Since when did being mentioned in mainstream newspapers mean that you are a "respected member of the community"? Usually you need to be a white collar crook, a drive-by shooter, or a movie star to be mentioned. I am sure that he quietly does a good job at what he does - and clearly he has the qualifications. If being a Liberal means that you are not allowed to be appointed to the National Capital Commission, then it would mean that over one-third of Canadians would be ineligible.

You are back just in time. The BC legislature will actually meet fairly soon,Stan Hagen will keep twisting in the wind and has pretty well lost any credibility he ever had. He is running out of people to blame. The New Era gang are having a few problems now that folks are asking questions from the other side of the house, not soft ones lobbed from their own bench. It's awful to see some Cabinet members either using outside electronic assistance to answer questions or reading over and over from some policy papers. Gosh says Coleman. I didn't know I couldn't use such a thing wonder where he has been for the last nummber of years. He is a fellow who doesn't really like to be asked much of anything.

The municipal elections are fast approaching.

Doesn't everyone just love politics with it's characters and assorted sleeze artists. Yet only about 30 percent actually vote in municipal elections. Don't vote, don't bitch.

The majority of folks running seem sincere but some are sure misguided. The assumption seems to be, the voters are a bit dense so vote for me.

Are you suggesting that heading the local Party apparatus doesn't automatically confer the distinction of being well known and respected in one's greater community?

This is going to be a bit of a shocker for very many people!

Harry's twisted logic sounds like Steve Hopkins! And the whole thing here is the sort of stuff that is just water off a duck's back for diehard Liberal voters. It doesn't matter a damn to them what Gomery digs up, ... they just mumble on demand how the alternatives are sooo unacceptable.

The Liberal Party strategists only have to do another perfunctory smear job on their opponents, and with the help of a compliant press corps that will be enough for them to keep a rock bottom minimum of 35% of the nationwide popular vote. They Liberals might have to drag their ass through another minority parliament, but any thought of outright defeat just isn't in the cards.

It's not so much teflon preventing scandals from sticking to the party as it is superhard contact cement keeping a share of the electorate stuck to the party no matter what happens.

What's the story here?

Quality candidate gets post!

Seriously ... aren't we looking for people with engineering and land development backgrounds to advise on land development and engineering? These links to his bio only seem to prove the point that he is qualified.

Plus, it is nice to 1.) See BC represented, but 2.) see some minorities playing such a role

"What the story here?"

Loyal Liberal rewarded. Not exactly news, is it?

True ... still ... agreed ... no news here

I personally don't know this latest appointee, nor anything about their background. Nathan, do you personally know this individual, are you able to vouch for their qualifications?

No, me neither .. but look at his bio, and look at what the Commission does. Seems like a fit.

Oh good grief, Budd! What's wrong with you? Forget about the personal intrigue. The guy is a perfect fit based on his credentials. So?! He's also a Grit, big deal!

Never heard of NDPers getting plum jobs in Victoria or Ottawa, when they're even remotely close to power? Or plum spots with the union puppetmasters? Christ Almighty! If there's one party that have the most proven track record in Canandian history in raiding the bloody till, when they get a chance, it's the bloody New Democrats! What the idiots did to this Province last go around makes the Martinites look like choir boys.

Get a life Budd. This guy's qualified and Sean is stretching, again.

Just when I start to like you, you pull this crap.....does anybody know him, so what? Deal with the issue(s). Qualifications: yes. Liberal hack: yes. Big surprise: no.

So where's the story? Not here.

Twisted logic? Now I'm sorry I put your name forward for citizenship judge.

Steve

Do you have any pull with Judy Sgro? I just know I could be an asset to her vis a vis European exotic dancers. That would have to be the plum de la plum of patronage appointments.

all this anti-patronage stuff is just so silly.

people who are interested in serving on boards like this are usually interested in public service.

people who are interested in public service are usually interested in being involved in politics.

big surprise when someone who is appointed to a public board is involved in public life.

if you didn't allow political activists to serve on boards, you will have every weeeny appointed who didn't even bother to volunteer in public life.

Really -- all those people opposed to patronage are really opposed to getting off their duffs and volunteering for a political party.

I have no sympathy for those losers. The biggest leader of these losers is judge gomery.

activist

I have no argument for most of what you say. Patronage is a necessary fact of life in government today and I have no problem with party insiders getting the positions provided they have the expertise.
I di have a problem with liars like Brian Mulroney who campaigned on eliminating paronage then indulged in an orgy of it the minute he was elected. Certain elements of our mass media are complicit in this kind of con game.

Having said all that I can also state that I have the requisite expertise and time volunteered to public service to be in chage of any program to recruit exotic dancers outside of Canada. I'm prepared to vet every one of them...hell I'll even vet two or three at a time.