EXCLUSIVE: Penny Ballem Deeply Involved In Ark Tsisserev Firing/Vancouver On Deck to Gut Electrical Branch Putting Citizens at Risk: Investigation–A Must!
Last night, if any of you missed it, during a regular council meeting in Vancouver’s chambers, Clr. Suzanne Anton, brave gal she, raised the issue of the Ark Tsisserev firing. In what was a good first step, Clr. Anton worked very hard to get to the bottom of the bevy of outstanding questions that have caused industry contractors, life safety experts and the public, a good amount of grief–we are definitely not as safe. And the Vancouver Courier article last Friday said it all: Will Johnston, Mr. Tsisserev’s replacement, OPENLY AND FULLY admitted to anomalies and failings at Olympic venues, including the Panasonic tent, where there was no fire panel and only a battery operated bull horn was “passed” in some discretionary capacity, as a primary safety measure.
But at the council meeting last night, you could see how Vision Vancouver had prepared the spin and lies that they will go with, in the next round of this sordid affair: Clr. Andrea Reimer moved an amendment trying to weaken the motion by Clr Anton–which Ms. Anton deftly made secure with specifics necessary (causing dear, not-so-sweet Andrea to feign innocence “Oh, of course, that’s what I meant”); then George Chow rose to ask an incredibly idiotic question about confidentiality agreements (it was obvious where he was trying to go) and, of course, the bull-moose in a china shop, Clr. Kerry Jang, who has never met a scorched earth initiative he hasn’t embraced, wanted the results of the votes “of the in-camera meeting” released–the one during which Ark Tsisserev was fired.
You see where this is going: Show that Suzanne Anton might be exposing the City to a breach of a confidentiality agreement; pretend Vision Vancouver wants all the pertinent details released and embarrass Suzanne Anton, in that the vote to release Ark Tsisserev of his duties and hire Will Johnston as his replacement, was a UNANIMOUS council vote (of course it was, since staff lied to council and, according to Clr. Geoff Meggs in an interview with concerned International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers boss, were told Mr. Tsisserev was “retiring”).
Well, not so fast, boys and girls…
Here’s were Vision Vancouver and specifically City Manager Dr. Ballem are in deeper than deep.
This writer has obtained a series of emails between Dr. Ballem and a fellow named Bob Cornwell.
Mr. Cornwell is the former shop steward of the electrical branch and was just fired by the city (on sixty days notice which was delivered the same day Mr. Tsisserev was kicked off City Hall property on January 21, 2010).
The emails were furnished to me by a city employee, who in the almost two months we have been speaking, has maintained that Dr. Ballem was key to the plan of getting her understudy, hatchet-man General Manager Dave McLellan, to fire Ark Tsisserev for precisely the (perverse) reasons I have cited before: He was too competent and honest to be controlled by this motley crew of ham-fisted bureaucrats, so the fix was in.
Constructive dismissal? You be the judge.
But there is something FAR MORE telling in those emails and it’s time to let you know about it. Bob Cornwell was concerned that the City of Vancouver was moving away from an independent electrical branch, by limiting the world Ark Tsisserev worked and thrived in–a world that kept the industry in check and, as a result, Vancouverites ultimately safest.
But have a read of this email stream first:
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From: Cornwell, Bob
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:44 PM
To: Ballem, Penny
Cc: McLellan, David
Subject: RE: Re: Memorandum to All Staff Dated May 21, 2009Dear Penny thank you for your reply - Ark doesn’t know I mailed you, I did it because I care, and I want to help. bc
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From: Ballem, Penny
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:29 PM
To: Cornwell, Bob
Cc: McLellan, David
Subject: RE: Re: Memorandum to All Staff Dated May 21, 2009Dear Bob thank you for your note – I greatly appreciate your words in regard to the work of Ark – indeed I have received a number of letters over the past weeks in regard to his contribution – my understanding is that along with the rest of the organization, Ark is not able to be involved in all the various activities he has been involved in over the last few years – in the face of councils agenda, and all the other demands on us as a city, there is a need to start to focus all our activiities in order to get our work done as a first priority and then to contribute provincially, nationally and internationally as much as time and resources permit. I am sure Ark understands this need to refocus and that he still has the opportunity to represent the city at a leadership level in a number of ways, even if his activities are reduced compared to past years. Thank you for your tribute to Ark pb
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From: Cornwell, Bob
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:09 PM
To: Ballem, Penny
Subject: Re: Memorandum to All Staff Dated May 21, 2009Dear Penny,
Thank you for the update. This email is to make a few remarks and observations on your note regarding Awards & Kudos. I am the assistant of one of the remarkable City staff members you mention in your memo, his name is Arkady Tsisserev.
Ark is a national treasure, who has represented the City worldwide for many years, and who has been instrumental in the development of electrical safety and building life safety systems through Code & Standard development. Because of Ark’s energy, dedication, and passion for electrical safety, Ark has been a great teacher and mentor for his staff.
As of late, something has changed dramatically in Ark’s sphere of influence. Although his travel costs are paid for by other organisations, Ark is no longer allowed to represent the City in National Code Development unless he uses vacation time to do so. Ark was not allowed to contribute to the Green Homes Initiative, with Bulletin 2008-003-BU causing turmoil in the building and electrical trades due to archaic electrical requirements he did not promote. The smaller slights include his treatment by the City’s legal department in respect to the Electrical By-Law, having to pay for parking, and lack of support from the new Chief Building Official.
Would it be possible for someone to look into this please? I have been in this industry for long enough to know that things must change, but still there has to be a reason.
Sincerely,
Bob
Bob Cornwell
Electrical Safety Officer / Inspector
Training & Quality Control Coordinator
City of Vancouver
Licences & Inspections
Tel: 604.873.7858 Fax: 604.873.7100
email: bob.cornwell@vancouver.ca
Specifically, let’s concentrate on one passage written in Dr. Ballem’s own hand:
“I greatly appreciate your words in regard to the work of Ark – indeed I have received a number of letters over the past weeks in regard to his contribution – my understanding is that along with the rest of the organization, Ark is not able to be involved in all the various activities he has been involved in over the last few years – in the face of councils agenda, and all the other demands on us as a city, there is a need to start to focus all our activiities in order to get our work done as a first priority and then to contribute provincially, nationally and internationally as much as time and resources permit. I am sure Ark understands this need to refocus and that he still has the opportunity to represent the city at a leadership level in a number of ways, even if his activities are reduced compared to past years. (Penny Ballem, City Manager, June 11, 2009)
Now, here is the smoking gun…(yes, yet another courtesy of Dr. Ballem)
In the many weeks I have been covering this story, rumours of Ark Tsisserev’s ”inappropriate expense billings” have been progressively seeping out from under the door of Dr. Ballem’s City Hall. But do you see that this is a smear campaign against Mr. Tsisserev? His assistant ADMITS in the above emails that Mr, Tsisserevs expenses were paid for by the committees and organizations, whenever he repersented the City of Vancouver (even though Dr. Ballem disgracefully implies that Mr. Tsisserev’s travels might not be solely for Vancouver’s benefit); moreover, he was using his own personal holidays (extraordinary!) to go out to conferences and ensure the city code was made safest as possible and all new and available amendments or upgrades were available to Vancouver–first.
But this wasn’t good enough for Dr. Ballem, because as she put it, everyone had to follow (Vision-dominated) council’s “agenda”
Interesting choice of words, Dr. Ballem…
So what is the agenda, and is it really council’s, or is this a broader problem of command and control exercised by Dr. Ballem and Mr. McLellan?
Both.
Here’s the rub: Chart the inappropriate actions of Dr. Ballen, Mr. McLellan, Mr. Johnston, Mayor Robertson and his surrounding bobble-heads. What do you get?
Clear evidence that they have not only contravened the city charter, lied and covered-up the results, causing outcries from responsible stakeholders accustomed to making the city safer, but too–that Vision Vancouver have set the stage for Mr. McLellan and Dr. Ballem to DISMANTLE the electrical branch of the City of Vancouver.
Crazy you say? Yes, it is absolutely, unquestionably crazy for them to want to do this, but without it, they cannot consolidate control for their political paymasters.
Mr. McLellan, in particular, came from the City of Richmond (where his reputation for razor-sharp elbows precedes him) But a salary and benefits package north of $300,000? Who would leave such lucrative employment? (more on this at a later date).
As proof that he has not lost his penchant for smash-mouth tactics, he has spent a not insignificant amount of time lately warning staff not to be speaking to the press about the “Tsisserev firing”–specifically he has also warned about what might happen to someone if they are discovered to be a source…
More to the point, in Richmond, their electrical inspections (and gas-fittings) are done by the B.C. Safety Authority–and not a city-responsible electrical branch. They do not have the totally co-ordinated system of Vancouver, with superior checks and balances and exceptional, industry-leading standards (all implemented under Ark Tsisserev and his staff)
But if you listen carefully to Dr. Ballem’s words from last night’s council meeting, this is precisely the direction Vancouver is headed. Shame! She speaks of other cities “switching” to such systems to “streamline” services and make them more “efficient” That’s not true. And how can you compare almost any other city with the third largest in the country?
Do tell us Dr. Ballem, since when is destroying the Canadian standard for life safety excellence, and thus, making citizens far less safe, a more efficient system?
Not to mention the stunning fact that if Mr. McLellan and Dr. Ballem get their way, the B.C. Safety Authority stands to collect the $2,000,000 – $4,000,000 per year profit from the Vancouver electrical branch, that would otherwise remain in the City’s coffers.
Who is the insane accountant that dreamt that scheme up?
In summary, you can see from the emails above and the comments from Dr. Ballem during last night’s council meeting that radical, unprofitable and damaging change is taking place under Penny Ballem as Vancouver City Manager.
The fix was in long ago. Retructuring and budgetary constraints were the causes of Ark Tsisserev’s dismissal? Bollocks!
And Vision Vancouver are going right along with the plan–in part directing it, which ultimately makes you and your family less safe–think about that.
Bottom line: They don’t care about you and will continue to prevaricate and deflect to no end.
The only way this entire matter will ever be settled is as Georgia Straight columnist Charlie Smith rightly asserts: An independent lawyer must be appointed to review this matter to ensure that the public interest was not denied and that the rights of citizens were not frustrated.
But I have many more giftlets for the Mayor and his council colleagues, well before they are forced to do the right thing…stay tuned!
I am still a Vision supporter Alex but I have to compliment you on this story. You have covered it so weel that you even have me thinking if I voted for the right people. It really bothers me that Gregor is hiding on this one. He looks very uneasy and that makes me think he might be hiding something. I think he made a big mistake in hiring Penny who was just as ruthless at BC Women’s and the ministry of health. Although i hope you drop this story, I have to admire the great way you have written about it. Your trademark barbs were only a small part of big pieces that required a lot of research and skilled reporting. Good job Alex. See you on the campign trail!
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Nice of you to stop by. As I have said many times, this issue transcends politics, it’s about the safety of Vancouverites. Thank you for your kind words. Come by again. Take care.
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Just when I think you have covered every angle possible on this story, here you go again. You are incredible at getting this story out into the public where it belongs. I think the mayor and council lied to us. it’s also clear that the city manager really wnats this all to go away.
I agree with you that with the release of the documents they will try to shut the door on this but I am sure you will stop them. Please keep looking out for us you are doing an amazing job.
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Hello Pat,
Thanks for the kind words, I am goign to continue to cover this until they answer for what they have done. The lies and cover-up are obvious.
Take care. Please visit again. Bye for now!
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I’m dumbstruck. How can anyone see what’s going on, agree that it’s not good, and still say that they still support this group?
What will it take?
Check out Penny Ballam on Google. Especially when she was with the Ontario health ministry. There was something about her giving an untendered contract to a group she was rather close to. They then gave her a 400,000.00 contract to write a report for them. There could still be some fireworks from that bit of business.
But I’m sure she can still rely on the support of here former backers. Just be a red and your OK.
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I know, it’s amazing how all the defenders of the NDP/Vision are now out in full force bitching about the coverage. I’m simply reporting what the Mayor has (and hasn’t been doing) and how Penny Ballem is cutting off corners and heads!
Great comment.
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Funny, you were not concerned about public safety at all when it came to the substandard, dangerous shared sidewalks on the Burrard Bridge. In fact, in spite of several people being seriously injured on the bridge, you seemed to be totally against the badly needed safety improvements on the Bridge. I guess with your new found interest in the safety of people in Vancouver, you are now in favour of the separated bike lanes and sidewalks on the Bridge. Welcome on board!
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Hi RC:
1) I never viewed the Burrard Bridge bike trial as anything other than what it is: A complete and total inconvenience to commuters, to satisfy the rabid, doctrinaire cycling fascists that supported the Mayor through he election. There are next to no cyclists in those lanes through he week. And the Burrard Bridge has become a much more dangerous place for cars. I was at dinner last night at a favorite restaurant just at Hornby and Pacific, and twice a car had to come to screeching halt because of yet another kamikaze cyclist and his antics. Locals tell me, it’s a daily occurrence.
2) Safety concerns? Sure. I advocated for a separate crossing for cyclists, bladers and pedestrians. Never veered from that position. As is stands, NO report has ever surfaced to document the precise details of the “serious accidents”
3) Cyclists should be licenced no differently from cars and be made to pay for their usage of the road. It is grossly offensive to suggest that they get a free ride.
4) A simply perusal of the Critical Mass Bike Fascists clearly demonstrates that they are activists of the first order and your efforts mean nothing to safety, healthy, etc. It’s about hurting people who choose not to bike into social engineered obedience. They are class warriors using bikes as a medium or instrument for their political agenda.
Spare me the safety argument. I was GENUINELY aboard that train well before and well after any of the fascists and social engineers using cycling as an excuse for their insanity were even aware of it as a vehicle or “change”
Thanks for stopping by.
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Yes we need an investigation.
Where is the police on the matter of the city’s negligence?
Where is the provincial government in looking into concerns that the city manager violated the Vancouver Charter?
It appears as though laws have been broken and this Vision Mayor and council need to be held accountable.
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Absolutely!
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Alex,
I went over to the link you posted from the Georgia Straight and left a comment for Charlie Smith that he’s chosen to not to approve.
Good thing I copied it before I pressed submit. Since you moderate your comments I do hope you’ll print this since he will not.
The media in this city is as pathetic as it gets.
The following is my comment:
We need an investigation – period Charlie. You can site all the NPA’ers current or former jumping on this story but lets look at the details.
1) The city has had to pay a compensation package to a guy 12 months away from retirement. Obviously something is going on here.
2) The guy ran a department putting good money in the city’s coffers, while bringing the latest in electrical safety to Vancouver’s buildings.
3) Will Johnston has admitted that Olympic sites were not to code and were unsafe. Would you have liked to been warned of an emergency by bullhorn? Seriously I would expect this in Sochi, not in Vancouver.
4) If electrical safety was compromised, what else was? The Tsisserev firing isn’t the only thing that needs to be investigated now – the entire construction of the Olympic Village is suspect after these allegations. There isn’t a chance in hell I’d buy a unit there and I will certainly be warning anyone who asks me not to either.
5) The Charter issues are glaring here. If council was informed then why on earth does Suzanne Anton need to ask questions about what really happened.
Either Ballum has broken the law all on her own, and needs to lose her job, or the mayor has acted in concert with her deception and needs to be called to task in the public eye for his involvement.
I could keep going here, but none of the above has anything to do with politics from the NPA. Now lets talk about an effective opposition in this town.
Everyone knows you slant to the left Charlie, thats cool you work for the straight and are from what I understand an avid COPE supporter. No big deal.
However, if you and Allan Garr, and Frances Bula, would get off your collective rear-ends and actually call our local politicians to task as you would the NPA, or anyone to the right of center, maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t have to be the NPA past and present attempting to keep Vision actually working for ALL of the people, instead of just their friends and supporters.
Or Charlie, have you forgotten that there are those out there that want and expect good government regardless of what party they are attached to?
I’ll go one more step for you Charlie. Back from 2001 to 2005 the press played a major role in assisting the then 2 member NDP MLAs in Victoria in exposing BC Liberals for the very same type of politics and decision making that Vision is doing today in Vancouver.
Where are you now?
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NOTE TO READERS: THIS COMMENT SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR ANYONE WANTING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS SCANDAL OVER THE FIRING OF ARKADY TSISSEREV. THE COMMENT IS DEFINITIVE AND PERFECTLY ILLUSTRATES WHERE THE CITY/MAYOR/CITY MANAGER HAVE MADE GLARING MISTAKES. READ IT TWICE. IT’S SUPERB. KUDOS TO JERRY THOMPSON!
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Just a note as to the latest Ark sighting as per Frances Bula’s blog.
Wow, shortest “retirement” on record as Ark is now working for the firm Stantec, located here in Vancouver. Someone alert the Guinness people!
I am sure that the retirement/severance/hush money— or whatever they are calling it today at City Hall —has salved the wounds that were due to Ark’s recent leave-taking, providing enough “bridge” financing for a career interrupted–and not by his choice, apparently. Umm, sorry—I forgot. How much $$$$$ was that EXACTLY, Mr/Mrs/Ms. Taxpayer????????
Clearly, our betters at the Hall have been feeding us some of that altered honey reality that comes with peering down at us from greater, elevated heights.
Keep up the good work, AT.
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Surely, Angry Taxpayer, you meant “peeing on us” from elevated heights, no?
As for France Bula, her coverage on this has been PATHETIC. She would have been all over this if it were an NPA scandal. Shame on her.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Interesting ……, as it appears that in the following excerpt from an interview with the Vancouver Observer, Ms. Ballem stated that “public safety” was one of council’s four key agendas. (From online story posted October 1, 2009, “The Seat of Influence in City Hall”, Vancouver Observer).
“BALLEM: There are four key agendas that the council has: homelessness, affordable housing, public safety and the economy.
Then you have the Olympics. All the goals are linked. The Olympics is a huge platform and if we do it well, it will allow us to advance all of these agendas.
It’s kind of like Scrabble. You get a quadruple word score and you win the game. How can we help homelessness, deal with a hit on the economy, take into account public safety and be green while we’re at it? That’s what it’s all about. I’m all about moving the agenda on the steepest possible curve but doing that so it’s sustainable.”
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Excellent! Most excellent! She really does know how to shovel the fertilizer, doesn’t she? Thx Elizabeth. Do take care.
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The Thought of The Day
“What happens at the Hall it’s disgusting in the same way it’s disgusting when you step into a fresh pile of dog shit immediately after walking by a sign saying to curb your dog and pick up the proceeds. Maybe it’s time to have the same signs installed inside the Hall too!”
Alex,
Gregor is counting homeless people…by hand.
Then he wants transparency, accountability, so he gives us access to the petty cash account of our dear Councillors. They are careful with money. Yeah, right!
Also, apparently, next year, the City estimates will make $5,500 in revenue collecting $50/ per street party, in fees! $5,500. As in Five thousands and Five hundred dollars!
The pathetic irony… the same City brains paid severances and “shut up” settlements to many of the recently fired or “retired” City employees? City’s new firing/ hiring policy: FHFHF (Friendly Hiring Following Hostile Firing) is costing the Tax Payers a bundle.
In the millions of dollars!
That’s Vancouver’s new Trademark!
Remember how Gregor @ company, screwed the people of BC ( he quit his not so Worshippee MLA stunt in Victoria, forcing a by-election 6-7 months before the Provincial Election of the 2009)?
Money, money, money.
But of course, that’s semantics, tomato tomahto, what’s money, other people’s money, tax payers money? Hollyhock campaign contributions on the other hand…
As for Ark… I am glad he found Stantec. I wish he will leak details of his settlement sooner than layter, or leak it to someone who can expose the monster hidden in the City’s dresser.
You are doing a fine job Alex!
Charlie “Who?” is not.
And you are right. Jerry Thompson’s comment should be required reading.
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
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Precisely.
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Oh well, all is in hand, we needn’t worry any longer for the MSM is out in force and have covered and exposed the story of the Bee-hives on the very pinnacle of City Hall; all is now well and the honey (or is that money) should begin flowing anytime now. Mr. Tsisserev having taken the lucrative and more traveled not to say, least ethical path, skips along down the path hand in hand with his lawyer; it is truly a happy ending for all – except the taxpayers.
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Congrats to Jerry Thompson for an extremely insightful contribution. I was really taken with his comment “Or Charlie, have you forgotten that there are those out there that want and expect GOOD GOVERNMENT REGARDLESS OF WHAT PARTY THEY ARE ATTACHED TO”.
I think that that statement summed it up pretty well. And it applies to all levels of government. When do you think we can expect to see it in any form?
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Hard to say but I commend you for foreshadowing one of my next posts: Gregor Robertson has stolen someone’s playbook…and it’s not good…that’s all I’ll write until the post. Enjoy!
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