Vision Commissioner Now Focused on Provincial Politics Instead of Job She Was Elected For
Posted: Jun 4, 2012
Vancouver, BC - In light of the announcement by Vision Vancouver park board commissioner Constance Barnes that she will be focusing on provincial > politics by seeking the BC NDP nomination in Vancouver-False Creek, NPA Park Commissioner Melissa De Genova has issued the following statement on behalf of her caucus:
As a park commissioner who was only sworn in six months ago I am deeply disappointed that one of our fellow commissioners has decided to put her political career ambitions ahead of her work at the Vancouver Park Board. For months Constance Barnes has been hinting at a move into provincial politics, so I am not at all surprised at today's announcement. However, Ms. Barnes has stated that she feels she can carry on as a commissioner and be a candidate for provincial politics. I disagree.
I consider being a Vancouver Park Board commissioner as a tremendous privilege. It's an important responsibility to be a steward of Vancouver's wonderful parks. Running for elected office should require you to make the best effort to serve your entire term in office. A seat on the Vancouver Park Board should not simply be a stepping stone for seeking higher office. It is clear Ms. Barnes has had a desire to run provincially for some time, and she should have made that decision before she decided to add her name to Vision's 2011 park board slate.
Just as her leader Gregor Robertson did in 2008, Constance Barnes will have no choice but to resign her seat as Park Commissioner once she becomes the BC NDP candidate in Vancouver-False Creek. This will trigger a costly by-election that will be on the backs of taxpayers, and use funds that otherwise should be spent on our parks, not on Constance Barnes' career ambitions.