Vancouver community leader, advocate & politician
Board of Trade luncheon honours outgoing mayor
by JEFF HODSON/ METRO VANCOUVER
As meals went, the Board of Trade’s luncheon to honour outgoing Mayor Sam Sullivan was a bit starchy — all toast, no roast.
About 300 people, including Sullivan’s parents and his partner Lynn Zanatta, attended the early afternoon event at the Westin Bayshore in Coal Harbour yesterday.
By IRWIN LOY, 24 HOURS
Friends, colleagues and one-time adversaries raised a glass to departing Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan yesterday in a traditional “roast and toast” luncheon that quickly became a love-in.
Speakers at yesterday’s event largely left out the roasting from their speeches, instead heaping praise on the soon-to-be former mayor, who was turfed by his own political party earlier this year.
Outgoing Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan was held over the flames at a Vancouver Board of Trade roast in his honour today at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. Man In Motion’s Rick Hansen, (right) congratulates Mayor Sullivan.
Photograph by : Les Bazso
Outgoing Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan poked fun at himself at his own roast yesterday.
“On 12 election campaigns I won every one. I lost the 13th,” joked Sullivan at a soldout Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon for 200 at the Westin Bayshore.
In this edition
Join our celebrity roasters and toasters as they help us say “thank you” to Mayor Sam Sullivan for his 15 years on Vancouver City Council. This special Spirit of Vancouver® luncheon recognizes a unique life and Sam’s very special commitment to our community.
As an early advocate for individuals with disabilities, and as a city councillor, and more recently as mayor, Sam Sullivan’s perseverance in the face of often daunting challenges is a reminder to all of us that community service is an important part of our citizenship as individuals and businesses.
And while a skiing accident at the age of 19 made him a quadriplegic, “Citizen Sam” has never shied away from controversy, tough decisions or the rough and tumble of Vancouver politics, one of the city’s most colourful and entertaining contact sports.
Now, as he prepares to leave City Hall, join us for some memories and laughs as we hear from those who know Sam Sullivan best, including folks on both sides of the political fence.
Date: Monday, December 1, 2008 (event #090809)
Registration: 11:45 a.m. Lunch & Program: 12:15 – 2 p.m.
The Westin Bayshore Hotel – Grand Ballroom, 1601 Bayshore Drive
$56 members and guests/$81 future members + GST
Reserved tables of 8: $538 members/$842 future members + GST
Register at 604-641-1248 or www.boardoftrade.com
by Marelle Reid, The Voice/Langara College
Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan’s term has ended and will be replaced after the civic election on Nov. 15.
Sullivan initiated numerous social movements during his time in office, and said he is proud of the contributions he and his government have made to the city.
He believes one of the most important achievements the completion of 3,800 social housing units that were built during his term.
Many people will be sorry to see him go, including councillor Tim Stevenson, who feels that Sullivan should have been nominated once again.
By Carlito Pablo, Georgia Straight
Free, though not by choice, from the rigours of an election, outgoing Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan confesses that he misses the rough-and-tumble of the sport called politics.
“I was suited for it in a certain way, in that I am pretty well immune to criticism,” Sullivan told the Georgia Straight in an interview at a downtown café.
In between sips, the long-time civic politician also let on that he still meets some people on the street who tell him that they want “to get involved in my campaign, and I just have to tell them, ‘Actually, there won’t be a campaign for me.’ ”
Q & A: He hopes he’ll be remembered for starting conversations on EcoDensity and Project Civil City
Source: Vancouver Sun
After 15 years on council, three of them as mayor, Sam Sullivan is stepping aside from civic politics. The decision was made for him last summer when he lost the NPA nomination to re-offer for mayor but, as he told columnist Don Cayo in his first end-of-term interview, he’s not unhappy with it.
Sun: Tell me three regrets, and three triumphs from you term as mayor.
Sullivan: The strike. The strike is a considerable regret. I don’t like to implicate anybody. These are all my own weaknesses, my own shortcomings. But I chose to not have any role in it – to leave a lot of room for our staff….