Dear golfers,
This is an emergency! Last night was the first in a series of All Candidates meetings of Park Board Commissioners. Only two golfers showed up to talk to 16 candidates, all of whom were readily available to speak to voters.
In response to a hostile question from the floor, a majority of candidates indicated they were open to repurposing Langara Golf Course for other uses. The exceptions were TEAM, NPA and ABC candidates. Tricia Barker and fellow Team candidates Kumi Kumura and Michelle Mollineaux powerfully defended golf, as did NPA candidates Dave Pasin and Jason Upton. ABC candidates Jas Virdi and Laura Christianson also spoke in golf’s favour.
Incumbents John Irwin and Gwen Giesbrecht continued their drive to reduce Langara to nine holes, with as yet undetermined uses of the remaining area.
It’s evident that most candidates do not have good information or input from golfers. New candidates are receptive to hear from us, but we’re not showing up.
The crucial ask:
Would you commit to attending one or more All Candidates Meetings? By return email, would you let us know which meetings you will attend? We’ll send along a briefing package on golf and land use to help out.
The list of meetings is on the VGPA web site as well as below.
We await your response!
Park Board All Candidates Meetings:
Sept 23: Mount Pleasant Community Centre: 6.30pm, Gym #1 Kingsway @ 7th and Main
Sept 24: TEAM for a Livable Vancouver is hosting a “Meet the Candidates” opportunity at St Pauls Anglican Church, 1.00-3.30pm 1130 Jervis St, Vancouver
Sept 27: West End Community Centre: 6.00-9.00pam, Auditorium, Main Floor 870 Denman St.
Sept 29: Hastings Community Centre: doors Open 6.30pm, 3096 Hasting Street East
Oct 3: Kerrisdale Community Centre: 7-9pm, 5851 West Boulevard.
Oct 12: VBGA (VanDusen Botanical Garden): 7-9 p.m. Need to PreBook.
