With a new park board being sworn in Dec. 5, I asked the outgoing commissioners for final words.
Green Party commissioner Stuart Mackinnon, who ran in this past municipal election but wasn't re-elected, says he's OK having some spare time in his life now, but is concerned about the direction the park board is taking. "I'm afraid the park board is losing its focus about what it's there to do, and that's looking out for parks and recreation," said Mackinnon.
The elementary school teacher is also concerned about a decision to increase fees for pre-schoolers and lower the budget for maintenance.
"I'm glad to see [NPA commissioner] John Coupar elected to the board," said Mackinnon. "Like me, his emphasis is on parks and recreation."
Outgoing NPA commissioner Ian Robertson, who did not run for re-election, is proud of the fact he followed through on his main election promise from six years ago.
"My mandate was to increase the number of turf fields in the city," said Robertson. "We started with two when I came in and now there's nine. I don't pat myself on the back very often, but I'm really proud that I was able to deliver on that promise."
Robertson offered this advice to the incoming board: "There needs to be a strong sense of consensus. There's a time and place for politics and it's not at the board table."
Robertson says there were times he felt politics got in the way of the business of the board and he'd like to see that end.
"Even though I was the lone NPAer on the board, I never considered myself the 'opposition,'" said Robertson. "My role was not to play the opposition, but was to bring another perspective to the park board."
In his six years on the board, Robertson came to appreciate the hard work done by parks staff.
"For the most part, this is not a nine-to-five job," he said. "Parks staff has a passion for what they do and I respect that."
Robertson played coy when asked about his future political aspirations.
"I'm taking a break-for now," he said laughing. "I'll let you know if anything changes."
Outgoing Vision Vancouver commissioner Raj Hundal also paid tribute to parks staff during our conversation.
"Staff has been wonderful to work with," said Hundal, who recently moved to Surrey where he plans to seek a seat with the NDP in the next provincial election.
Hundal is proud of the board's efforts to get involved with pressuring the provincial government to keep homeless shelters open, to allow community centres be used as voting stations during the HST referendum, and working to have the Komagata Maru memorial placed in Harbour Green Park.
Hundal has no concerns about the park board moving forward.
"With the remaining Vision commissioners combined with new blood, I feel like I'm leaving the board in good hands," he said.
The Courier was unable to reach COPE commissioner Loretta Woodcock before press deadline, so will catch up with her next Wednesday in this column.
Twitter: @sthomas10
