Last week, in an interview with Public Eye, civil city commissioner Geoff Plant - who was spotted at the Non-Partisan Association's recent annual dinner - suggested he might also be willing to attend fundraisers hosted by Vision Vancouver or the Coalition of Progressive Electors. So coalition parks commissioner Loretta Woodcock has extended just such an invitation to Mr. Plant. In an email to Public Eye, Ms. Woodcock writes, "After reading your Nov.1 article about Geoff Plant attending a $185 a ticket NPA fundraiser I called Plant's Civil City office today and spoke to his staff. As a result of his fair comments written in your paper about finding a COPE event interesting to attend, and meeting people to get a sense from them about what initiatives the city should be undertaking to ensure Project Civil City gets realized, I invited him to attend a Nov.8 COPE fundraiser hosted by park board commissioners. Tickets are $60."

Continued Ms. Woodcock, "I hope that Mr Plant will see the same merit in attending COPE fundraisers as he does in supporting NPA and Vision fundraisers. This way he will be able to speak to a wider spectrum of residents and hear a larger diversity of views." The following is a complete copy of that email.

***

From: Loretta
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 4:26 PM
Subject: To Sean Holman re: Geoff Plant attending NPA fundraiser

Hello Sean

After reading your Nov.1 article about Geoff Plant attending a $185 a ticket NPA fundraiser I called Plant's Civil City office today and spoke to his staff. As a result of his fair comments written in your paper about finding a COPE event interesting to attend, and meeting people to get a sense from them about what initiatives the city should be undertaking to ensure Project Civil City gets realized, I invited him to attend a Nov.8 COPE fundraiser hosted by park board commissioners. Tickets are $60.

Considering that the dog task force was retired at the Oct.29 park board meeting due to it's inability to deal with the issue of enforcement, and with operating discussions taking place over the next 4 months at city council, I suggested to Plants' staff that one issue that needs stronger resources put behind it by the city is an expanded dog enforcement program that includes not only increases in enforcement personel, but also launching a creative awareness building program for off leash dog parks and "humane" ticketing of errant dog owners. By addressing irresponsible dog owner behaviours, it would make the city a better place for everyone. I have some ideas that I have heard from residents that could contribute to some innovative ways to improve the city's dog enforcement program.

I hope that Mr Plant will see the same merit in attending COPE fundraisers as he does in supporting NPA and Vision fundraisers. This way he will be able to speak to a wider spectrum of residents and hear a larger diversity of views.

Sincerely
Loretta

-----------------
Commissioner Loretta Woodcock
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation