I noted one of Ian Reid’s previous articles in Vancouver Observer a month or so ago, but it now looks as though Mr. Reid is going to be providing regular blog fodder from the left, copying the Citycaucus@ TM style — FOIs left and right and accusations of impropriety.
The latest is a front-“page” story about contracts for website work under the Sam Sullivan administration.
For those not in the know:
Ian Reid, former chief of staff to NDP leader Carole James
Vancouver Observer, online newspaper run by Linda Solomon, former reporter at the Tennessean and sister of Joel Solomon, who has been a fan and financial supporter of Gregor Robertson and, latterly, Vision Vancouver for some years.
Also, to round this story out, is the response from Mike Klassen, the subject of Ian’s FOI’s and aspersions of wrong-doing. (Though Mike also gets a crack at defending himself in the original post — a new tactic on the blog scene.)
15 responses so far ↓
1 Ian // Sep 28, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Frances, one has to find a way to occupy the mind during treatment at the clinic. And it’s only three FOIs in six months. I promise to be good.
Ian
2 Frances Bula // Sep 28, 2010 at 10:02 pm
@Ian. Are you trying to tell us something? What clinic?
3 Fred // Sep 29, 2010 at 6:59 am
those guys are on the very stupid side of stupid. if you are going to try and smear someone, never admit your own guilt as part of the drive by . . .
“It turns out Klassen is guilty of exactly the same thing for Mayor Sam Sullivan…”.
So he admits FD Elements are Guilty as Charged.
Good work Mike & thx Francis for exposing the criminality of the leftoid side of the street, Vision and our “progressive” mayor.
Now, time to charge FD Element so we – taxpayers can get our money back.
4 rf // Sep 29, 2010 at 7:41 am
Talk about spinning. Is it not safe to say that the finger pointing over paying ‘political friends’ to do work once you are elected is pretty standard practice?
I come to expect the finger wagging by opposition politicians. The mayor needs a website, regardless of party. I don’t really expect the money to be spent super efficiently by either side.
But why are we letting the new Vision-spinner get away from the real issue.
This is not about FD Element or Mike Klassen working on their respective political parties/mayors websites!!!!!!!!!!
This is about a covert contract that buried part of it’s actually objective; To pay Jon Ross to slam political Vision opponents with public funds.
That’s all!
For example, Ian’s spinning is fair game. The mayor’s Auntie Linda is paying for someone (Ian) to slam the NPA and co. Their money, therefore fair.
But stop letting Ian spin away from the real issue. Did taxpayers pay Jon Ross? If they swear he didn’t, come up with a better lie than “the invoice (issued the day after the contract with Ross’s name on it) is for work done last year”. And does anyone really believe that the confidential source was lying about Mike Magee directing traffic on Citiscene? Really? This Vision supporting mope is just making it up?
C’mon.
5 Ian // Sep 29, 2010 at 8:03 am
I’m not paid for any writing I do. Linda saw my blog and asked if I would cross post on the Observer. I mainly write on provincial politics.
Currently, I’m on medical leave, dealing with cancer.
6 rf // Sep 29, 2010 at 8:27 am
Keep spinning away from the real issue… So she’s not paying you. It’s still moot.
Who paid Jon Ross? (directly or indirectly) That’s the issue.
Sorry about the medical leave but I don’t see how throwing it out there was relevant.
7 Ian // Sep 29, 2010 at 8:39 am
Last word, I promise.
I posted about my current situation because of the allegation above that I’m being paid. I want it to be very clear that rf’s allegation is untrue. And I want it to be clear that I’m in no position to work or be paid at the present time.
8 rf // Sep 29, 2010 at 8:45 am
Fair enough.
My point was that it really doesn’t matter if you are. Vision and their wallets are free to spend their money however they want.
PS. If this is what your work looks like when you are not well, the NPA should fear when you are healthy again……because its’ pretty good spin!
9 spartikus // Sep 29, 2010 at 9:08 am
We have a deal b/w the taxpayer and a company with a contract and few invoices…
We have a deal b/w the taxpayer and a company with no contract and lots of invoices…
We a contract b/w two private companies, but some won’t believe what’s written on it, because there isn’t a lot written on it.
We have one individual whose stated position is he operates his Citycaucus as a labour of love but who is not prepared to concede another individual the same rationale for Civicscene.
We have two mystery witnesses. One who wishes to remain anonymous because he doesn’t want to seem like a weasel. The other because he wants to continue doing business with those he considers weasels.
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Vancouver, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
10 IanS // Sep 29, 2010 at 9:12 am
@Spartikus #9,
LOL…
So, who are the Capulets and who are the Montagues?
11 spartikus // Sep 29, 2010 at 10:33 am
I think that will depend on who our Mercutio is.
12 IanS // Sep 29, 2010 at 10:40 am
I can’t imagine who would fill that role in this context.
13 rf // Sep 29, 2010 at 10:49 am
Duh! Bob Rennie!!!!!!!
14 Stepan Vdovine // Sep 29, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@Ian best wishes and here’s to a quick recovery.
15 Harry Canary // Oct 10, 2010 at 8:11 am
Jeez, Frances, I leave visiting your site for a while and miss all the hot blogger-on-blogger action.
I think it’s *adorable* that Canadian municipal politics is learning to sling soggy soil while operating under the auspices of “impartial observers”.
It’s such a shovel-ready industry and goodness knows, we’re all looking to dig for *something* these days (bottles with money in them is the new black); what with all the belt tightening going on.
It’s just a shame that municipal politics in Vancouver plays at the party system mentality; consider the ummmm… “financially rewarding” ruckus those of us seeking a well greased palm could kick up if Vancouver went to a ward system!
PS: If there’s a glad-handing developer type with political aspirations out there seeking carefully crafted concerned citizens with little to no bias other than the uhhhhh…. truth, hey – we should talk. Nudge. Wink. Nudge.