To the editor:
Re: "Letter of the week," Nov. 25.
Tim Louis does not begin to deserve all the blame and maligning that he is responsible for COPE's near extinction in the Nov. 19 civic election. The deal that COPE made with Vision to run a coordinated campaign engineered COPE's downfall.
Both Cadman and Woodsworth were in full agreement, right after Larry Campbell, still with COPE as mayor, formed his own party, Vision Vancouver, because he wanted complete control of council, with no opinions expressed except his own.
David Cadman was repeatedly urged by COPE executive and members to run as Mayor in 2008, but he flatly rejected this opportunity, and he and Woodsworth, in an unprecedented manoeuvre, approved that the nomination rules be changed to completely cut Tim Louis out of running. It was a very cruel and disloyal action against Mr. Louis who was trying his best to save COPE as a visible party. Cadman and Woodsworth engineered their own political demise by trying to eliminate such a strong and staunch COPE activist and supporter. They didn't want any dissenting views lest Vision be displeased.
Tim has always had my full admiration and respect for his personal and political integrity. Tim and his partner Penny Perry have worked tirelessly, openly and behind the scenes to preserve all that COPE stands for. I say, shame on you, David Cadman and you, Ellen Woodsworth, for being such poor losers, and trying to blame Tim for the failure you brought on not only yourselves, but also COPE.
Barbara Templeman, Vancouver
