Democracy for Vancouver

n November 14th, Vancouver’s most notorious complainer, (and until recently) one of the Columbian’s most frequently published writer of Letters to the Editor, sent out another of his e-mailed rants via his “Local Mailing List”.

Given Mr. Patella’s favor during the campaign to defeat the IDD Levy, and in electing Port Commissioner-Elect Jerry Oliver, I was surprised that Commander Kneecap’s victory lap did not appear here at D4V. A close examination of that rant will likely reveal the reasons why. I am not going to waste D4V bandwidth by re-posting Patella’s latest hate-filled rant here, but here is a link to where you can go read it for yourself, and judge for yourselves if I am accurate about what I have to say.

Most of you know that I attend the regular meetings of the Port of Vancouver as often as I can. I was in attendance last Tuesday when Commissioner-Elect Jerry Oliver delivered his remarks to the Port Commissioners, with no prior notice or arrangement to do so, and when Oliver’s campaign manager, Morris Foutch engaged in shouting his complaints loudly at Port Commissioner Arch Miller at the end of the meeting.

Jerry Oliver has a special status in our system of government, now that he has been duly elected, but is not yet sworn. He is no longer “just” a regular citizen, nor is he yet a duly sworn Legislator. I submit that status invokes special Responsibilities, that specifically involve Mr. Oliver invoking his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, instead of exercising his Right to Free Speech.

There can be no argument that Commissioner Miller was soundly defeated in the election. He has a responsibility and an obligation under the Law to do everything he can to ensure a smooth transition of power to his duly elected successor, Mr. Oliver. As he revealed at the meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Miller has personally reached out to Oliver and offered him a personal tour of the Port facilities to get Jerry up to speed. Not only did Oliver turn Commissioner Miller down flat, he refused 2 more offers for the same tour from Port Director Larry Paulson, (who is on the Port Staff, NOT in an elected position). I see no justification to spurn the Port Director, who is someone that Oliver will clearly need to work with over the next six years.

In addition, had Commissioner-Elect Oliver decided to stick around instead of leaving the building promptly after delivering his remarks, he would have had an opportunity to sit in on the first session to discuss the upcoming 2008 budget for the Port of Vancouver. I don’t know about you my friends, but if I were a newly elected Commissioner in waiting, I would jump at any opportunity I could find to educate myself about the way the Port operates now, so I could at least be better prepared to offer up some effective ways to implement all of the campaign promises that I made during the run up to the election.

Sadly, and very disturbingly, Jerry Oliver spurned all of those opportunities for the sake of what sure looks like a pre-meditated political stunt. Larry Patella’s remarks appear to me to endorse that kind of unacceptable behavior, as well as take credit for getting Jerry Oliver elected in the first place. I know that sentiment does not go over here very well either, since I was rebuffed every time I suggested that anyone endorsed Patella’s views, or if I suggested that he spoke for them about the IDDL, Jerry Oliver, Charlie Stemper, et al…

Curiouser and curiouser…

Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is just post-election sour grapes. I have the political maturity to recognize that I don’t win all of the elections, and I have to find ways to work with the people who are in charge anyway. I have never voted for Patty Murray and likely never will, but I recognize her as my United States Senator, and realize she is worth working with to get some things I feel are important in my Community . That same feeling goes for Commissioner Oliver, and anyone who holds one third of the power at the Port of Vancouver is worth working with.

That said, if you will take the time to review the CVTV coverage of Oliver’s impromptu remarks during the Citizen’s comment period, and the shameful shouting from his campaign manager, I think you might begin to see that we have a potential problem on our hands. This kind of stunt was awkwardly executed, and indicates very poor judgement as well as disrespect for the normally calm deportment that has characterized the Port meetings for years. Patella’s endorsement makes it all the worse, and an ominous indicator of trouble ahead if this kind of nonsense continues

Let me be clear. Jerry Oliver did nothing illegal. We all have an undeniable right to free speech that should not be abridged. I am saying that once elected to any public office, the victor has a responsibility to sit down and shut up, and allow the person that was voted out a chance to tidy up and prepare to make a smooth transition.. After three consecutive terms on the Port Commission, the least Arch Miller is owed is a dignified exit, and a hearty “Thank You for your Service”. To add insult to injury like this is not only wrong, it demeans our political processes and brings into question Mr. Oliver’s suitability for any elected position.

Until now, I never heard of a “Sore Winner”, but that is exactly what Commissioner-Elect Jerry Oliver looks like, and what Larry Patella is proving with his latest hateful message. Thinking people and serious voters would do well to note this incident, and remain vigilant for trouble down the road.

Stout Hearts…