To the editor:
Re: “Veteran COPE trustee joins Vision,” Dec. 11
I first met Allan Wong when we both ran for school board under the banner of COPE. We were both elected and sat together for 12 years on the Board in Vancouver.
We started as colleagues and became good friends as well. His commitment to kids and the right of all kids to an education that would enable them too reach their full potential in school and in life has been unsurpassed.
This involved working with a wide diversity of parents, teachers, trustees and other members of the public without using a litmus test about their politics. What benefitted students has always been his litmus test. These are his values. And they have not changed. I believe Mr. Louis’ comments say more about himself than about Allan.
I would rather Allan not join Vision. I would not do so. But I believe Allan Wong sees it as the only way he can continue to work for the kids in Vancouver schools and I respect his honesty and integrity in doing so. Cope and Vision trustees have worked together well in the interests of the students in Vancouver schools.
While not always agreeing, they have cooperated on the school board. Neither has given up their values and both have made a valuable contribution to the educational offerings of Vancouver schools. Allan will continue to do what he and other COPE trustees have done while on the school board with Vision: work for the benefit of the students with anyone who will join him. Mr. Louis, when he has commented in the past, has been supportive. Till now.
I believe that the rude personal reception by Mr. Louis’ supporters when Allan delivered his school board report at the last COPE annual general meeting was an invitation to leave. I think they left Allan before he left them. And there are others, such as myself, who no longer find COPE a welcoming political home and reject Vision, who are examining their options, while Mr. Louis engages in another factional fight within COPE. I look forward to casting my ballot for my good friend Allan Wong in the next civic election.
Allen Blakey,
Vancouver
