tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post3091437082860757268..comments2024-03-27T22:35:59.040-07:00Comments on Michael Geller's Blog: Election Post Mortemmichael gellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08988502321448301128noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-28366044577722817802011-11-27T03:33:23.716-08:002011-11-27T03:33:23.716-08:00I agree with "anonymous"
The NPA and Ad...I agree with "anonymous"<br /><br />The NPA and Adrianne Carr should be very grateful that Vision Vancouver didn't run a full slate of candidates.<br /><br />It wasn't long ago (1996) that the NPA won all 27 positions of the three civic boards of government.Sean in British Columbiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15939094051131954210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-51699686889423894192011-11-23T12:06:30.746-08:002011-11-23T12:06:30.746-08:00Gordon, I'm not so foolish as to suggest that ...Gordon, I'm not so foolish as to suggest that people win just because their name starts with ABC. However, I do believe, as does Barry Link in today's Courier, that all things being equal, those whose names are at the top have an advantage.<br /><br />In a different, but similar vein, Malcolm Gladwell points out in Outliers that one's success as a hockey player is often influenced by which month you are born in. Those born in January or February have an advantage over those born in the fall. If you want to know why, read the book!<br /><br />I am sure someone has done research on this issue. If anyone knows, please let me know.<br /><br />The other issue that needs to be discussed is whether Vancouver would benefit from WARDS, or a combination of Wards and at-large candidates. But that's a story for another dayMichael Gellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314216534720079965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-79403723785459517262011-11-22T19:30:14.144-08:002011-11-22T19:30:14.144-08:00While I appreciate your point on slate voting, I t...While I appreciate your point on slate voting, I think Affleck, Ball and Carr should give thanks that Vision did not run a full slate. Otherwise . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-28965908481687655022011-11-22T17:32:36.057-08:002011-11-22T17:32:36.057-08:00Hey Elizabeth, I was not mystified at all by your ...Hey Elizabeth, I was not mystified at all by your victory! As I wrote in a previous posting:<br /><br />"There are a number of other strong and qualified NPA candidates. I don't know George Affleck but he has an extensive background in communications and media. Elizabeth Ball has served on Council in the past and is committed to furthering the arts in Vancouver. I'm told she's going to win again!"<br /><br />I hope that's helpful.<br /><br />That being said, as a result of work I did with Metro on how people vote on different issues, and the statistical analysis of others on success rates of candidates with different names, I would still argue that a ballot that allows every candidate to have his or her name on top an equal number of times is more equitable. If anyone disagrees, please let me know!<br /><br />ps The first thing Joost Bakker, Chair of the NPA nominating committee said to me in 2008 after asking me if I'd consider running was "Your name starts with 'G'. It's not great, but not terrible!Michael Gellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314216534720079965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-30592661576917244332011-11-21T23:48:09.718-08:002011-11-21T23:48:09.718-08:00You seem to be mystified as to my winning a second...You seem to be mystified as to my winning a second election.<br />It is a real mistake to underestimate the power of decades of community service.<br />It is also a mistake to underestimate the power of those who value arts and culture.<br />For over three decades I connected with thousands of children and parents. Day after day, night after night I personally welcomed audience members to the theatre, taught classes and volunteered to better the lives of artists, children and seniors in the community. I produced hundreds of free Shakespeare performances. All those children grew up and remember the wonder they experienced in the theatre and the self-confidence they developed in drama classes. They know how important art and culture is and how deeply it has influenced their world-view. The many boards and city committees I served on over decades were confident in my hard work and creative solutions. The hundreds of artists I worked with know my dedication to creating work for artists.<br />My three years on Council were marked by unanimous support for my motions that resulted in many millions of dollars of job creation. I was able to do this in an effective way working with staff and council. I credit the voters who recognize my contributions.<br />There are many A’s and B’s over the years who haven’t been elected but Taylor, Owen, Kennedy, BC Lee, Don Lee, Ladner, Ford, Puil, Price, Sullivan, Wilking, Rankin, Harcourt, Yorke and dozens of others with non AB names have been frequently elected and reelected. <br /><br />Sean Bickerton is a wonderful candidate. Recently he returned to Vancouver after many years away. I have no doubt that his continued community service will ensure that one day he will serve on Council. It won’t be the B in his name that gets him there.Elizabeth Ballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-79828710573435790812011-11-21T16:36:18.742-08:002011-11-21T16:36:18.742-08:00I have to agree with George.
This was Elizabeth&#...I have to agree with George.<br /><br />This was Elizabeth's 4th time running for council. She first ran in 1990 with Gordon Campbell (I think she came 14th). She has a lot on name recognition due her many political campaigns and her work in the arts community. Her neighborhood also had extremely high VoterID for the NPA.<br /><br />I would also reiterate the fact that her and George were committed to the central campaign 100 per cent. They didn't stake out any policies that opposed Suzanne's and they didn't participate in those ill advised flyers that were sent out without Anton's name on it.<br /><br />Basically, George and Elizabeth treated the NPA like a politcal party instead of a political association.<br /><br />If the alphabet was really important, we'd have Councilor Aquino being sworn in on the 5th.Gordon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12288453903644052036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-72301443257365788392011-11-21T16:12:16.795-08:002011-11-21T16:12:16.795-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Gordon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12288453903644052036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-10181241069524970792011-11-21T15:51:01.176-08:002011-11-21T15:51:01.176-08:00George, thanks for taking the time to comment. I m...George, thanks for taking the time to comment. I must say that since posting my post mortem, a number of people have suggested that your success was indeed attributable to much more than being an A, as was Elizabeth's being a B, or Adriane's being a C. <br /><br />(That being said, should I ever run again, I'm running under my mother's maiden name.....Abbott!)<br /><br />There is no doubt that getting out and participating in a campaign is one of the best ways to win. But you do need more as evidenced by the hard work by other candidates in a losing cause. <br /><br />I am very much looking forward to watching how this Council operates, and hope it will be more collaborative than in the past. I hope you enjoy the next three years.Michael Gellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314216534720079965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-57776780518630355012011-11-21T14:13:04.861-08:002011-11-21T14:13:04.861-08:00Hi Michael
Thanks for your thoughtful comments on...Hi Michael<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughtful comments on the election. While alphabetical listing is a help, reporters might want to look closely at the voter turn out by poll. You will see I did well in the neighbourhoods where my kids go to school (False Creek), where I live (Yaletown) and where I spend a lot of time (West End/Coal Harbour). My connections via the Car Coop, the Comedy Fest, the Children's Festival and PAC also helped. Elizabeth and I not only have letters high in the alphabet in common, but I believe our campaigns were very similar. We were committed to the central campaign 100 per cent and we spent money and time reaching out to our specific constituents and got them to vote for us -- even if they did not support the NPA. I also represented the NPA at many debates and all candidates meetings where I was not the most popular candidate on the panel, but feel I won a lot of people over because of my background experience and my reasoned opinions on the subjects discussed. <br />As an elected official, my main goal will be to do what is best for Vancouver. I am honoured to be a representative on council. My wealth of experience on boards and running a business I think has prepared me well. <br />Time to get to work.<br />Georgegeorge affleckhttp://georgeaffleck.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-27378467409728663802011-11-21T12:09:03.889-08:002011-11-21T12:09:03.889-08:00Jesse, I only met George Affleck very late in the ...Jesse, I only met George Affleck very late in the campaigne, and am not familiar with his background. He's certainly a very affable person and will likely do well on Council.<br /><br />I certainly agree wrt Ball, who has made many contributions to the arts, and previously served on Council giving her name recognition. But then some suggest she won the first time since she was part of an ABC... Anton, Ball Capri!<br /><br />What does confuse me is why Bickerton didn't win. He was a B who ran on an arts and culture platform, and many other things. It may be his anti-casino campaign cost him votes...I just don't know.Michael Gellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314216534720079965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-14678572728089135122011-11-21T11:53:57.311-08:002011-11-21T11:53:57.311-08:00Michael, thanks for good comments here. I do think...Michael, thanks for good comments here. I do think that Ball and Affleck, running with arts backgrounds, did better in part due to this.jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155122147972263497noreply@blogger.com