Supporting Effective Leadership in School Board

As residents in the UBC/UEL portions of Electoral Area 'A' we are also able to vote for candiadtes to the Vancouver Board of Education. Being able to have a voice and an impact in the Vancouver Board of Education discussions is critically important for our community.

Over the past decade essentially uncontrolled development at UBC and in the UEL has increased the pressure on our two local schools -University Hill Elementary and University Hill Secondary. Both schools are seriously over capacity and many of our more than 1500 school aged children are forced to find school placements outside of our community. This has to stop.

For close to a decade rebuilding and expanding school facilities have been held up in a "he siad, she said" tug-of-war. UBC administrators and officials in the planning department and UBC Properties Trust say they have plans to solve our school needs but that the School Board doesn't do anything. The VSB officials have said that they are willing to move forward but given the provincial government's rules and regulations they are stuck. And the provincial government? Well, they have remained mostly silent. Meanwhile the situation continues to worsen as new developments are opened across campus and in the UEL.

One thing that we need and that we can do something about is to make sure that we have a school board who will listen and who will care about our communities.

In this year's school board election I am supporting individuals, not political parties.

In this year’s election I will be supporting Patti Bacchus (Vision), Ken Clement (Vision), Carol Gibson (NPA), Alan Wong (COPE). I am voting for these people because of what they have done either for public education or for their particular communities. They come from different political parties but what they share is a real commitment to education and a demonstrated capacity to listen to our community. There are other candidates who stand out, but these four candidates have a track record of listening to and working with diverse groups of people. These people have demonstrated the capacity to listen. And, they have the courage of their convictions to act when action is called for.

Patti Bacchus has been a long time parent activist. While I was on the Vancouver District Parents Advisory Council executive I have seen Patti at work as a committed parent activist. She is just the type of person that we need on school board.

Ken Clement is a strong community -based activist who is committed to an inclusive education system.

Carol Gibson was one trustee who really stood up for our local schools during the last year. She is honest and forthright and deserves to be reelected.

Alan Wong is a current trustee. As a member of DPAC I have worked with Alan and know him to be a committed and honest person who will do what is best for our students.

On November 15th I will be voting for effecitve local leadership.
I will be voting for Bacchus, Clement, Gibson and Wong.

Governance and Local Issues in Electoral Area A

The structure of Electoral Area ‘A’ leads to an exclusion of the smaller portions of the area as issues from UBC and the UEL often takes precedence. This is one of the reasons that I believe the electoral Area should be divided into a more effective arrangement and that the Point Grey portions should move toward some form of municipal government wither as a combined area or, perhaps, as two separate municipal structures. There are a number of possible ways that could be done. But the key thing to me is that elected representatives should be based in the localities that they strive to represent. The differences in terms of issues facing the Point Grey portion from the Islands portion of the electoral area leads me to say that the Islands areas should have their own elected director. This would avoid UBC/UEL playing a disproportionate role in the local affairs of the areas outside of Point Grey.

It has also become clear that the internal politics of the City of Vancouver is playing a large role in this year's election. My position on this matter is consistent with my belief that local government should be filled with local representatives who have a long-term commitment to living and working within our communities. Local representatives for local level government should be a requirement, not an option.

The issues around development and the Agricultural Land Reserve loom large for Barnston Island residents. Over the past number of years the question of removal of lands for development has been an issue. I have a personal perspective on the general principals involved -i.e. I support the maintenance of green space, woodland areas and agricultural lands. However, I consider that these are decisions that need to be made in the local setting by the people most directly affected by them. If elected I will work with communities to achieve a resolution of such issues; resolutions that are accurate and honest expression of the full community; not a reflection of any external political agenda.

At UBC the issue of the UBC Farm is taking much space in local discussions. This is a similar issue to the question of lands in Barnston Island. As a long term resident at UBC I am directly involved in my community. As such I feel that I have a right and an obligation to take a perspective on this local issue. In terms of the UBC Farm I have proposed that it be set aside from UBC's current planning process and that the main questions of the UBC Plan be dealt with.

I bring to the position of Metro Vancouver Director for Electoral Area ‘A’ a diversity of community endorsement from people across the political spectrum. Endorsers are community members and leaders directly involved in our communities. I am endorsed because I work hard in my community to find solutions that work in the real world; solutions that respect the diversity of our communities.

On November 15, 2008 Vote Menzies for Effective Local Leadership.

A Diversity of Support for Charles

Support for Charles’ election as Director reflects his long-term commitment to building a livable community in the UEL/UBC area. Charles has won the regard and support of people from across diverse political backgrounds because he works hard at making democracy real in practice.

On the schools committee of the UNA Charles worked to ensure that all parents voices could be heard. Working with a community-based team of volunteers the schools committee reached out across language and cultural barriers to bring forward voices being silenced.

In 2001, before the UNA was in place, Charles worked with other new residents of the mid-campus (Hawthorn Place) to make certain that UBC Properties Trust and UBC took notice of our concerns. The Hawthorn Lane Residents’ Association (latter, Hawthorn Place Residents’ Association) brought these concerns forward in a collaborative and participatory manner. This experience has laid the foundation for a collaborative, but insistent, approach toward building and expanding the democratic reach of our local associations.

We need local representatives who have demonstrated that they can work with our community.
We need local representatives who are based in our community.
We need local representatives who are here for the long haul.

On November 15 vote Effective Local Leadership.
On November 15 elect Charles for Metro Vancouver Director.

Here’s a sample of what some community leaders are saying about Charles’ ability to work effectively for our community.

“Charles has worked tirelessly for our neighbourhood and has shown real knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges that we face as a young community. ” Sharon Wu and Tony Chau. Hawthorn Place residents

“Charles Menzies has a proven track record as a community leader who works tirelessly for positive change.” Patti Bacchus, Vision Vancouver candidate for trustee and parent advocate.

Charles “has the full welfare of our community at heart. He will be a strong leader who will represent our interests in the Board of Metro Vancouver and I strongly urge you to vote for him.” Prod Laquian Elected Member, UNA Board of Directors

Charles "cares passionately about his community and its schools. He is always thoughtful and reflective about the many issues that arise and is diligent in ensuring that there is a solid, factual foundation for the points of view that he expresses. I would expect him to work hard and effectively in the role of Metro Vancouver Director and wish him every success in seeking election." Eleanor Gregory, VSB Trustee

Charles “is devoted to the community, and an effective listener and consensus-builder.” Jonathan Vogt, Former Chair UHS Parents Advisory Council.

Charles “is respectful of the diversity within the community and is aware of the needs of the academic enterprise as well as the community service needs in this rapidly developing community.” Carol Gibson, Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Vancouver School Board.

“We could not ask for a better neighbour. I know he [Charles] will represent us well on the Metro Vancouver Board.” Jim Taylor, Former Chair, UNA Board.