliant analysis of what we have gone through. I knew you would come back to help us. Thank you Alex, you are a savior.
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I’m on it don’t worry. I’m always watching. Hang in there. What in the world are you doing up so early? I was just about to sign-off and catch a quick nap. Enjoy your day Tony.
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Hi Alex,
I read this article in 24Hours yesterday…it’s another example of no consultation.
“Ready or not, city plans to open shelters
Vancouver’s next two HEAT shelters for the homeless will open before affected communities are fully consulted, said a city councillor.
City staff remain in contact with direct stakeholders of two proposed sites in Kitsilano and the West End, which will open in less than two weeks, according to Coun. Kerry Jang.
However, any formal talks with the community and neighbours of the sites, such as an open house, have yet to take place.
“As soon as the [shelters] are ready we’ll have the open house, you know what I mean?” Jang said.
Asked to clarify, Jang responded, “After people move in.”
Shelter operators implemented a reservation system for clients to prevent line-ups, direct call line for concerned neighbours and a 40-person capacity limit at shelters in response to last year’s complaints over incidents at the HEAT shelters.
There is no shortage of demand for shelter spaces as two sites at 677 East Broadway and 1435 Granville Street operated at full capacity over the weekend.”
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Yes, I saw this. Incredible stupidity on Kerry’s part. Have no idea why he’s being like this.
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Hi Alex,
There’s an article in The Vancouver Sun by Lori Culbert, “West End’s first shelter to open today,” … Spencer Herbert blames the lack of funding by the BC Liberals as being the sole reason for the lack of “extensive consultations with the community before the shelter (s) opened….”
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Spencer is being an exceptional fool. Yes, I read his comments. He is simply supporting his left-wing brethren. Nothing more, nothing less. Unless he does something demonstrably different from his current station, he will become known as the provincial Hedy Fry, which, I gather, he is not astute enough to find offensive.
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Awesome commentary Alex! You are on the mark.
Now the parking rates. First it was vecause the Olympics took away the revenue and the City had to make it up, now I hear it’s because of business owners complaining about illegally parked cars. What a lie. Why not just own up to us honestly and say ythat you need the money.
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Complete agreement. Vision Vancouver is an organization of phonies, led by a puppet.
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it irked the powers that be at 12th and Cambie, enough that they tried the intimidation run: Push my then 24 Hrs. colleague, Bill Tieleman, one of their coveted PR advisers, into positions that were antithetical (read: complete nonsense) to mine (I have a copy of a leaked email).
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What’s with the 24 hour free rag. Why would the loons at city hall go to them they must know something most people dont. Must be a wink wink nudge nudge with the management (ie ex NDP premier Glen Clark)
Is Glen Clark it?
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No, Glen is long gone. But Bill is one of their strategists and sometimes uses his column to support them. By and large, he can be balanced, but not usually when it comes Vision or the certain NDP issues.
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Not sure if you’re suggesting that Gregor the Good is busy picking the pockets of the citizenry while opening houses of horrors (or whores) in the leafy suburbs of Vancouver, and changing the Hall on Cambie to Bleak House, but surely Gordie when there, was pretty good at changing by covert rezoning backstreet abortion clinics into front street abattoirs, in the verdant cross streets off Victoria Drive, all in the name, one supposes of promoting the messy business of what to do with that little mistake.
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Neither. What am suggesting is that he is a liar. Gregor promised one thing and is delivering entirely another. And I think Gordomatic was clear about abortion clinics, it was always a federal issue. As a moral issue, you are aware of my ongoing personal battle…
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Alex,
perfect synopsis. I am a resident of FCN who has decided to move out before FCN becomes the DTES – and in fact how long before all of Vancouver becomes a bankrupt hell hole of addicts, dealers, pimps and hookers. I was driving along Sunday listening to CKNW in the afternoon – who was that idiot host interviewing the manager of the Heat shelters who said on SUNDAY they did not know where the other downtown shelter was opening. He was referring to the shelter that opened MONDAY – less than 24 hours before it opened. I guess that must be Rich Coleman’s fault too??
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Of course, let’s blame everything on Rich. It is outrageous that no one in the media hasn’t taken Vision to task for LYING. They can’t not have known several mths ago that these shelters weren’t going to be necessary, as they had no plan in lieu of shelters. So where the hell did they think these folks were going to go? South for the winter? Ridiculous. Appreciate your fine comments. Pls visit again. Cheers!
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AGT – there were tradesmen working in the shelters at Howe and Granville in December. They are building showers, washrooms a kitchen and a supply room. If trades were there in December, permits were needed in November. Further we noticed the street element hanging around again before Christmas – jockeying for position I guess. Everyone knew long before except the residents of FCN. My next prediction – they wont shut down this year and will become a permanent fixture. The birkenstock mafia is in control and it seems no one but you and I give a crap about that.
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Yes, I’ve heard this and that’s why I wrote that it would be impossible for them to claim they didn’t know.
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Alex
Thanks again for your insight .and telling it like it is. It is clear to see that our Mayor is one huge coward and yes a LIAR . I cannot believe that Coleman has fallen for this again , now maybe he will think twice with the NDP power play ,,
And Kerry Jang .. he is beyond words .. just a piece of work .. What an arrogant .. SOB .. !!! Perhaps he has spent too much time building models and is on a continuous high.
I can only hope this crew gets kicked out big time next election.. you can bet i will be working for the anti VISION party .. God help us if he thinks he can become teh next premier .. if that happens im soooo out of here.
Keep up the good work
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You’re too kind. I’m doing it because you folks are being drowned out by liars and phonies. You should have a decent neighborhood, and before the Mayor meddled, you did! Bless you and good luck.
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Could be one of your greatest Alex. The way you described the people who Vision Vancouver support had me laughing so hard I had to stop reading for a minute. Really a great analysis of the situation.
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Alex,
almost a year ago, Oliver Twist’s story came to my mind in a very “twisted” way. I started writing a “note to self” for future use but then, I said to myself, nay… I felt I was too much ahead of the action and also afraid I was going to be stoned by the Visionistas. Since then, lots happened.
Your current Artful Dodger piece is right on the money!
I’ll only add the theme song from the movie “Oliver Twist”, which I believe goes “hand in pocket” with what’s going on at the Hall. We know who the Dodger is, the question remains who’s the Fagin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xedI5XxO59I
A thousands curtsies!
Glissando
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Thank you darling. Ah, someone who clued in to my allusion. You are a smart one! There are a number of people who comprise Fagin…but for that my darling, you’ll have to wait for the next installment of ‘As Gregor Turns, Vancouver Burns’… Bless you.
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Hi Alex, I finally got to read this one, it is difficult to keep up with your prolific debunking of the lies, which the MSM can’t spare the time to expose, being busy with all the irrelevant “important” happenings.
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Thx pal. Yeah, I try to throw out a few at a time now, instead of cherry picking through the dailies. Glad you’re enjoying the journey. Many blessings to you and yours.
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Right on the money Alex. If I had a buck for every time the mayor, Jang or RainCity shills spewed another lie about “all the changes we’ve made ” with this go-round of the Granville Ghetto, why, I’d have enough $ to buy permanent housing for these folk in a SUITABLE locale.
Pray tell, where can we throw our $ + support to get these goons OUT of here?? I’m referring to the next civic election not the shelter…
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Keep an eye here over the next year. There are some very influential people who are very worried about the Vision Vancouver boondoggle and are wondering how to extricate themselves from Vision’s clutches…long story. But a movement to replace them must begin this year.
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Amen to that. Thanks for continuing to call it like it is. Mainstream media will eventually catch on to winds of change – heck if even ol’ Al Garr can budge – imagine him coining the name Bubble Boy, gotta love that one!
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Allen has produced some very good ones over the years.
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