Me- City council, which is also the board of the Children's museum
Caramia - I, and others interpreted this as an attempt to suggest conflict of interest. Of course on examination it was shown that there was no conflict of interest, no impropriety, and NO member of City Council turned out to be on the board of the Children's Museum. This is an example of what I would call a smear. It doesn't matter if it is true or false - once it is repeated enough it sticks.
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To be clear, I did suggest a potential conflict of interest. It was not shown there was no conflict of interest simply because you don't feel there was one. This is not a smear campaign, or some secret conspiracy. If you know me, I stick to the facts.
http://www.childrens...id=53&Itemid=61There are city councillors on the board of advisors, according to the Children's museum website as I write this so I don't know how you can say this isn't the case. The same councilor in one case who voted against the lawn bowling club in principle, for (potentially) the Children's museum:
http://www.victoria....n080313_cnc.pdf"Crystal Garden Block
It was moved by Councillor Holland, seconded by Councillor Coleman, that Council support in
principle the proposed Planning Options on the Crystal Gardens Block as presented to Council by staff in a presentation dated March 5, 2008. Carried"
The plans which first mentioned the Children's museum are included in this proposed Planning Options.
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The other quote that was me:
"Initially the mayor wanted to replace the green with a parking lot, that created public outcry. Then the tune changed, apparently within a month, to replace the green with a Children's museum and art gallery"
The mayor was quoted in the newspaper as proposing a parking lot in January if I recall. Around a month later the planning options study was presented. It could also be noted there was a meeting with the mayor and the lawn bowling club between these times where the mayor said there are no serious plans for the park area and a month later the planning options were released.
I can provide links to the newspaper article and minutes if you really need them...
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While you might take this as me politicking, you're entitled to your opinion. My only hope here is to provide a view that those not directly involved in the process would be aware of and make their own decisions. Caramia stated what I believe to be racy and false claims, but I remained quiet until she called me on the two items above as I believe in democracy.
All the lawn bowling club wanted was a transparent and accountable process. Something I also want is a long-term vision that the entire community support.
The one thing that is news to me is this notion that the lawn bowling club was only intended to be temporary and that everyone has known this for decades. Can someone provide evidence to this effect?
I've been involved with the process around this 85 year old club and no one in the past year has made such a claim. Please provide reference material, as I have done the courtesy above for the claims against me.
On a more positive note, I spoke to many of the potential councilors and the vast majority insinuate they are aligned with the same vision I have. An accountable and transparent process, and one that involves the community in creating a long-term plan we can all be proud of. Here's to hoping!