To the editor:
Re: “Upstart party promises surprise candidates,” Sept. 5.
I write in response to Mike Howell’s piece, “Upstart party promises surprise candidates.”
Previous stories in the Courier referenced Mr. Johl “leading” the six community centre associations, which are engaged in legal action against park board, which is untrue. I want to thank Mike for correcting that statement in his online article.
I would also like to clarify this often-confusing matter further for the public.
Early in 2012, the park board sought to usurp independent community decision-making over programming at local community centres., and by doing so take control of the profits of these community organized operations. The attempted move was a clear attack on locally elected volunteer boards that had, for decades, provided prudent oversight of assets shared, in common, with the park board.
Of the 16 affected centres, six felt that it would be a betrayal of their sworn duties to comply. These six from across Vancouver — west and east sides — fairly represent the city’s ethnic, demographic and economic diversity.
Individually, we found that we could not comply with park board’s demands, and — with the support of our members and patrons — stood up to the attempted takeover. At the time, I was president at Hastings. I can attest to the fact that we (all of us) found ourselves collectively committed in our resolve. There were neither associations that were led, nor individuals who were leaders.
We have never endorsed any civic political party and remain committed to working with elected officials to ensure that our communities retain their voices in decision making and stewardship in our local community centres.
Eric Harms,
Vancouver
