[whatnext]

Plunging staff morale, politicizing the civil service, can it get any worse? Especially when its leaked to the Sun. Maybe its time Penny be shown the door.

The Vision Vancouver administration at City Hall is implementing its agenda so aggressively that staff morale has plummeted and many fear the civil service is in danger of becoming politicized, according to the association representing more than 700 non-union employees.

That fear is so acute that there is now a loss of respect and trust throughout the organization, and staff are fearful of reprisals for speaking out, the Vancouver Association of Civic Managerial and Professional Staff said in a memo to City Manager Penny Ballem....

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/City+staff+politicized+worn+down+aggressive+council+agenda+memo/3466108/story.html#ixzz0yKbSRRcv

[Yume-sama]

How in the f are there actually 700 non-unionized employees in BC?

[s211]

^

You can bet that this study will be used to force them to unionize (to the bike riders' union).

[Stingray2004]

Mayor Moonbeam's chief of staff, Mike Magee, was recently quoted in an interview as referring to 'problem persons' as "idiots" and "complete motherfuckers". Remember, this character is Mayor Moonbeam's strategist and confident.

http://www.vanmag.com/News_and_Features/Mayor_Gregor_Robertsons_Right_Hand_Man

Just this past week, Mayor Moonbeam's chief of staff has been calling newsrooms and threatening lawsuits if they reported on a Vision Vancouver "media hit list" that was apparently leaked by a Vision Vancouver insider. Richard Nixon also had a hit list to screw his political enemies.

What a wonderful bunch running Van City Hall!

http://alexgtsakumis.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/vision_email_redacted.jpg


http://alexgtsakumis.com/2010/09/03/visions-vancouver-media-hit-list-the-deniers-threaten-while-we-pull-back-a-little-more-of-the-curtain-more-questions/

[Yume-sama]

lol that is Gold. We have our own budding little Marxist?? :D

This NEEDS to be plastered on the front page of every newspaper, and lead every newscast.

Government turns to tyranny when the citizens stay quiet.

[whatnext]

Nice to see Vision Vancouver self-immolating. :banana:

Look for Mayor Moonbeam to back track on his pet projects and lay low for the next year in hope's of getting re-elected. These clowns can't be gone soon enough.

[Yume-sama]

They can if the alternative is even worse. They could succeed in making Gregor look like a moderate.

[whatnext]

They can if the alternative is even worse. They could succeed in making Gregor look like a moderate.

The NPA is actually pretty moderate (in recent history anyway). COPE, not so much.

[whatnext]

Looks like Frau Ballem's and Vision Vancouver's reign of terror at City Hall has claimed yet another victim:

CityCaucus.com has learned that on Friday Vancouver's City Clerk responsible for Freedom of Information requests Paul Hancock, Manager, Corporate Information & Privacy, has tendered his resignation. It is believed that Hancock did not have another job opportunity when he made this decision.

The reaction from sources within inside City Hall is a sense of sadness. Hancock's reputation as one of the most honourable public servants is well-known. A lawyer by training, Hancock always sought to uphold the principles of the Freedom of Information act despite urging by the City Manager Penny Ballem to delay response times, and her practice of destroying records and deleting emails....
http://www.citycaucus.com/2010/11/breaking-news-vancouvers-freedom-of-information-officer-quits#more

[wrenegade]

When is the next election? We can't get rid of Vision soon enough.

[whatnext]

When is the next election? We can't get rid of Vision soon enough.

Almost exactly one year away.

A lot of damage can be done in one year.:(

[racc]

Looks like Frau Ballem's and Vision Vancouver's reign of terror at City Hall has claimed yet another victim:

CityCaucus.com has learned that on Friday Vancouver's City Clerk responsible for Freedom of Information requests Paul Hancock, Manager, Corporate Information & Privacy, has tendered his resignation. It is believed that Hancock did not have another job opportunity when he made this decision.

The reaction from sources within inside City Hall is a sense of sadness. Hancock's reputation as one of the most honourable public servants is well-known. A lawyer by training, Hancock always sought to uphold the principles of the Freedom of Information act despite urging by the City Manager Penny Ballem to delay response times, and her practice of destroying records and deleting emails....
http://www.citycaucus.com/2010/11/breaking-news-vancouvers-freedom-of-information-officer-quits#more
More misinformation from City Circus. Looks like he actually left because he got another job.

From:
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/civiclee/archive/2010/11/01/vancouver-s-budget-survey-boots-out-businesses.aspx

I've been told that he tendered his resignation and is leaving to move to another job. The words were "a fabulous opportunity" and I gather it may be in a similar line of work.

There is not much point in posting anything from City Caucus as it is pretty much all just political spin that has a challenged relationship with the truth.

[whatnext]

More misinformation from City Circus. Looks like he actually left because he got another job.

From:
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/civiclee/archive/2010/11/01/vancouver-s-budget-survey-boots-out-businesses.aspx


There is not much point in posting anything from City Caucus as it is pretty much all just political spin that has a challenged relationship with the truth.

Tsk tsk, lobbyists shouldn't really be putting all their eggs in one political basket. Not very pragmatic.

From your quote:

...So I am not sure what to make of Hancock's departure, other than to remember that people leave jobs all the time. Mike suggests that Hancock is leaving because of interference from City Manager Penny Ballem and raises the spectre of Vision Vancouver wanting to further undermine the principles of freedom if information... (bold mine)

[whatnext]

Funny Vancouver employee survey parody in today's G & M:

Thank you for taking the time to fill out the City of Vancouver’s Employee Dissatisfaction Survey 2010.

This survey is being conducted to help us understand why so many of you are unhappy.

This questionnaire is confidential, but by clicking “Submit” you grant the city manager permission to track you down individually and tell you why you’re wrong.

The results of this survey will be presented to council, on short notice, and spun in the most positive way possible...

Q4. How would you describe the performance of current city manager Penny Ballem?

a) Better than Judy Rogers.

b) Much better than Judy Rogers.

c) She’s worth every penny of her $313,577 annual salary.*

d) Is she really not going to read this?

*City of Vancouver 2009 statement of financial information

Q5. Please state whether you agree, agree strongly, agree very strongly, or agree, like, super-strongly with the following statement:

“Mayor Gregor Robertson is one handsome dude but that mustache made him look totally ’70s porn-star creepy.”

And finally, a couple of general questions about how the city works:

Q6. Which of the follow best describes your feelings about the public process demonstrated during Vancouver city council meetings:

a) I like how they make decisions first, then ask for public input. It shows initiative.

b) I am happy to take an entire day off work to speak to council for five minutes.

c) I like the way they treat city staff and members of the public like toddlers. It’s cute.

d) I lost interest after Councillor Ellen Woodsworth read the prayer...

More: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/stephen-quinn/surveying-municipal-damage/article1825229/

[whatnext]

From the "beatings will continue until morale improves" file at City Hall:

A senior city inspector responsible for an Eastside Vancouver property where three men died in a fire has abruptly left her job, prompting shock throughout City Hall and a flurry of political accusations.

Community-services manager David McLellan confirmed that Carlene Robbins unexpectedly announced she was quitting in the middle of a meeting with her supervisor on Monday. She handed over her keys, security card and phone, told her staff she was leaving, and then left...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/inspector-responsible-for-house-where-3-died-in-fire-abruptly-quits/article1885738/

And from Frances' blog:
..There are allegations that she quit or was asked to quit because of something to do with the fire and the inspection process. But that’s all pure speculation so far. We don’t really know.

All most of us who knew Carlene can say for sure is that she was an asset to the city and things will be worse without her.

And you have to wonder about a work environment where she feels she has no place. (bold mine)
http://www.francesbula.com/

[DKaz]

Scandulous.

[cc85]

I've heard from people that the community services department has morale issues as well.

[Overground]

Bad communication and bad management equals lack of respect. This requires a change. At least that's what it was like in my work place.

[CameronT120]

If a city inspector makes a mistake, why shouldn't they be held accountable? Those of us who work in the real world are.

[dreambrother808]

Yes, but if you hate Gregor Robertson then everything in the end must be his fault. :rolleyes: