A good old fashioned political dust-up erupted at city hall Tuesday between Mayor Gregor Robertson and NPA Coun. George Affleck.
The topic: The land dispute in Marpole involving the Musqueam Indian Band and a private property owner wanting to build a condominium complex.
Affleck took on the mayor for weighing in on the dispute by siding with the Musqueam. As I reported several weeks ago, Robertson not only signed the bands petition calling for a complicated land swap, he also spent time drumming with protesters outside the property at Southwest Marine Drive.
Some context: An archaeological dig of the site uncovered the intact remains of two adults and two infants believed to be ancestors of the Musqueam. The Musqueam has protested at the site since May 3 and suggested a land swap involving the property owner, provincial government and the city. The band wants the land turned into an interpretive park.
Those negotiations continue.
And that was Afflecks pointthat the mayor shouldnt come out publicly supporting one party over the other when private negotiations are ongoing. I sympathize with the Musqueam band, of course, but I also sympathize with the owners of the property, said Affleck, who was flabbergasted by the mayors public support for the band.
Affleck was also concerned the mayor did this without approval from councillors and suggested the city could be put in a precarious legal position.
Before Robertson responded, he deferred to city manager Penny Ballem for an update on the negotiations. She pointed out the provincial governments announcement late last week that it rescinded the permits for the property. Now, she said, the Musqueam is negotiating with the developer.
Then it was the mayors turn.
I do take real exception to Coun. Afflecks motion that council did not authorize me to take a position on this. I have some sad news for you: I do not require your permission to take a public position and demonstrate leadership on an important issue for the city. I was elected by the people of Vancouver to be the mayor of this city and I take that for what it is.
He continued. Coun. Affleck, I know you may like to be able to direct every bit of advocacy that I might do on behalf of the people of Vancouver. Thats laughable, thats not going to happen. I need to take this position on behalf of citizens.
Affleck got in the last word.
To throw all your cards on the table is an inappropriate and juvenile way to behave when were having these significant discussions with various groups.
Then this.
This is not a dictatorship. He represents all of Vancouver and hes one vote on the council and he does not represent just me or him or anybody. Hes here to represent and lead us and not create a situation where it complicates us and puts us in a very, very litigious situation.
So far, that hasnt happened. The protest, meanwhile, continues.
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Affleck and Robertson, however, managed to agree on another controversial issue facing the city: separated bike lanes.
The day after the dust-up, Affleck joined the mayor and others of the councils planning and environment committee to unanimously approve making the temporary lanes on Hornby and Dunsmuir streets permanent.
Council did so despite concerns raised from Charles Gauthier of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association about trouble with right-turn lanes and the lanes negative effect on downtown businesses.
The separated bike lane network allows a cyclist to ride in a lane protected by barriers from Kitsilano to Chinatown.
Twitter: @Howellings
