Non-Partisan Association Councillor Peter Ladner, the vice-president of Business in Vancouver Media Group Ltd., may have spent 35 years in the journalism business. But he seems to have no love for leaked documents that get his supporters into trouble. Back in March, Public Eye reported Allen Langdon - Mr. Ladner's former election campaign manager - had apparently been using his taxpayer-funded e-mail address at 2010 LegaciesNow to send out partisan messages. That prompted Mr. Langdon's resignation from the association's board of directors - and this note from the councillor: "Those who follow 24 Hrs. newspaper will notice that there is a move afoot to take out my supporters, and, by implication, me - at the NPA board, limiting the organization's options for the best possible slate for the 08 election. I find this quite distressing."

"It is very important to me that we get good people onto the board at the upcoming NPA AGM where 8 seats will be up for election," he continued. "That means getting as many members as possible to come out to the meeting...to support a group of board members who can be counted onto be fair, trustworthy, competent and not leak internal board correspondence to the media."

Asked about that email, Mr. Ladner explained, "I was concerned that, if that kind of thing continued or was repeated or escalated it would not be good for me or the NPA." He went onto confirm that was one of the reasons why he ran a slate of board candidates at the meeting - a slate that trounced Mayor Sam Sullivan’s team. The following is an edited copy of the text of the aforementioned email.

***

Dear friends and supporters:

Those who follow 24 Hrs. newspaper will notice that there is a move afoot to take out my supporters, and, by implication, me - at the NPA board, limiting the organization's options for the best possible slate for the 08 election. I find this quite distressing. It is very important to me that we get good people onto the board at the upcoming NPA AGM where 8 seats will be up for election.

That means getting as many members as possible to come out to the meeting on Wednesday April 25, 6:30 for 7 pm (voting at 8 pm) at the Heritage Hall, 15th and Main to support a group of board members who can be counted on to be fair, trustworthy, competent, and not leak internal board correspondence to the media.

My records show that you are not a current NPA member. If you are available Apr. 25, I would encourage you to sign up to become a current member by emailing NPA membership chair Cindy Chan Piper with a copy to (Sheri Wisnowski) ASAP.

Sheri will follow up. Cost is $25, $15 for seniors/youth. Feel free to ask for cards for others who may want to get involved but who may not have heard from me directly. Yours for a better Vancouver.

Peter Ladner