Farewell To All That

The election is over. The people have spoken and now it is time for me to prepare my farewells. There is still one more meeting of this Board (October 27) and then the inaugural meeting of the next (November 7). Seven new Commissioners will be sworn in. I wish them good service and good luck, as I do to all the elected representatives at Council, School Board and Park Board.

There will be lots of time to reflect on and analyze the outcome, but for now, there are still a few loose ends to tie up and one or two more events to attend. 

For the record I have had:

30 years as a teacher

23 years as a parks and public space advocate

11 years as a Park Board Commissioner

7 years as a Public Library Trustee

3 years as Chair of the Park Board

2 years as a Governor of the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association

2 years working for the Honourable Jody Wilson Raybould MP

And countless years as a volunteer in my community

I am proud of my service. But I am especially proud of our work at the Park Board. From ending cetaceans in captivity to ensuring all children get a good start for a life-long passion in recreation, and fostering and working toward reconciliation with the first peoples of this land. We have embedded reconciliation, equity, and climate adaptation into every decision. Yes, I am proud of our achievements.

We had many challenges and successes over the past four years and we have hope for the next. It has been the greatest honour and privilege to serve as a Commissioner of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. I want to thank all the Commissioners present and past who have given so much to their community. We have not always agreed on how to get there, but we have all agreed that the Park Board is important, worthwhile, and relevant.

To our staff, I cannot thank you enough, for your dedication and passion. From the frontline to the General Manager, you all serve with passion and integrity, and you have my undying respect and thanks. To the incoming Commissioners, you have an awesome legacy to protect, but you have VanPlay to guide you.

I will move on to other things now, but these 11 years will stand out as some of the most rewarding of my life. Thank you for honouring me with your trust. I have always had what I thought was in the best interest of the Park Board and our community as my guide. Thank you for letting me serve.

Vancouver’s Komagata Maru memorial vandalized for second time

 Glass photograph at front of site smashed on or before Oct. 4

BLACK PRESS MEDIA STAFF Oct. 5, 2022

Vancouver's Komagata Maru memorial has been damaged for the second time in just over a year, and police say it appears to have been intentional once again.

Back in August 2021, the memorial was defaced with white paint and hand prints. This time, the glass photograph at the front of the site was smashed.

The Vancouver Police Department said it learned of the fresh vandalism on Tuesday (Oct. 4), and it’s since launched an investigation to determine who did it and why.

“We don’t just want to find the person who did this, but also understand why this cherished memorial was targeted,” Const. Jason Doucette said in a news release.

The memorial was installed in 2013 to pay tribute to the 376 passengers aboard the Komagata Maru steamship, which travelled from then-British India to Vancouver on May 23, 1914. The passengers were not allowed to disembark from the ship due to racist policies of the day when they arrived and, after two months on board with little food, water or medical attention, they were forced to turn back. There, 19 were shot and killed and many others were jailed as political agitators.

In response to the latest vandalism, Vancouver’s parks board chair called the act “despicable” and “cowardly.”

“…it shows enormous disrespect to those who travelled and suffered on the ship and to their families. It is shocking and heartbreaking that a community which has been historically marginalized has once again been subjected to a hateful act,” Stuart Mackinnon said in a statement.

Police are investigating whether the perpetrator could also be connected to a different act of vandalism in the area from three days prior, when the Olympic Cauldron was smashed.

The person believed to be behind the first defacement of the Komagata Maru memorial, Yuniar Kurniawan, was charged with mischief back in January.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 604-717-0613, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

original post here

Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon's statement on Komagata Maru memorial

I am saddened and angered to hear of the defacement of the Komagata Maru memorial. 

This is a despicable, cowardly act that must be called out. The perpetrators must be caught. There is no place for hate in our city.

This is not the first time this monument has been vandalized, and while the perpetrators’ motivation isn’t yet clear, it shows enormous disrespect to those who travelled and suffered on the ship and to their families. 

It is shocking and heartbreaking that a community which has been historically marginalized has once again been subjected to a hateful act. 

Everyone at the Park Board condemns in the strongest terms this abhorrent act of racism. We stand in solidarity with the South Asian community.

Stuart Mackinnon, Chair
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation