1327 replies to this topic

[RFS]

Is there were she breaks ranks with Helps or does she go down swinging like her counterpart? It has already cost her a potential job as MLA, is she willing now to completely forfeit her career in politics?

I don't think people in Esquimalt care, and Barb will win on name recognition and lack of competition alone.  This whole thing will definitely effect Helps more

[Mike K.]

I would have to agree.

 

The CFAX interview with Desjardins begins in a few minutes.

[RFS]

He is REALLY grilling Barb.  I hope Helps is next   

[Rob Randall]

Barb calls the claim that she mishandled the harassment claim "foully untrue".

[rmpeers]

Barb calls the claim that she mishandled the harassment claim "foully untrue".

I just can't see any evidence to suggest that they handled the claims well or respectfully, at any juncture.

I was also in disbelief that, in attempting to justify misleading the public about whether there was an investigation, she went straight for the Bill Clinton "there is no relationship" defense. She told media that there was no investigation because at that exact moment there was not technically an investigation. Wow.

[Rob Randall]

It's true that if the Mayors simply said "no comment" that would have alerted the media that something was up. But the fact that Rob Shaw knew enough to ask the question in the first place shows that rumours of an investigation were already out there.

 

Trying to outsmart a veteran reporter in this type of situation is a rookie mistake and it always backfires. 

[Mike K.]

When Stirling had Mike Mulligan on after Desjardins' appearance, Mulligan noted that during Stirling's interview Desjardins had said the board had not received any "direct" complaints from subordinates, hence why they did not act on additional grievances against Elsner.

 

Mulligan said the no "direct" complaints received response to Stirling's question was akin to Desjardins' no investigation "at this time" (or whatever similar wording she had used) in response to Vancouver Sun reporter Rob Shaw's inquiry into whether or not an investigation was underway.

[spanky123]

When Stirling had Mike Mulligan on after Desjardins' appearance, Mulligan noted that during Stirling's interview Desjardins had said the board had not received any "direct" complaints from subordinates, hence why they did not act on additional grievances against Elsner.

 

Mulligan said the no "direct" complaints received response to Stirling's question was akin to Desjardins' no investigation "at this time" (or whatever similar wording she had used) in response to Vancouver Sun reporter Rob Shaw's inquiry into whether or not an investigation was underway.

 

The complaints were discussed with the investigator they hired. Another example of Desjardins trying to split hairs and obfuscate a lie. 

[rmpeers]

The complaints were discussed with the investigator they hired. Another example of Desjardins trying to split hairs and obfuscate a lie.

Yes. It appears the mayors were aware of the other allegations of inappropriate behaviour and speficially instructed their investigator not to pursue them.

I am genuinely curious why anyone, knowing of their apparent deliberate efforts to silence victims of harassment, would still support these candidates.

[DavidL]

Not really surprising but the coverage in the TC today completely glossed over both Mayor's roles and made no mention of the sections of the report that question their handling of the investigation except in the most tangential of ways.  They printed Helps' defence that it wasn't her fault without highlighting what it was the report had said about their dishonest behaviour.  Again, not surprising but deeply disappointing.

[RFS]

Not really surprising but the coverage in the TC today completely glossed over both Mayor's roles and made no mention of the sections of the report that question their handling of the investigation except in the most tangential of ways.  They printed Helps' defence that it wasn't her fault without highlighting what it was the report had said about their dishonest behaviour.  Again, not surprising but deeply disappointing.

The failing Times Colonist.  SAD

[rmpeers]

Not really surprising but the coverage in the TC today completely glossed over both Mayor's roles and made no mention of the sections of the report that question their handling of the investigation except in the most tangential of ways. They printed Helps' defence that it wasn't her fault without highlighting what it was the report had said about their dishonest behaviour. Again, not surprising but deeply disappointing.

It's clear that the TC wants Helps to win. But I honestly thought they might in this case want to venture into actual journalism and actually report on how their progressive candidate was involved in an effort to silence the voices of sexual harrassment victims.

I hope they will follow Adam Sterling's lead and actually report on the substance of the Elsner report. If not, I will assume that the TC thinks it's perfectly fine to silence victims.

Edited by rmpeers, 27 September 2018 - 01:37 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

there is still some chance les leyne reports on it. but yes otherwise it’s been sad coverage. maybe rob shaw wil do something that gets picked up.

[Mike K.]

Chief Manak will be addressing the media tomorrow at 10AM regarding the Lowe report.

[Bingo]

When Stirling had Mike Mulligan on after Desjardins' appearance, Mulligan noted that during Stirling's interview Desjardins had said the board had not received any "direct" complaints from subordinates, hence why they did not act on additional grievances against Elsner.

 

 

The subordinates had the smoking gun right from the get-go but they didn't realize they had it because it wasn't drawn yet.

[spanky123]

Chief Manak will be addressing the media tomorrow at 10AM regarding the Lowe report.

 

So what do we think, Helps sending him out there to try and take some of the heat off of her? 

[spanky123]

On Helps' campaign page, she is now saying that the police board, not her, determined that the case against Elsner was closed. Heck she even later makes it sound like it was against her advice.

 

"And also being clear on what to say coming out of a meeting where a board decides this file is closed and we have confidence in the chief"

 

Yet all one needs to do is read the court documents to see where Helps states. https://opcc.bc.ca/w...mmissioner.pdf 

 

"As the Discipline Authority we (not the Board) decided that we would accept the findings of the independent investigator"

 

In fact the PCC roundly criticized Helps and Desjardins for excluding the board and implying to the OPCC that the board had been fully consulted when it had not been. There was even a letter from one of the police board members demanding that Helps and Desjardins fully inform them of the situation. 

 

Can anyone say the words pathological liar?

[rmpeers]

So what do we think, Helps sending him out there to try and take some of the heat off of her?

I will literally eat my hat if he offers any sort of crtiticism of her. Never mind that she didn't protect female VicPD staffers from sexual harrassment. It's possible the current chief may have private concerns about the police board's stance of protecting the harrasser, but I can't see him daring to take a stand publicly in support of his female staffers.

[Rob Randall]

Meanwhile, at FOCUS magazine...

 

[Bingo]

Chief Manak will be addressing the media tomorrow at 10AM regarding the Lowe report.

 

And a phone in discussion on CFAX right now.

http://www.iheartrad.../cfax-1070/more