"And this sign represents some of my best work!"BASI-VIRK
Defence alleges Premier Campbell a "micromanager" - Chief of Staff Martyn Brown calls his actions "an appropriate response"
By Bill Tieleman, 24 hours columnist
Is Premier Gordon Campbell a “micromanager” who gets so involved in the details of government decisions that he had to sign off his approval on the design and colour of B.C. highway signs?
That was the unusual allegation Monday at the trial of three former B.C. Liberal government aides facing corruption charges connected to the $1 billion sale of B.C. Rail in 2003.
Kevin McCullough, representing ex-aide Bob Virk, was questioning Martyn Brown – Campbell’s chief of staff.
“Are you aware that Mr. Campbell approved each highway sign?” McCullough asked.
“I don’t recall…but I would hazard a guess he would see them and approve them,” Brown replied. “We obviously wouldn’t want a sign that the premier found objectionable,”
McCullough: “I’m going to suggest that Premier Campbell is a micromanager.”
Brown: “Some media have commented on that ….I don’t know that it’s micromanaging – that’s an appropriate response for a person in his position.”
At other points in Brown's cross examination he had repeated difficulty remembering meetings and conversations McCullough wanted to question him on.
For example:
McCullough: "Do you recall a draft of the Roberts Bank RFP [Request For Proposals] being placed on a government website?"
Brown: "No."
McCullough: "The Roberts Bank draft RFP - was it put on a website, then they realized it was a draft, took it down and the real RFP was put up?"
Brown: "No, I don't recall. Sometimes the wrong information is posted on government websites."
McCullough also got into Brown's media monitoring habits, asking if it was important to him when Province newspaper columnist Michael Smyth was criticizing the government.
Brown: "I think he criticizes more often than not."
McCullough: "Were you aware that Mr. Smyth also had a nightly radio show on CKNW?"
Brown: "I'm not sure exaclty when it was on - Nightline - but I was aware of it. I didn't follow that at all. There were times someone told me what he said. I did not follow his radio show closely."
Just before the lunch break Brown summed up the challeges he faces with McCullough's detailed cross examination.
Brown: "You're asking me about conversations and comms that I had mostly six or seven years ago - some of many, many, many, many conversations."
Brown is expected to continue his testimony Tuesday.
18 comments:
Interesting. More to do with an alleged approval from Campbell regarding those ugly lookinh Best Place on Earth travel signs.
Many of the signs you see are designed to technical specifications and are based on designs that existed before Campbell did as Premier. There's a few specialised signs, but Campbell would be wasting time approving those (as he has on a lot of things).
WOnder if any specific examples would be brought forward?
There's literally hundreds of different signs that are used and to have Campbell approve each new one would slow down replacement and installation considerably.
I just have one observation that I am sure many others have as well...does this Brown dude recall anything at all ? Sounds like he has the worst memory of any person in BC history. I assume when he was asked his name at the beginning of his testimony he was able to recall that.
During the period in question, Mike Smythe defended the government more often than he criticized it. Mr. Brown clearly has a selective memory.
Another demonstration here:
http://tinyurl.com/www-hiccup1-com
Great coverage, again, Bill.
That's not a highway sign, it's a placard showing a highway project.
Similar to other ones that are used in Big Media announcements which are nothing new, be it BC Liberal or NDP or Social Credit or NDP or Social Credit.
Those are made for a media event.
They're not used on highways.
So Brown would be correct if Campbell approved those placard presentation signs, particularly if it was him that was part of a big announcement.
Those are throw aways, use them once and recycle them.
I love the photo caption!
Now if only the government and the PAB under the control of Martyn Brown hadn't shredded every email they wrote. If they still had them, he could easily refresh his memory
Almost all (95% or so) of the emails were recovered. Perhaps they should be or will be used to refresh his swiss cheese slab of grey matter.
ARE WE NOT TO BLAME . . .
For how long have I compared Gordon Campbell to personality obsessed desposts like Augusto Pinochet and Kim Il Jong?
Certainly he is not a killer, but at his core he is a damaged human being seeking constant relief from his many demons, and not just from his assocaites but every citizen in BC.
My issue is . . . why are we electing such counter-productive individuals to lead us?!?!
What does that say of us that our leaders are so flawed and potentially so dangerous?
Rather than sitting in the Premier's Office in Victoria, Gordon Campbell should be under care at the Eric Martin Pavillion at Victoria's Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Why is the Press not reporting this?
Obviously they have known for years about this behavior along with his other yet to be reported on flaws!
If outsiders like "us" have known of this man's limitations for so many years.
Why has BC's main-celeb media not reported on it, we know they do know?!
The GREAT SATAN
One of the jobs of the Public Affairs Bureau is to review and summarize the highlights of all media concerning the provincial government. I'm sure those summaries land on Brown's desk whenever they are produced. He doesn't have to watch, listen or read media himself. He gets briefed on the highlights and lowlights.
The memories of witnesses have failed and thus they will avoid perjury charges. But given the way the Special Prosecutor has handled the case thus far, he will not bring any investigation to light. He will simply allow the Campbell government to continue down their path.
Looks like whoever this "Great Satan" character is, he needs some help. He's getting paranoid, and also doesn't figure that there was a low turn out in last year's provincial election.
If more people such as him came out and actually helped us win a few more seats then the NDP would be government and Carol would have been Premier.
His description of Campbell being equal to Kim Il Jong is wearing out fast. If he wants to see how Kim runs his country, Satan should go there on a day trip.
and have him tell us about it later.
That is assuming he can cross into North Korea without getting shot.
TO: ANON 3:45PM
I have been active in Canadian politics (and media) as a volunteer and as a paid party operative since 1968. (42 years)
What year were you born?
I have seen more, heard more and witnessed more than individuals like you will experience in five life-times.
For example, ask me or someone in the know about Mayor Gordon Campbell and his official City of Vancouver Driver?
If you knew the answer you would have not posted your original naive comment regarding my first statement.
"Children should been seen and not heard"
The GREAT SATAN
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/jun/08/bilderberg-spain-delegates?picture=363444883
"I have been active in Canadian politics (and media) as a volunteer and as a paid party operative since 1968. (42 years)"
Glad to see the NDP keeps their senior members around. Should be busy recruiting some of the dot commentators here as active volunteers. Good way to get the frustrations out by volunteering and expending energy.
Bill here can assist with volunteer placements within the NDP. We need quite a few of them in several ridings to help with our volunteer efforts.
"I have seen more, heard more and witnessed more than individuals like you will experience in five life-times."
Perhaps, but stil doesn't reconcile your references using Kim Il.
"For example, ask me or someone in the know about Mayor Gordon Campbell and his official City of Vancouver Driver?"
Who would want to?
"If you knew the answer you would have not posted your original naive comment regarding my first statement."
If you had actually studied places such as Chile under Pinochet and North Korea under Kim, you wouldn't have not posted naive comments.
"Children should been seen and not heard"
Guess we just heard one give a quote while he was kicking and throwing a tantrum as per usual.
TO ANON 7:04PM
I was NEVER a Tory or NDPer so save that phoney PAB stuff for some hot young BC Lib looking for fast answers and a good time.
I have never been a Provincial Liberal!
Also I didn't B.J. for Martin or Dion either.
And best of all, I actually knew Trudeau did you?
Or is that some wet dream Mark Marissen and Christy Clark taught you?
As I said before . . . "CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD", so put a sock in it sunshine and go tell Kevin Falcon he wants you.
Most respectfully,
The GREAT SATAN
"I was NEVER a Tory or NDPer so save that phoney PAB stuff for some hot young BC Lib looking for fast answers and a good time."
So make for a goof time with the hot young federal Liberal, then.
"I have never been a Provincial Liberal!"
Never said you were.
And best of all, I actually knew Trudeau did you?
Yeh knew him. As one of the worst Prime Ministers Canada ever had. His trademark arrogance, his great economic vision through Six and Five and the National Energy Program.
"Or is that some wet dream Mark Marissen and Christy Clark taught you?"
You were taught wet dreams from Christy Clark and Mark Marissen?? Must be pathetic.
Must be hard to be a Retired Old Fart Liberal (ROFL!)
"As I said before . . . "CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD", so put a sock in it sunshine and go tell Kevin Falcon he wants you."
Well go to Kevin yourself and tell him to stuff his health care policies where the sun don't shine.
His riding office address is in the phone book if you know how to use one.
Most respectfully,
The GREAT SATAN
The so called Great Satan.
A B.C. version of devilled ham.
Available at a blog near you.
Putting an end to this waste time and blogspace . . .
Bleed, BC Liberal PAB Hot Dog Eater and Fuddle Duddle Yourself!
Sorry bud, I am not anywhere connected with PAB. Just a citizen who has had an interest in politics and the people within.
My occupation is in logistics management and operations, not politics.
Try not to be so serious when it comes to contributing to political blogs such as this one.
It's a hobby.
Settle back and relax. Read Chretien's book to get your mind off Gordon Campbell.
Post a Comment