At the RPCA annual general meeting on October 15 nobody appeared willing to stand for nomination as president. So the matter was put to the board to select a president from within its ranks at the next board meeting. In the meantime one person, Brant Scott, came forward indicating he was willing to stand. The board voted to accept Brant as president. RPCA now has an official point of contact for communications with our city ward representative, Councillor Peter Hume.
The elephant in the room is conflict of interest resulting from accepting Brant Scott as president of RPCA. Susan Scott, Brant’s wife, is Councillor Peter Hume’s assistant at City Hall. This is unfortunate, particularly given some of the development, transportation and transit issues that are of concern in the Riverview Park community right now. It will be interesting to learn how Brant Scott and Councillor Peter Hume propose to avoid potential conflicts when these and other issues arise. For too long RPCA leadership has cooperated with their Ward representative and has failed to effectively reflect the concerns of the community.
Councillor Hume has stated that he will produce letters from RPCA, and other community associations in his ward, in support of the Hospital Lands Plan. Formal support by the board is premature. Individual members of RPCA have expressed opposition, the membership as a whole needs to be consulted. Not only must opinions of the entire membership be reflected in any letter but it should be noted that the RPCA does not and cannot reflect the majority view of Riverside Park.
It should be remembered that RPCA membership is small relative to the size of the Riverview Park community. RPCA has some fence mending, and dare I say “bridge building,” to do so its membership can grow to a level where it can effectively represent the community.
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Brant Scott will make a very good president for RPCA, if he can carefully manage the conflict of interest. Brad should keep in mind the interest of the community and not what conversation that may take place around the dinner table at home or elsewhere.
As a candidate running against Peter Hume in 2006, the hospital lands and AVT dominated our debates. At no time during the debate Peter said he would go for the northern part of the AVT corridor. I guess now things have changed and the plans will go ahead despite the communities’ wishes.
It is unfortunate that I can not get involved with the RPCA because I am a board member of another CA in Alta Vista. However I could perhaps attend a few meetings as an observer, if asked.
Keep up the great work Mr. Hine
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