Interesting. Newcomen Holden has more pull in NPA backrooms that De Genova, who's been around a while. I wonder why?

Budd, I think this is so because De Genova has traditionally been a fairly inconsistent and ineffective politician. I mean, why would anyone trust a guy who has show so little ability to be a team player? Besides, Holden is the future, De Genova is the past.

If it is true that Al DeGenova has been suspended from NPA Caucus, then those responsible for this should be congratulated, in particular the Mayor. Many of us were skeptical that such an appropriate course of action would result. And in that respect, we're happy to have been wrong.

Al has been a very good public servant over the years, but his actions against his own party are disturbing. They have been for some time. He should take the time to refocus. He need not make factually challenged statements anymore about Heather Holden or the NPA, as the logical next step is his permanent departure from the party.

It didn't have to be that way, Allan.

This makes the dynamics of Peter Ladner challenging Sam Sullivan for the mayor's seat that much more interesting. De Genova is an outstanding elected official, working hard for the communities he represents. Look for him to run for council now.

Sam doesn't like dissent. Maybe he's taking his cues from Stephen Harper.

"Look for him to run for council now."
Council? No, he could have done that in the NPA. His ambitions are probably higher.
"Sam doesn't like dissent. Maybe he's taking his cues from Stephen Harper."
There is a difference between dissent and sabotage.

http://www.npavancouver.ca/elected.html
someone is missing

The NPA just sent out an announcement from the mayor confirming Al d's suspension.

Let's watch the sparks fly! DeGenova will go postal.

Stephen Harper would not have handled it like this. Harper would have without a whisper taken care of business. Now there is no other choice but for Al D to step up and take the bull by the horns. If he sticks around with the NPA he is branded a coward.

This is about Heather Holden and her employer the mighty aquarium. First we have the new neophyte chair's desire to control. That is because, unlike her academic training, her social skills, let's say, have room for improvement, so control is the first instinct here. Behind her is the desperate aquarium who need Degenova's support on both the referenda motions and their expansion proposal. Degenova's been around a long time and understands the issues and politics around the aquarium, having lived through a multitude of controversies around the aquarium during his four terms on the park board, and it appears there is something there that makes him uncomfortable. Then we have the aquarium's historical tentacles into the NPA, and as history has shown us with former park board commissioner David Chessman, the NPA want to be amenable to the aquarium's desires. And it appears that the aquarium's issues have been pivotal to the park board chair and Degenova drawing the battle lines, not to mention the obvious lack of respect between them. It must be very frustrating for the park board chair/ aquarium employee not to be openly engaged in the aquarium issue, as she is fully aware of the conflict of interest that this creates. She does have commissioner Ian Robertson as her conduit, where all information and decisions around the aquarium are shared. However is this good politics for the NPA? Degenova too has deep tentacles around the city and a long history of public service. The public have an affection for Degenova, as they have shown through their dogged support of him, even when the NPA were in the electoral doghouse. Is the aquarium worth the implosion of the "new" generation of ambitious NPA'ers with the long time "old" generation of stalwarts? And Sam Sullivan I daresay is one of the old timers, and he is turning his back on his long time NPA commissioner. Watch your back Sam. And you can bet that Suzanne Anton is salivating in the backroom at city hall, as she holds a personal vendetta towards Degenova for not supporting her fully during her term as park board commissioner, however that is another story....

Jack

Budd, ... Holden is the future, De Genova is the past.

Posted by george on May 29, 2006 09:23 AM

Perhpas so, george. But aren't you just saying what I said in the other thread, that the NPA pols have either been blinded by Holden's famous good looks or else she, like Nystedt, is connected to some monied establishment family.

Sorry Budd, I did not see the other thread but will check it out.

Yes, Holden has good looks.... and a Phd in a related field to back it up. Substance and a degree of charm together are important in politics - i would think we can agree on that.

More importantly, Heather has a reputation from the last election as an extremely hard worker and a team player who stays on message. Funny how those elements help one succeed in politics. I am unaware of any "monied establishment family" connection.

For many years I have been a fan of the NPA, voting solely for them at election. I have closely watched all who have been elected and have really admired Degenova for looking to the community for their input. The only thing I see Mr. Degenova being targeted for is his care and dedication to the community...I am beginning to think that maybe other members of the NPA feel threatened by him??..If this is how the NPA wants to deal with matters, then I am sorry to say that if Mr. Degenova leaves, my npa votes will leave as well, with an exception for 1 other...in closing I would like to say if the NPA is looking to lose votes, they are doing a good job.

Well, looks like NPA isn't backing the winning horse anymore! Sad to say, because De Genova's drive and dedication to the people, I assure you, will continue far beyond the NPA's closed door approach.

If you think this changes things for De Genova's political career, your right. For the better. He's got my vote, and it looks like NPA has one less.

I dont live in Vancouver, so I dont really care much about NPA (bunch of liberls promping up a tory(?) mayor, so what do I care). But when you have got such a divisive caucus as Campbell had, I wonder what's head for the future of the party. Cuz we know COPE doesnt have much future left.

As usual, Alex Tsakumis is commending himself, whats new???? Anyways Alex if you feel so strongly about Allan not speaking to the media and support your colleagues desicion, why may I ask did you come on here and post yourself??? did you ok this with Sam first?

Where did Tsakumis commend himself goodlistener now or past? As far as I know he took the bullet for some of the winners at the agm. But I suspect he didn;t mind much. Why should a former npa director not have the right to speak openly? He had nothing to do with deGenova's suspension and never claimed that he did! A retired member of the board making an open comment is a very different situation from a sitting npa representative dumping on his colleagues. If you don't get that then you might be a good listerner but also a lousy reader. Tsakumis is really under your skin. Now that can't be too comfy.

http://beyondrobson.com/city/2006/06/person_of_the_week_alan_degenova/