BREAKING NEWS: While 2010 Olympic Athletes Sleep, Mayor Gregor Robertson Asleep at the Switch…
In the fallout from the January 21st dismissal of nationally recognized and highly respected Vancouver Chief Electrical Inspector, Ark Tsisserev, are some very compelling reasons to believe the endless accusations that Vision Vancouver have allowed City Manager Penny Ballem, who they hired just over a year ago without an open process, to politicize the city staff at an unprecedented–and entirely unhealthy–level.
This writer has obtained confidential emails between Mr. Tsisserev and various colleagues, wherein the former Electrical Safety Chief is most concerned that the fire alarm systems used in the Olympic Village may be “problematic” and asks for “immediate steps” to be taken. These emails are as recent as the waning days of November 2009. In them, the alarm in Mr. Tsisserev’s words is utterly palpable.
In one pivotal excerpt, he writes:
“If the system fails (i.e. it behaves as described…), the equipment must be rejected (emphasis added) under Rule 2-026 of the CEC Code.”
Shockingly, this is an email sent by Mr. Tsisserev only at the end of November, meaning, that there was a serious concern about the fire alarm systems installed at the Olympic Village, not ten weeks before the arrival of thousands of athletes to that very place, for recreation and lodging.
In another frightening excerpt from an email, again by Mr. Tsisserev, a clear description of the problem:
“When a radio is used within about 1 ft. of an annunciator, it causes the LCD screen to go blank, then the panel to go into a reboot mode and the LCD zones to look like a Xmas tree, which appears to require a manual reset to get the panel up and running again.
This condition was confirmed numerous times, on 3 annunciators in different buildings at the site. While the panel was in this mode, it did not register new alarm activations, and new activations did not trigger an audible alarm. The annunciators operated normally after they were reset, but the same reboot process started again when a radio was used near them.”
In other words, after the first alarm registered, the malfunction took place and then the subsequent reset, resulting in NO AUDIBLE alarm being set off for any following cause. Now, imagine your horror as an inspector responsible for life safety issues upon reading this email stream.
Thus, any first responder (fireman, security guard, manager, etc.) would not be able to approach the unit with any walkie-talkie or two-way device for fear of inducing electromagnetic interference that would cause a system failure.
If you want a view of how these panels are reported to malfunction, you can see two clips, here and here. The panels are manufactured by Edwards (bought by General Electric) and are the EST III FAS model. To provide you with an idea of how these problems can arise, no device is absolutely foolproof. Proper wiring and installation ability, for example, can affect even the purest product and it can sometimes take months or years to fix (in fact a major Vancouver shopping center is currently going through a “system maintenance” for precisely the same problems with the same panel installed a few years ago).
In a previous career as a senior real estate executive, I learned a great deal from some of the very people now under siege at City Hall. Mr. Tsisserev and his twenty or so colleagues are, largely, some of the best of the 6,000 city employees you’d ever be privileged to meet. Capable and honest, these are surely the kind of employees you’d want to keep for as long as possible. They know their business. And along with the superb building inspectors crew are the reason why you don’t hear about too many of these issues arising. They’re that good.
Hence, to the consummate professional, the angst would have hit a crisis-point rather quickly.
And the distress couldn’t have been more obvious; continued Mr. Tsisserev:
“…the fact is that the discovered deficiency not only voids approval of the equipment, but represents an obvious life safety risk, (emphasis added) and it has to be dealt with immediately.”
Describing these statements as disturbing, understates the case so very considerably. Here was Canada’s most recognized authority on electrical/life safety issues sounding the alarm (pun unintended); here was Mr. Tsisserev, in his capacity as Vancouver electrical chief, wanting answers (and solutions, as immediately as possible) to an issue which everyone knew was coming to a head not two months later, if not sooner.
We have been reminded, after all, ad nauseam, that “the world is coming”.
Well, don’t we then have a bloody responsibility to make their athletes SAFE while they’re our guests?
Fortress Investments was paid out by the City of Vancouver while Millenium Developments was hauling bricks and mortar; it’s now the city’s responsibility, at the end of the proverbial day, to deliver the Village and there was Vancouver’s electrical boss taking, at the very least, precautionary measures.
But was anybody that could do anything listening?
The long list of players becomes summarily overwhelming, but few, if any, would go on the record. Said one city employee to me, this morning, “Have you seen what this new group running council have done around here? They’ve gotten rid of some of the best staffers ever and they replaced them with a bunch of granolas that have nowhere near the experience they need. No way they’re gonna get my vote again. And besides, I got kids to feed, buddy. This is all off the record, right? No names please. These Vision bastards are ruthless”
Indeed.
Not ten weeks after honourably blowing the whistle on this issue, January 21st, Arkady Tsisserev was dismissed. Why? His position at the city was “eliminated”.
Imagine: You’ve gone to bat for the safety of all the people who will ever occupy the most controversial property ever built-out in this city; you’re a nationally recognized authority in your field and have given Vancouver 20 years of your life in an exemplary manner. On the day his notice was delivered, Mr. Tsisserev was escorted to his office and then dismissed in front of his staff–period (while others received sixty days notice). No send-off, no flowers, no Canucks tickets, champagne–nothing. Someone wanted this man gone, and fast. But why? He was, in fact, told that his dismissal was due to “budgetary cutbacks” and that was it.
Really?
Mr. Tsisserev’s hiring was done by city council and therefore, according to the Vancouver Charter, exempt from dismissal for budgetary constraints. But don’t tell that to the person responsible for city staff.
I called the office of controversial and ham-fisted City Manager Dr. Penny Ballem this morning, hoping that she could offer some information on this most peculiar and troubling matter. “I’m sorry, Dr. Ballem’s off-site today at a media event for the Olympics”, said an assistant. “I’ll let her know you’ve called.”
A half hour later I received a call back from Wendy Stewart, a public relations staffer at City Hall. After explaining that there was a growing concern among electrical contractors and city staffers about what may or may not be the case at the Olympic Village, she responded by saying simply this, “Well, um, yeah, that’s an interesting perspective, for sure. How ’bout I get back to you this afternoon”
After that kind of mindless nothingness, I didn’t expect a call back, and she didn’t disappoint me. Neither did Dr. Ballem who has been hiding from all other members of the media on this matter as well.
Then I called the forever illustrious and increasingly snappy Kevin Quinlan, press demigodlet to the Mayor. After about ten minutes of wrangling and some of the worst, textbook efforts at deflection I’ve ever had the misfortune to hear, I almost had to plead for a response as to what the Mayor and his staff were doing to ensure that under Dr. Ballem’s watch, staff were not being intimidated, politicized, mistreated, or worse yet, that the safety of even one Olympic Village athlete was in jeopardy in case of fire.
Young Kevin’s repsonse, verbatim:
“Listen Alex, all this stuff you and other (journalists) are asking about is just rumours and innuendo. You can’t expect me to give you a legal opinion! Frankly, I don’t know what electrical are saying or these emails that you claim you have.”
For the benefit of those keeping score, the Mayor’s media handler, in full deflection-mode, considers emails from concerned city staff, “rumours” and “innuendo.”
Well, what about letters from the industry, that have been pouring into the Mayor’s office, asking for Mr. Tsisserev’s immediate reinstatement and claiming there might be something awry at the Olympic Village?
In a letter written to Mayor Robertson by Deborah Cahill, the Executive Director of the Electrical Contractors of British Columbia, she states the following.
“Our members believe the electrical safety of the City has been compromised by (Mr. Tsisserev’s) removal from office (emphasis added)…the Canadian Electrical Code is a document that is open to interpretation by the various stakeholders who are governed by it. As such there are occasions when rulings by electrical safety officers are disputed by our members who have completed the installations. In these instances Mr. Tsisserev has been the person to hear our contractor’s appeals. What better person to perform this function then the chairman of the Canadian Electrical Code Committee for the last three editions of the electrical code book. Mr. Tsisserev has always been fair and thorough with his decisions for the industry.”
“I’ll tell you it’s been real hectic around here with the amount of mail we’ve been getting. We’ve been busy with more important stuff.”
Oh dear.
This is completely in keeping with the inanity of the statements Mayor Robertson made this past weekend to the CTV Vancouver’s award-winning (and exceptional) reporter Lisa Rossington. Said the Mayor, “I don’t really know anything about it, I’m just doing a lot of Olympic stuff”.
Think about it: An outstanding employee is fired after he spent the last two months of his tenure seeking answers to safety concerns about the Olympic Village that would be filled to the brim by unsuspecting Olympic athletes from all over the world not ten weeks from when Mr. Tsisserev discovered something might be wrong. In the midst of, presumably, seeking corrections, that exemplary employee is unceremoniously marched out of his office like a common thug, in front of his staff, and the Mayor of this City, while having received dozens of notes and letters about this most disquieting matter, “knows nothing about it.”
Right?
I don’t believe him either.
In the interim, Mr. Tsisserev has retained storied lawyer Russ Chamberlain, not your garden variety legal genius, but one whose hiring alone is said to strike fear in the hearts of opposing counsel–for the purpose of “settling” with the City of Vancouver.
But what does that matter? Safety issues? C’mon…
The Mayor, his staff and Dr. Ballem have been busy with more important things.
Last word goes to Mr. Quinlan, who disappointingly has become the embodiment of the innate, socialist elitism and blithe, joyful dismissiveness ushered to City Hall by Vision Vancouver, and only serves to further illustrate, by his actions, in rather vibrant if not blinding colour, that Gregor Robertson revolutionaries will stop at nothing to hide the truth from the public.
When I asked him this morning what the Mayor was doing about the brewing scandal, Mr. Quinlan responded:
“I called Penny Ballem about this whole thing just today”
After months of a swirling problem about a property the city spent $500,000,000 to bail out; only after a little prodding of the Mayor by us cretins in the media did he get a break from the deluge of Olympic cocktail parties, high-tea, streamers and noise-makers, to have a staffer find out if an honourable man was fired without cause or if thousands of visitors and athletes to Vancouver are at all safe in their beds.
Now, THAT I believe…
UNBELIEVABLE–is this the same NDP party that wants me to volunteer my time to repeal the NO BC HST?
[Translate]
Those would the ones, darling.
[Translate]
I was curious about fire safety by-laws and this is what I found…
CITY OF VANCOUVER FIRE BY-LAW 2007
The City of Vancouver Fire By-law (VFBL) 2007 is currently not available for sale.
Send us an email request and we will contact you as soon as it is available.
[Translate]
VERY interesting…..
[Translate]
OH MY GOD! This has to be the biggest Olympics story yet! Alex honestly, well done. I have no idea how you do this stuff but you really put these guys in their place.
[Translate]
Thx. All in a day’s work…and then some.
[Translate]
Outstanding work Tsakumis. I also voted for these people and they won’t see my vote again. Kudos to you. While you are breaking news vision and their friends are breaking wind.
[Translate]
You are not alone. I get so many emails from people who will not vote for Vision Vancouver and Gregor Robertson ever again. They did this to themselves. Life safety issues are not a political football.
[Translate]
The winner takes it all. Unbelievable piece of work Mr. T. The winner takes it all. But you better get ready for the smear job against you. You did this in the middle of their moment on the world stage. Hey by the way, are you going to do a piece on that Sam sullivan? The stuff in the NYT was awful. Who writes this stuff for him ALex?
[Translate]
I don’t know but let me tell you, Sam is one of the most dangerous men in Canada. His ideas are pure insanity and he has found a way to use his disability to fund his insanity. He is as vile as any of the master manipulators I’ve ever met in politics.
[Translate]
Good job Alex.
Wouldn’t that be something though for a fire or some electrical problem to occur?
Heaven forbid if anything were to happen to the athletes in that village. Munich without the terrorists.
Gregor and his cohorts would be finished, their careers down the drain in an instant.
If that could happen without a disaster and loss of life, I’d take it in a heartbeat.
These Vision bastards, Ballum, their sycophants and the left wing nuts they hired need to go NOW!
[Translate]
Thx Glen. They really are over-the-top on this one. They fired the man for being competent. That’s my feeling. It’s obvious from the timeline and the evidence that someone didn’t like the attention Mr. Tsisserev was creating. He engineered himself a dismissal. His diligence is not welcome at Ballem’s City Hall. And worst yet, if there is a problem…the Mayor and his suite shold have been all over this when it first broke. Shame!
[Translate]
What a terrific piece! Where is the media on this? At best a few touched on the subject when it first arose .. but that was it. Really needs some hard follow up, questionning to the Mayor and Council ..and some tough investigation. … if the media can tear themselves away from gushing all over their own carrying of the torch!
[Translate]
A real privilege to receive praise from British Columbia’s most celebrated investigative reporter. Good question about the media! Many of them come here, albeit surreptitiously… I, too, think it’s pathetic that ANY members of the media would run with the torch. If it’s Gailus or Mark Madryga, that’s fine. But Don Martin of the Post had no business doing that. And so many others. Their objectivity gets bought. Thank you again for the compliment, Harvey. I’m privileged to know you.
[Translate]
Nor the CBC’s, Ian Hanomansing, I might add.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2640903560101826882PwRIom
[Translate]
Yes, quite ridiculous.
[Translate]
And today Stephen Quinn is hosting The Early Edition on CBC this morning ’cause Cluff is having a go at it too.
I support Cluff in his endeavor today, because I much prefer listening to Quinn.
[Translate]
Hey RS,
I think the world of Stephen Quinn. He’s a super guy and a very good CBC radio man. I enjoy his shows. He also has a very keen intellect and the ability to cut through the nonsense many politicians shovel. Stephen was particularly effective in dealing with Sam Sullivan’s press people. Everytime he saw one, his bullshit detectors went into red alert!! LOL!
[Translate]
Congrats Alex, Excellent expose, I am sure you will not let this one be “buried” under the Olympic “dazzled” MSM.
[Translate]
Thx Pedro. Yeah, it took quite a bit of digging and whole battery and a half of cell time. Next mths bill will be five hundred for sure. Much appreciation for your kind words.
[Translate]
Very good reporting of an important story. The shallowness of these apparatchik spinmeisters never ceases to amaze, and to add injury to insult we all know that when they are finally shown the door they’ll walk away with a pocket full of taxpayer cash.
But why worry about fire safety as long as Mr Robertson and Kitty look fluffy on the cover of Pet Connection?
[Translate]
Thx David. Very witty… Robertson and Kitty…I love that! Much appreciation for your pithy comments here.
[Translate]
I believe that things have only just begun…
Alex, what an amazing piece of journalism, well done sir, and many thanks.
[Translate]
Thank you George. How’s the weather over there? Getting colder I bet. I really appreciate your comment.
[Translate]
Hey Alex great story man! Frances Bula was right, you are the Tsakuminator! I agree that you will have to brace yourself because you shot these guys between the eyes right before the Olympics are starting. That won’t be cool with Greggie or the greggettes.
[Translate]
I reported what was there. In fact, I have to credit CTV and Lisa Rossington. When she was interviewing Gregor, there looked like there was something more there than what he was saying. So, I started to dig and while I was toiling away, an old friend came along with the emails. It was pretty simple after that. I’ve known electrical contractors my whole life, so I Called a few. I must have spoken to about two dozen different sources on this story. I was going to post it this morning, but I wanted to give the Mayor’s people and City Hall the benefit of the doubt. Instead, they promptly tied nooses around their necks. And to think they are treating some of their own union people as well with such disrespect. Spoke to a couple of union guys too. Let’s just say, the Vision Vancouver honeymoon is over.
Yes, Frances has rechristened me, much to the chagrin of my poor mother, I’m sure…she wanted me to be a priest. Reverend Tsakuminator…hmmm, has a rather snappy ring to it, no? Who am I kidding?1 I go to church and the walls start shaking… ROTFLMAO!
[Translate]
When you do stories like this there is no one better in the business. No wonder Bula and the others hate you. When was the last time theydid one of these? Alex, do you realize what you have done? There’s blood everywhere. The Greek is Golden. Congratulations are so in order over this one for sure.
[Translate]
Too kind my dear. Very generous comments. And if Vision want to continue to harass me or have their little blogosphere poodle continue to yelp (to all of his 14 daily visits) good for him and them. Last week they were upbraiding me on Vision’s propaganda site because I was off by $25.00 in the amount Parks Chair Aaron Jasper chiseled the people who organized the conservatory event. They didn’t bother to mention that he was still an additional $25.00 too low. Nor did they even try to shield that Comm. Blythe was also too low in what she paid. What two public representatives would chisel and event that their regressive positions caused to take place? They’re absurd. The spinning they do is astounding. But what do you expect from people who were elected on lies. They will only continue to do the same. I was very supportive of them until the lies began. And ever since then, nothing but lies. Other writers and commentators won’t say that so they can get some exclusives off them, or some frontpage puff-piece. But I think I proved here, once again, that you can do some investigative writing and come up with some very good pieces. Thx for your perspectives and pithy comments. Good to have you back. How was Maui?
[Translate]
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t it $200.00 per “couple” no matter how you look at it…they are not a “couple” and it was a fundraiser. They cheated a system that is trying to save the Conservatory. If I remember correctly it was Commissioner Blythe that commented in the Georgia Straight that Vision was focusing on Green buildings in Vancouver when referring to their decision to close Bloedel Conservatory… if my history serves me well, I do believe this was the first Green building in Vancouver. Cheap, uninformed and believe they are entitled,
[Translate]
Well, that’s exactly right. But can you imagine the embarrassment? The idiot-poodle with a keyboard that the Mayor’s staff have sanctioned to smear people’s families, personal appearances and backgrounds actually had the lack of cranial matter to offer up that two sitting Vision Parks Commissioners (Jasper, the Chair no less, and Blyth, who often is lost over even perfunctory matters) got together as a “couple” to avoid having to pay the additional $25.00 per ticket at an event that their errant vote precipitated. Idiots. But I’m a bad man because I got the amount wrong (by $25.00) that Mr. Jasper chiseled the event by. In the words of the immortal Billy Connolly: “What a load of pish! They’re so full of crap!”
[Translate]
Reading the Jonathan Ross explanation of Mr Jasper’s behaviour reminded me of the kind of convoluted excuse I used to come up with to explain failure to complete my homework. I posted the following opinion;
“This was a charity event. The tickets were $125 for an individual and $200 for a couple. Mr Jasper attended as an individual but wished to pay as half of a non existent couple, so putting his host in an embarrassing position. He is not poor. He was not ashamed to do this. You (J.R.) find this perfectly acceptable. That really says it all.”
Experience suggests that as I didn’t begin with “You are completely right..” it will stay in civicscene limbo.
[Translate]
David,
Jonathan Ross’ explanation would be funny if it weren’t so utterly tragic. Thomas Hobbs NEVER advised Aaron Jasper to provide only $100 dollars when the price of entrance was $125.00–$100.00 is what Jasper said he “agreed on” so Thomas (whom I have know for 25 years and is a WONDERFUL man) shrugged it off and said “fine”. Who wouldn’t? Would you want to be the one to explain to the empty headed Chair of the Parks Board that on the heels of Jasper using his city parking decal to park for free in metered parking near his personal business office (he’s a real estate agent), that he was then chiseling an event that his mindless vote necessitated???
And let me tell you about Ross’s blog. He sees about two dozen people per day, has zero credibility and the only reason he harps at me and others, is because he wants some status. If he goes after big fish, he’s in the big pond–that’s how his pea works. But what he doesn’t understand is that you must earn your stripes. Collecting orders for the Mayor’s henchmen, Kevin Quinlan and Mike Magee, is not my idea of a job worth doing. But Ross is content to be their bitch. So be it. I wouldn’t have even seen his post on me if someone hadn’t mentioned it. Plus, the boy is unstable. If I released the emails he sent me using some “anonymous” email BUT WITH HIS OWN IP ADDRESS last fall, you’d call a medic to have the wee lad admitted. Defamatory statements about my parents, offensive things about my sisters, lies about my friends, absolutely bizarre insults about my appearance, tossing around some send up about the (obvious) obvious fact I’m bald and other insults about my appearance. And then, out of the blue, just days before Christmas, after seeing how this blog has rocketed to the ‘must read’ list for so many people, including some in his own tiny little bailiwick, he sends me some ridiculous, insane pap about having a good holiday with my wife and kids. The I do a piece about some folks asking me rather gentle, personal stuff (that you always get when you’re in the public eye) and he does another mock up of how he doesn’t like or believe one gals question. What pish! The boy must be deranged.
But don’t worry, he’s got some trouble coming for sure. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. There are people in Vision who are VERY tired of him and see him as a major liability. Just watch what’ll happen. It’s inevitable. And believe me, you’ll read about it here first, I promise. But for me to do anything is a waste. He doesn’t even register as a irritant. I’m just worried he’ll snap at some point. Very strange fellow indeed.
[Translate]
Alex,
I’m really sorry to see the verbal abuse that is being directed at you and your family. In no way is this appropriate.
There is one point I’d like to remind you of my friend. You have earned your stripes, you’re known for your integrity and investigative talents, among many others….what sets you apart is that you SHOW YOUR FACE, Johnathon doesn’t put his picture out there.
An honest man faces the crowd…. a coward bullies.
I think you are correct, I think the fecal matter is about to hit the ventilating device.
[Translate]
Oh, it’s part of the job, but I thank you. It just amazes me how someone can act like that while a clear surrogate of the Mayor and then pretend that he is either a) inpartial, or; b) mentally stable.
I appreciate your support and kind words. Thank you, George.
[Translate]
Alex thanks for this exceptional piece of investigative journalism. Just when I thought no one else was paying attention, with the Olympic fever in full swing… Bravo!
As you probably noticed by now, for more than a year I’ve been trying to shame this gang of fools that are shamelessly calling themselves…Visionaries, in my own, satirical way. I’ve been trying to puncture their armour of BS by starting erratically with small holes. Bit by bit these holes grew closer and closer together, and when all these little holes were ready to form one big hole all it was needed was a big punch. And you my friend, provided it handsomely! Now everyone could look inside their fake armour only to find the scared, pathetic Circus monkey with a mandolin. (I do apologize to monkeys everywhere for the crude analogy)
As I confessed to you before, sometimes I feel you are my telepathic twin (that’s why it is so hard for me to add or comment on your pieces). In a completely unrelated commentary that I posted earlier today on Frances‘s blog I’ve imagined Gregor (doing his ballet appearances) and Penny (trying hard to fake work) as they really are: Les Incompetents! Enjoy.
THREE, 2, 1…The Olympic Countdown Thought of the Day
“Does anyone remember the names of any Mayor from the cities that hosted the Olympic Games, winter or summer, say, in the past 20 years? My point exactly! So, Gregor, open W2 while you can, cut the drama, get your well worn tights and ballet shoes and… Demi-plié, 1,2, Glissade, 3,4, Jeté en avant, 1,2 Arabesque, 3,4, hold it, hold it, applause…and bow. Curtain”
THE PENNY HILL SHOW
I wish you could read this aloud in high pitch and fast, same as a “Silent” shot in “undercranking”.
Scene1/ T4; Interior. Office. Day time.
We see Penny talking over the phone: “How are things at the City, anybody working in here these days? How embarrassing for me, for that, I should be asking someone in my Repo team who knows someone related to someone working here that really does work in the working department. Nah, too much of a hassle, I’ll better ask a Volunteer”
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
All the best, Glissando.
[Translate]
I love you. And so does everybody else. Hysterical send up!
[Translate]
This whole scenario is atrocious. Not only are the athletes being put in harms way over stupidity, but at some point the city will be trying to sell these units to recoup their investment. Who in their right mind will be chomping at the bit to buy a potential problem.
That being said, could there have been outside pressure exerted by other parties such as Vanoc, our provincial government or even the IOC. When the financial problems first came to light it was intimated that the construction timeline was behind schedule. The city was committed to turn over the keys to Vanoc by a certain date come hell or high water.
Over the last many years we have seen too many examples where the government of the day whether it be municipal, provincial or federal have done their best to do end-arounds on many institutions that make decisions contrary to the government of the day. Whether it is public utilities or watchdogs, they are being either coerced or over-ruled on many of their decisions.
I in no way condone the silencing of this gentleman by his dismissal because of its potential consequences, but there may be a possibility that you may have only peeled one layer off the onion and there may be many more layers in play.
As they say “Sh*t runs downhill, and maybe Vancouver city council was the last stop and Mr. Tsisserev has just been designated as collateral damage. To make matters worse he has been forced to get involved with a lawyer to supposedly get financial reparation and as such cannot spill the beans. No doubt he will get a substantial settlement for wrongful dismissal but have to remain silent about the whole situation as part of the settlement. Once again the politicians will get what they want at the public’s expense.
[Translate]
You raise, as always, superb points. This Olympic Village life safety issue is a HUGE concern. If they’ve fixed it, great, but my understanding is that in both Surrey and Burnaby, where these panels are also used in some buildings, the Fire Departments are being told to stay away fromt he panels with their two-ways or risk tripping the panel into a malfunction. Frightening stuff. They will also, post-malfunction, show an alert on floor 5, when in fact, it might be floor 14 that’s an issue. Nevertheless, at the Olympic Village, right here, right now, there is a life safety issue which has, thus far, been disregarded as “rumours” by the Mayor’s staff. As for the Mayor, he’s busy dancing. Pathetic.
[Translate]
Unfortunately this is the culture at city hall. Everything is image and disorganized while they spend money like drunken sailors and play at running this city. Sounds self serving I know, but Gregor is not a leader and is allowing Geoff Meggs, Michael Magee and Penny Ballem to run this city. He has no overall plan and he must go next election as this city cannot be run like a village any longer.
[Translate]
For those of you who are wondering who this masked man is…why it’s none other than James Green, erstwhile Mayoral candidate from 2005. The man Vision dubbed, ‘The Spoiler’ actually has some very good thoughts on the city and provides intelligent, capable commentary. But alas, the winds of the past…the winds of the past… We’ll see…
Thx for stopping by James. Always a pleasure.
[Translate]
From what I’ve heard and seen, one has the impression that Gregor is really acting as a frontman for Ms. Ballem. Does city council get to vote on issues or does Ms. Ballem just tell them what will be done and then they have a mock meeting to make it so?
The citizens of Vancouver are probably ruing having ever voted for her in the first place. Oops, I forgot, she wasn’t elected, just a hired gun. It looks as if one inmate has taken over the asylum.
[Translate]
Actually, Gregor is the suit for her and the a very interesting NDP hybrid. It takes in all the NDP Kingsway mafia and the New Agers. A very strange mix that can only eventually implode. But tell that to the NPA, whose President, Michael Davis, is quietly and purposefully making Suzanne Anton the next Mayoral candidate. Anyone who cannot see that she is NOT mayoral material, needs some real help. Councillor, by all means, but not Mayor. Look at her latest release on her website. She’s still promoting Sam! …the man who is in no small part, the reason we have Gregor.
[Translate]
Simply first rate work. Top shelf.
[Translate]
Very kind comrade, too kind. Many thx. Hope you’re keeping warm in St. Petersburg.
[Translate]
I don’t even pretend to know much about these things, (electricity is still a form of magic to me) but one doesn’t have to be an electrical engineer to see that there is something amiss here. This will likely cause more than a few fuses to blow.
I read today that they claim to have found Ernest Shackleton’s supply of Scotch whiskey and brandy lost after his failed expedition in 1909. The distillery that first made it is now defunct and the recipe long disappeared but they hope to unlock the ingredients and method by which it was made. What say we all chip into buy a bottle of this liquid gold to go with one of Alex’s cigars, for his accomplishments this day?
[Translate]
Alas, Sir Lawrence, I’m a Ketel One man…vodka, that is…quit drinking scotch years ago. Don’t know what it is, just doesn’t agree with my stomach anymore. Hasn’t for about ten years or so. Considering the amount of Macallans I put away over the previous ten years before that, must be an “amount issue”. LOL! Thanks for the smile.
[Translate]
I am pretty sure that the fire alarm and detection system must be certified as tested and operating correctly. Failing that would put the Olympic village in contravention of the city bylaws etc. A large building holding that many people must be protected by a prperly installed and properly tested fire detection systems.
HAS ANYONE NOTIFIED VANCOUVER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMENT???
Hmmm – sure make you wonder how many other big snafu’s there will be to uncover. Knowing Campbells reputation and past occomplishments, I am sure there will be plenty.
[Translate]
Certification isn’t the issue because I’ve discovered since yesterday that permits were issued ‘OPEN”. That’s how they got the buildings approved. But that raises the fair question: Are they as safe as if there wasn’t a malfunctioning panel that has been “patched”? If they are wonderful. Let’s hear it! Because no one was willing to provide a response and the fellow replacing Ark Tsisserev refuses to return calls. Gosh, can’t imagine why…
[Translate]
Mr. Tsakumis, this is simply the best column on all Olympic related. You speak the truth and that has always been your trademark. I loved your columns in 24 Hours newspaper. Now they have some weird people trying to take your place. I can’t even read them anymore. Please keep writing and telling us what is really going on in our city by the sea. Are the athletes in the olympic village safe? this is something people really want to know. Thank you for being so fearless. I bet the mayor would like to get rid of your voice. Keep up the great work sir and watch your back.
[Translate]
Hi Kyle:
Very kind. Frankly, I don’t know what they are doing over at 24hrs, since I only pick up the paper from time to time. I usually see it on line. But I agree that they will never be able to replace me. What I did for them is irreplaceable. However, they have a very strong group of reporters and their Editor is a good sort. Then again, I’m not sure whether they are looking for a “replacement”. It would cause some of their advertising executives upstairs to have to re-learn the alphabet and dust off their thesaurus.
I appreciate your kind words. I’ve had some very interesting calls and notes. Some perhaps I’ll share in a few days.
[Translate]
I hope the mayor of Vancouver and General Electric sue you you fat elitist bastard. The Olympics are a great experience and maybe if you ran a little you would understand but you would probably die from a heart attack you pig. The village is just fine without people like you lying about it. Fuck off you loser Greek. You wish you had Gregors; brains.
[Translate]
I’m simply going to allow this comment to speak for itself.
I hope you’re back on your meds soon, lad.
[Translate]
Alex, it’s very humanitarian for you to publish this fellows audition for a job with the PAB. I’m sure that Gordo will be contacting him shortly for an interview.
Also, it’s obvious that the anger management classes he has been taking these last twenty years have been a resounding success.
[Translate]
I’m not sure if it’s anger, but the padded room cannot possibly be far off for the lad.
[Translate]
Thank you for allowing everyone to share in this, it gave me the biggest laugh of the day!
Clearly this fellow is aiming for gold in the downhill mentathlon.
[Translate]
That’s EXTREMELY funny… Yes, there’s no question of that…
[Translate]
Alex, my wife and I moved to Burnaby but used love seeing you on Channel 10. We are so glad you have a place we can come to every day and congratulations on a job really well done. This is a very fine piece of investigative journalism that will have your critics even more envious. You out did yourself and showed a lot of guts going up against General Electric and your mayor.
[Translate]
Hi Walt:
Thank you very much for thinking of me. Yeah, ‘The Standard’ was a great experience and when they switched over to a religious channel the political material was axed. But there is a great deal I’ve got in the works. Just trying to juggle it all now. I’ll be back soon enough. Worry not. But for now, I must tell you, I’m enjoying the “break”.
As for General Electric… Jack Welch is one of my heroes and I use many of their products. As I stated in the column I wrote, panels sometimes come with glitches that take time to fix. I’m sure that some patchwork or correction took place. But that needs to be made clear by the Mayor and City Manager. They have a responsibility to the people of Vancouver. We paid $500,000,000 to get Fortress Management out of the way. So we’re shareholders in this deal. But apparently the Mayor doesn’t care and neither does his staff or his caucus or his party…..
I appreciate you stopping by.
[Translate]
Alex,
I’m not a lawyer, but, would it be fair for me to say that if all this ends up in a lawsuit, and if Ark consequently gets a ruling in his favour and accordingly compensation for wrongful dismissal, so would it be fair to say that Penny should be handing in her resignation pronto unless fired by someone with the authority??? To do that? And then forced to pay the plaintiff out of her own pocket? Just wishful thinking here!
[Translate]
Russ Chamberlain is one of the best legal minds in this province. I’ll leave the wrangling to him. However, it is crystal clear to me, that Vision Vancouver brought Penny Ballem into City Hall for the purpose of “owning” the bureaucracy. What they have done in one year is intimidate and/or get rid of people who were well prepared to stay and continue to well serve the public. Ark Tsisserev was not scheduled to retire UNTIL JULY 2011! You be the judge.
[Translate]
http://dprogram.net/2010/01/25/could-vancouver-2010-could-be-the-next-911/
False Flag attack on the Olympics most likely coming soon, unless we can stop it.
[Translate]
Oh for God’s sake, enough already. I do not even like to see Vancouver and 9/11 in the same line. With the amount of military in this town right now, it just don’t want to believe this…
Two Black Hawks, dozens of copters, Canadian and American services… C’mon, if there’s one thing that you can count on is that someone will always offer some ridiculous notion that there’s a false flag.
The job is to keep people safe, and if some inconveniences take place, too bad. It’s the loss of freedom of expression that should be most disconcerting.
[Translate]
A huge problem is that politicians are inexperienced, naiive, and lacking solid underlying principles.
Thus even the better of them who start out to change things get conned by special interests, especially bureaucrats in their employ.
Voters have to develop better politicians instead of voting for do-gooders and free-lunchers. They have to ask how a politician will be able to actually administer government.
[Translate]
Hi Keith:
Yes, I quite agree with you. It takes a strong personal constitution to avoid the pitfalls of public life. Then again, with all the failures, what does that say about the kind of individual we are attracting? And what does it say about us, that we are not rejecting more of them?
Thx for stopping by. Good to hear from you.
[Translate]
Hi Alex, I am sure the obnoxiously stupid personal comments will do nothing, but reaffirm your confidence that you are right, when they can’t debunk what you are saying, they resort to the lowest forms of human communication: Personal Attack (specially Family) and another more benign form are attacking semantics and “typos”.
[Translate]
Hi Pedro. Sure, I just do the best I can, if that’s all they’ve got, good for them. I don’t mind being called an idiot if I wrote idiotically. I refer to a number of politicians that way, or as fools, because of either something they’ve said or done. In that case, I find a “personal” attack of reference, fair ball. But to be suggesting things about people’s families etc., just seems to be the currency of loons. Thx for stopping by. I’ll have a little Olympic interlude up for your reading pleasure sometime later today. Happy Sunday.
[Translate]
Hi Alex, I agree, I usually also refer to the authors of stupid actions/statements as idiots, morons, etc, but i never would refer derogatorily to their innocent families. Looking forward to your Olympic comment, plenty of “Meat” there.
[Translate]
Yes, of course. If critics think I have written idiotically, they are most certainly welcome to refer to me as such. But families and personal matters are always, off limits, at least for me.
Up shortly. Enjoy!
[Translate]
There’s something about Vancouver city managers getting too big for their britches.
At least with Judy Rogers it took a few years before the arrogance set in, arguably driving one apparent detractor, then-VPD chief Jamie Graham, to decorate her desk with a firing-range target.
Penny Ballem had scarcely cashed the consultancy cheque from Ontario’s eHealth fiasco before stepping into City Hall and letting her ego grow exponentially.
Let’s hope that once the Olympics are departed, CTV will regain some credibility by setting loose Ms. Rossington to give broader exposure to your scoop, Alex. She’s a gutsy lady who was one of the only members of the Vancouver media to take on Emperor Larry.
[Translate]
Complete agreement. I have a lot of time for CTV’s Lisa Rossington. She is a great reporter. And I hope she is able to follow-up on this story, that really began from a previous story she covered. Very gutsy indeed. Thx for stopping by Rich.
[Translate]
Just a few questions:
1. How did you come to THIS conclusion:
that Ark Tsisserev …”is Canada’s most recognized authority on electrical/life safety issues”? Source please.
2. Was the problem with the fire warning system fixed?
3. As you know, in some cases, the authority having jurisdiction will sign off on an installation in favour of an engineer’s stamp and professional certification – did that happen in this case?
4. How close to retirement was Mr. Tsisserev?
5. What kind of a retirement bonus did he receive from the city upon retirement – or is that privileged information?
Thanks.
[Translate]
Hi Garth:
1) I spoke to all the heads of the recognized life safety verification and electrical life safety bodies. Also, the heads of the appropriate unions and representatives the top electrical contractors in the province. Also, I contacted his colleagues in Ontario and Manitoba. No one has won more awards or been cited more widely.
2) Yes and no. The panel still malfunctions if you use a two-way and are within a certain distance, making it virtually impossible to approach, as a first responder, and read the panel with your radio up to your mouth ready to call out to your colleagues 150 ft away, the confirmation of which floor is affected by fire. This has been mitigated by having local fire depts either rewrite their manuals for this type of appraoch or put warning stickers on the actual panels.
3) No
4) July 2011 with absolutely NO plans to retire before that date.
5) I understand from confidential city sources that he received a relatively small settlement because they canned him too early and that killed a significant portion of his pension.
With pleasure.
[Translate]