Who are Anton and Robertson mysterious donors?

Show me the money!

I scoff at lone NPA councillor Suzanne Anton and lone NPA Park Board Commissioner Ian Robertson talking about”offers from concerned citizens” or “private donor…offer[ing] $100,000” with regards to the decision to stop subsidies to the Stanley Park petting zoo and the Bloedel Conservatory.

Where are these mysterious donors?  Why not bring them forward, or at least the cash for someone who wishes to remain anonymous, and back up your words?

Oh yeah…and one more question:

Why would either institution turn such a contribution down if the money was being offered?

These are the kinds of empty attacks that ring false.

If the donors exist, wonderful.  You can take full credit for saving these “icons,” and you can criticize Council all you want.  Say that it is a shame that private citizens are having to fund where Council refuses. And then, both of you would have a leg (or two) to stand on.

But let’s cut the BS.  Stop the innuendo.

Saying “they were ignored” is ridiculous.  If a half-hearted offer came through, or something verbal without anything in writing, and it was not given immediate attention by overworked city staff, that is your fault – the both of you.

You are supposed to be the advocates, and with this claim, the defacto fundraisers.  Which again, I think would be a fantastic contribution if indeed you could arrange it.  You would be worthy of praise (although as I have mentioned before, sometimes causes in Vancouver have their heads screwed on the wrong way).

But Council has just addressed its budget priorities (a release just went out and I will be commenting on it in a few hours), and savings were needed.  Park Board decided to cut funding for these two attractions, because at the end of the day, it was better than cutting the hours for community centres or lifeguards on duty.

So, as Cuba Gooding Jr. once said at the peak of his relevance (before the likes of Snow Dogs and Daddy Day Care):

Show Me The Money! OWWWWHOWWWHOWWWW

Now speaking of actors who have outlasted their best days…