The shock over Ark Tsisserev needs some clarity.

I have done a little digging on the Ark Tsisserev story, and this is what I have found out from conversations in and around City Hall.

Ark was dismissed following City Council approval of a shared services review recommendation to combine the city electrician position with the head of licensing and inspections

Vancouver is one of the few cities that still had a stand-alone electrician

It was normal process for the dismissal to take place in camera, because the electirician position was a direct hire/dismissal by council

All venues, permanent and temporary for the Olympics were inspected by city staff and signed-off before an occupancy permit was given

There were zero electrical or fire issues arise at any of the venues during the Games – the city’s safety and inspection record speaks for itself

Any specific concerns that had been raised – such as faulty electrical panels in the Olympic Village – were inspected by city staff and no safety issues were found.

That being said, this is about the city’s reputation.

The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) deserved immediate hearing on the issues raised about codes not being met during the Games.

The City would be wise to sit down at the staff level with contractors, union representatives, and other relevant stakeholders – not to review Tsisserev and his dismissal, to but give confidence in safety inspections going forward.

Off to a meeting, but I will check back in later in the day and challenge the claim of certain individuals perpetrating the story of a fire at one of the Olympic venues.

Embellishment is the first word that comes to mind.