HouseGate: The logical mind asks - Is freedom of the press under attack from the Vancouver Mayor's Office?

Last Friday Frances Bula said:

Okay, this is Friday fluff, but whatever. I feel I must contribute to the ongoing deep investigations into Mayor Gregor Robertson’s change of abode... No one seems to see Robertson’s move, from a single-family house near Emily Carr elementary in central Vancouver to a smaller place in Kits near the beach, as symbolic of the prototypical Vancouver downsizing. Instead, it seems to have turned into massive theory-building about how it has something to do with the Point Grey bike lane. Or his federal-election ambitions. Or something.

This seemingly vacuous controversy spawned from our original post which simply made note of the fact that the Mayor's home was on the market.

It's important to note that in that post we only mused on whether our not his worship was cashing out of our City's massive housing bubble.

So how did this morph into a political controversy?

It was the Mayor's office who transformed this story into something to do with the Point Grey bike lane.  They responded the next morning with this press statement that directly tied the issue of the Mayor moving to the Point Grey bike lane:

  

Our post was made on Tuesday night.  The next morning, with lightening speed, the Mayor's office issues a press release confirming that the house was for sale and that the Mayor had already purchased a new house.

The Mayor's office then specifically linked the new purchase to the Point Grey/Cornwall bike corridor. So serious was this tie-in that the press statement came complete with a legal opinion from the City Solicitor and an admission that this announcement had been weeks in the making.

Then came the next domino.  The press release stated:

They recently purchased a new home in Kitsilano within a block of York Street. For security reasons we don’t disclose the specific location.

Security reasons? Naturally a media frenzy erupted trying to root out these reasons. Within hours Business in Vancouver newspaper was out with breaking news via this tweet:

BIV released a story which profiled the exact location of the Mayor's new house.

It was news because the location revealed that the Bike lane controversy was even greater than originally reported.  He wasn't moving "somewhere in Kits a block away from York Street." The Mayor was moving right next to the most contentious area of the Point Grey/Cornwall route - Point Grey Road - and it appears this info was known in advance of the public opeen house.

This was huge news.

News which the Mayor's office not only created, but compounded by waiting to reveal it.

Why had they waited to acknowledge what they themselves had deemed would be a potential conflict of interest weeks earlier?

Was this news held back so it wouldn't come out during the public information open houses meetings on the Point Grey/Cornwall Bike route proposal?

Was the news only acknowledged in response to our blog post because the Mayor's office hoped they would never have to actually acknowledge the moveuntil long after the fact?

The exact location of the Mayor's new residence has been transformed into an important component of the conflict-of-interest debate specifically because the Mayor's office was not forthcoming with the  news until they were forced to reveal it.

As such, the newsworthiness of the precise location of his new residence was deemed important enough by the media to outweigh any individual privacy concerns.

Thus BIV ran their story.

But then a curious thing happened to that BIV piece (hilighing a phenomenona that could never happen in the era of print of journalism).  

Did anyone notice?

On July 11th the online version of BIV's story was suddenly and quietly redacted.  All reference to the specific location of the Mayor's new residence eliminated.  Even reference to the general location was removed. 

Why redact the general location at the nexus of York/Stephens/Point Grey Road?  That's the heart of the whole story!

Was BIV pressured into censoring these details? Or did they remove that info of their own accord?

Curiously, despite the apparent censorship by BIV, the author of the article - Bob Mackin - published all pertinent details on his own blog: (see this screen shot taken on July 11th - we've blacked out the specific address)

This seems to indicate the censorship did not occur internally at BIV, at least due to any legal concerns.

If there had been legal concerns, presumably Mackin would have been advised of them and he wouldn't have posted those details on his own blog just as his own paper was censoring them.  

But then there's another twist, Mackin's article was updated July 15th and the specific details of the Mayor's residence removed:

So what gives? Several serious questions are raised here.  

The reasonable man/woman logically wonders what triggered BIV into censoring their original story.  It's also logical to wonder if the Mayor's office played any role.  

Before the move to Kits was even even announced by the Mayor's office (MO), the MO were citing 'security concerns.'  What security concerns?  There couldn't have been any documented issues prior to the press release because the news hadn't even been announced yet.

Was our Mayor was already receiving threats at his old residence at 912 West 23rd Avenue?

As we noted in our original post, the Mayor's home address is a matter of public record, available in online documents available from city hall. If there have been prior threats, why haven't we been told?  There is no place in our society for threats against our elected officials.  Whatever your position regarding our civic political debates, the idea that our Mayor may be at risk is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. If there have been prior documented threats, was Chief of Police Chu notified? And what has he done to address them?

But there doesn't appear to be any record of prior threats, just concerns about what 'might be'.

And why wasn't just the specific address removed?  Why were all references to the general area of York/Stephens/Point Grey Road also pulled?

Various sources have suggested it might be extremely enlightening for the media to ask two specific questions:

• Why did BIV pull their story, and 
• Did the Mayor's office pressure a Vancouver news outlet to censor their reporting?

Anyone care to enquire with these two entities directly for the answers?

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Vancouver Mayor responds to yesterday's post - Updated: media speculating on Mayor's new home.

See end of post for update on media speculation about Mayor's new digs.

Seems our post yesterday about Gregor Robertson, the Mayor of Vancouver, putting his home up for sale created a bit of a stir. Several newspapers have picked up on the story this afternoon including the Province and MetroNews. From the Georgia Straight newspaper:

Mayor Gregor Robertson's office has issued a statement after a local blogger revealed that his home was for sale.

In a post entitled “Guess who’s trying to cash out of the real estate market in Vancouver?”, the Whispers from the Village on the Edge of the Rainforest website provided the listing information for the mayor’s six-bedroom and four-bathroom residence at 912 West 23rd Avenue.

It’s being advertised for $1.95 million.

“So it begs the question, if even the Mayor of Vancouver is bailing on the Vancouver real estate market, has the slide begun in earnest?” the blog cheekily declared.

Responding to media inquiries, the mayor’s office released a statement saying the family has moved farther west, to Kitsilano.

“The mayor’s family is selling their home and downsizing now that their kids have graduated high school,” reads the statement. They’ve bought a new home within a block of York Avenue in Kitsilano, but the location isn’t being disclosed for “security reasons.”

Apparently the revelation of the sale has triggered a whole series of political questions. According to the press statement:

“In recent weeks the Mayor apprised senior staff, including the City Solicitor, of this property transaction and they were requested to provide advice and a legal opinion on any possible conflict that the Mayor might be in with regard to future decisions of Council related to the Point Grey/Cornwall bike corridor. The City Solicitor has informed the Mayor that there is no legal conflict with voting on matters related to the Point Grey Cornwall bike and pedestrian safety upgrades at this time.”

The Georgia Straight wonders if the move is part of a broader set of political intrigue:

What's intriguing about the move is that Robertson now lives much farther away from his workplace at Vancouver City Hall.

Normally, cyclists like to live closer to the office.

Perhaps this suggests there could be federal political implications for Robertson, who is sometimes viewed as a future candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada.

His old residence is in the proposed new riding of Vancouver-Granville, which is being carved out of parts of other ridings in the city. There is no MP for this riding yet.

His new home is likely in Vancouver Quadra, which is represented by Liberal MP Joyce Murray. That's because most of York Avenue is west of Arbutus Street, which is the boundary for the riding. East of Arbutus is within Hedy Fry's riding of Vancouver Centre.

Murray ran against Justin Trudeau in this year’s federal Liberal leadership race.

Whoever becomes the Liberal candidate in Vancouver Quadra is likely a shoo-in to get elected to Parliament.

Could Robertson be planning a challenge against Murray for the Liberal nomination after he wins a third term as mayor in 2014? Stay tuned.

Oh my.  Did we start something?

So what do you think.  Is it simple downsizing? Capitalizing on bubble profits? Or a move borne of broader political considerations?

Update

The media seems to be all abuzz with the Mayor's new home.  And with the Mayor's press release declining to release the location of his new home for 'security reasons', the frenzy has only intensified.

Let's face it... the Mayor's address is public knowledge on nomination forms, why the secrecy now? Is it because of the bike lane proposal along York in Kitsilano... just steps away from the Mayor's new digs?

This just in on twitter:

BIV is reporting that the new digs are (XXXX - address removed) on Stephens Street:

From the realtor description:

Show-stopping ocean and mountain views abound from this outstanding, beautifully designed and renovated ½ duplex tucked away on a quiet street in Kitsilano within ½ block of the beach. The home of an award winning interior designer that has graced the pages of many prestigious design publications, this property has just hit the news stands in the special interest Canadian House and Home 2008 ‘Makeover Issue". The unique multi-level flooplan offers 2 bedrooms, 2½ baths, den, office and 3 large ocean view decks. Every detail was masterfully considered in the extensive renovation. Gorgeous quality finishes include kitchen with professional grade stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, new bathrooms with limestone, porcelain and mosaic tiles, steam shower and heated floors, built-in speaker system, 42” TV with B/I surround sound, built-in storage, and gorgeous designer lighting and fixtures. Fabulous outdoor living spaces include 3 gorgeous view decks (one with gas BBQ hook-up and over-head mounted gas heater) and the privately set Italian style garden with a covered spa hot tub area. This home has ample heated storage with B/I wine storage and a single car attached garage. A stunning home and an absolute must see!

(google streets image of house removed)

We're sure the neighbours are thrilled. You can read BIV's story here.

Follow up post: July 11, 2013 - Housegate: When did the Mayor buy and when did he know he would buy there?

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Guess who's trying to cash out of the real estate market in Vancouver? - Updated

This 6 bedroom, 4 bathroom 2,922 square foot home sits at 912 W. 23rd Avenue in Vancouver. It just came on the market with an asking price of $1,950,000.  

Here is how the listing describes the house:

Wonderful Douglas Park. Converted big character family house w/5 bedrms up + lovely 1 bdm suite down situated on 2 legal lots. Built circa 1912, this beautiful mechanically updated Craftsman home retains its original charm with refinished fir floors, stained glass, casement windows, parlor pocket doors, deep baseboards & spacious principle rms. Very bright open plan with windows abound & an amazing light filled top floor master bedrm + ensuite. New electrical and plumbing(2005), new roof (2002/7), kitchen & bathrms(2005). Enjoy the lush perennial country garden from the south deck protected by established hedges & trees. Walk to schools, shops, parks and transit/Canada Line. Open Sunday/July 14, 2-4pm or call to view by appointment.

One of the interesting features is the kitchen.  The current owner once described the look as "city farmhouse."

For those who follow such things, the kitchen is familiar. Didn't we see it a couple of years back in an article over on the blog, The City Caucus?

The article was titled "Why does a corporation own Mayor Gregor's Vancouver home?" We can't speak to that particular issue, but damn that kitchen does look awfully similar, doesn't it?

Now... lest you think we base our revelation solely on the similarity in that photo alone, there's always this:

Clearly Gregor has decided to fold his R/E hand and cash in on his bubble inflated asset.

So it begs the question, if even the Mayor of Vancouver is bailing on the Vancouver real estate market, has the slide begun in earnest?

Especially since this move comes a mere six months after  it was revealed Robertson had divested himself of the company he co-founded, Happy Planet.

First Robertson sells his Vancouver based business, now he's trying to dump his overvalued - and overpriced - home (one faithful reader advises it's assessed at $1.6 mil). Is Gregor reading the city's economic tea leaves and pulling stakes before it's too late?  Sure looks like it.

Maybe it's time for his opponents to update that infamous video they released for the last election?

(hat tip: Duplicity)

For follow up post see June 10, 2013: Vancouver Mayor responds to yesterday's post - Updated: media speculating on Mayor's new home.

And, July 11, 2013 - Housegate: When did the Mayor buy and when did he know he would buy there?


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Mayor Moonbeam

For those who don't live in British Columbia, the cities and municipalities of our fair Province will be heading to the polls this coming Saturday for civic elections.

And while this blog doesn't support any party or individual, we had to chuckle at this creative youtube vid about the current Vancouver civic election issues and it's Mayor, Gregor Robertson (who has been dubbed 'Mayor Moonbeam' for many of his policies).

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