Was Vancouver's Absent Director Of Finance The Millenium Whistler Blower?

AllTheSecrecyThatFits
OlympicVillageVille

Well, if she wasn't before, it looks like Gregor Robertson want's her to be so in the future.

As in next week.

It's all there in Mr. Robertson's open letter to his chief rival in Vancouver's mayoral race, Mr. Peter Ladner:

Friday, November 7, 2008
Open letter to Peter Ladner From Gregor Robertson

Dear Councillor Ladner,

When the campaign for mayor began, you and I both promised an open debate about ideas in the best interest of the people of Vancouver. In these tough financial times, and with serious issues like homelessness, affordable housing and crime facing our City, there must be an end to the secrecy that continues to surround the $100 million loan of taxpayer dollars to a private firm, the Millennium Development, to complete the Olympic Village project. This comes on the heels of a loan guarantee to Fortress Investments, a Millenium investor.

The overwhelming perception that important financial information is being covered up erodes public confidence and raises many questions. This must change and efforts to restore confidence must be made swiftly.

It is essential for Vancouver taxpayers that you immediately answer five key questions as a start:

1. Will you support Vision Vancouver’s proposal for an emergency, open council meeting next week to have a full public report on the financial situation?
2. Will you agree to invite Estelle Lo, the Director of Finance, to this meeting to provide her analysis on the financial implications for the City of Vancouver without prejudice to her position?
3. When did you learn that Estelle Lo, the Director of Finance, reportedly had serious concerns about a loan to Millennium Development and when were you intending to report those concerns to the public?
4. As Chair of Vancouver’s Finance and Budget Committee will you agree to an open and transparent process to look at the City’s financial security with regards to the Millennium Development project?
5. And lastly, will you support Vision Vancouver’s proposal that an independent auditor, with the confidence of all councillors, conduct a proper review of the financial situation and provide independent recommendations on a sound financial way forward for the City?

The citizens of Vancouver should expect no less than full and open disclosure of how every one of their tax dollars are spent - let alone $100 million of them. I look forward to your prompt reply to this letter.

Sincerely,

Gregor Robertson

And don't forget, during these the last days of the doomed administration of Smilin' Sammy Sullivan, councillor Ladner is also serving as the chair of the City of Vancouver's 'Finance Committee'.

Looks like somebody has a whole lot of 'xplainin' to do.

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This morning CKNW was reporting that the absent Director of Finance is not actually in Lotusland, but instead is overseas in Hong Kong....

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