Posts Tagged ‘Olympic Village’

Documents prove that Ark Tsisserev signed off on safety concerns

Posted by Jonathan Ross

A telling set of documents regarding the Ark Tsisserev affair have been sent to CivicScene, challenging the trumped up claims of a group of political motivated individuals.

I have just received a very telling set of documents regarding the Ark Tsisserev issue, which has now taken on a level of political maneuvering and innuendo that doesn’t line up with the facts.

Alex Tsakumis writes in his post from yesterday morning that:

“…this whole matter began after I was leaked the email stream between Ark Tsisserev and his colleagues, from October, November and December of last year and then into early January–when he first raised concerns related to life safety issues with respect the the Olympic Village and then was concerned about inspection limitations for the pending Olympics.

He adds in a challenge regarding the safety sign-off by Tsisserev:

“If all Olympic venues were approved by city electrical inspectors in accordance with all recognized electrical and safety standards, release all the reports.”

In a post from February 9, Tsakumis also seems to suggest that Ark was fired as the whistleblower who was bringing forth safety concerns, and whom the city wanted to silence:

“An outstanding employee is fired after he spent the last two months of his tenure seeking answers to safety concerns about the Olympic Village that would be filled to the brim by unsuspecting Olympic athletes from all over the world not ten weeks from when Mr. Tsisserev discovered something might be wrong. In the midst of, presumably, seeking corrections, that exemplary employee is unceremoniously marched out of his office like a common thug, in front of his staff…”

I now have evidence in hand that proves otherwise.

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Paralympic snubs an absolute disgrace

Posted by Jonathan Ross

The Paralympic Games have thus far been treated with disrespect by everyone except the Vancouver public, who have embraced them with open arms.

We are on the verge of hosting the second largest multi-sport festival on earth and about to bare witness to strength, determination and courage the likes of which our region has rarely experienced.  Yet it is a number of high-profile snubs rather than the celebrations that have left an indelible mark on me as an observer.

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A reality check for “Ambassador” Sullivan

Posted by Jonathan Ross

Paralympic Ambassador Sam Sullivan has a very short memory about his own record in office.

Today’s Vancouver Courier arrived on my doorstep with the following front page headline:

Athletes Village balconies aren’t wheelchair accessible: Former mayor and Paralympic Games ambassador calls situation a ’scandal‘”

In consideration of the efforts of Sullivan to make Vancouver the most accessible jurisdiction in the world in advance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, this is most definitely a scandal.

The problem for the current Paralympic Ambassador and former Mayor, however, is that responsibility for the scandal rests solely on his shoulders.

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The politicization of City Hall bureaucracy? It’s about time

Posted by Jonathan Ross

CivicScene's makes a return to the Vancouver Sun this morning.

CivicScene is back with the first oped in a new series beginning in today’s Vancouver Sun.

Critics of the current administration at City Hall tend to frame their grievances on the accusation that the civil service has been politicized.  In fact, when I spoke to lone NPA City Councillor Suzanne Anton over the Olympic Games and asked what her biggest objection to Vision Vancouver was, this was her first response.

But let’s for a moment consider the alternative.

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Fri May 18, 2012

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FACT OF THE DAY

In 2010, Vancouver had fewer than half the number of murders than it had in 2009.  There were nine homicides within Vancouver’s city limits, down from 19 killings the previous year.

Quote OF THE DAY

“Perhaps it was my silk dress or the new perfume I’ve been wearing lately. When I asked Suzanne Anton what her New Year’s resolution was, she replied, “To kiss a pretty girl!” and pecked me on the cheek.”  – Writer Emily Barca describing her encounter with the lone NPA City Councillor on New Year’s Eve.

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