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Loyalty to Vision remained in Grandview-Woodland

It is widely known that Grandview-Woodland has historically been a Vision Vancouver stronghold. Tonight, a few local residents are breathing a sigh of relief the NPA will not dominate city council.
gregor
Mayor Gregor Robertson's reelection was not a surprise to many Grandview-Woodland residents, though support for his party was weakened when Vision unveiled a redevelopment plan known as the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan last year.

It is widely known that Grandview-Woodland has historically been a Vision Vancouver stronghold. Tonight, a few local residents are breathing a sigh of relief the NPA will not dominate city council.

As the electoral race grew tighter between two of the city’s most popular parties, Vision Vancouver and the NPA, news reports pointed to Grandview-Woodland as one of the key neighbourhoods that could have either made or broken a Vision majority on city council.

Vision’s stronghold in Grandview-Woodland, a neighbourhood home to some of the city’s socially minded and politically engaged residents, was weakened when Vision unveiled a redevelopment plan known as the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan last year. A public outcry ensued when the plan unveiled a  tower up to 36 storeys for the Safeway site at Broadway and Commercial Drive and highrises between 22 to 28 storeys in the surrounding area.

Marni McMullen, a local resident, voted mainly for Vision and COPE to keep the NPA from power. “I’ve almost always voted COPE, I’m in CUPE. Often, a lot of people vote COPE from CUPE, I’m involved in social services in most of what I do.”

Kirk LaPointe supporter and community activist Jak King was hoping for a change. He advocated for a non-majority council on his website and was believes LaPointe would strengthen relations with communities.  

“There’s a general mood that we need some change here. The fact that Gregor was finally pushed out by his handlers to make some sort of apology the other day, I think that it’s quite indicative. They recognize that they’re not doing well in the areas where they use to do well including here.”

Sarah FioRito, coordinator of community advocacy group Streets For Everyone, says despite the win “Vision still has to make some effort to make sure that the community feels heard. It seems like Vision Vancouver has heard a lot of that disenchantment and I imagine they’re going to move forward with the community.”