Swag Revealed
Courier - September 16, 2009
What do Japanese pottery, a Japanese wrapping cloth, a tie and dinner tickets have to do with city hall? Those were freebies Vision Vancouver Coun. Kerry Jang obtained when he was deputy mayor in March, according to the councillor's disclosure statement filed at city hall.
The Japanese swag was courtesy of a delegation from Japan. It's now in Jang's office at city hall. That's where the tie is, too. It was given to him from Sir Phillip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee.
The dinner, which Jang recalls as being extravagant, was courtesy of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association. Jang told me Monday that he didn't know the cost of any of the freebies he received.
As per the Vancouver Charter, the mayor and council must disclose any "gifts" or personal benefits they receive worth more than $250. Jang also received free B.C. Lions tickets and tickets to a basketball game, although he didn't know which league or who the teams were.
Jang didn't go to the games because he was worried what the public might think. So he sent a letter to Marvin Storrow--the source of the tickets and one of the organizers of a B.C. Sports Hall of Fame dinner that Jang attended in June.
"While the thought behind the enclosed tickets is very much appreciated, unfortunately, it is my preference to not receive such gifts as they could be perceived by some as receiving a personal benefit due to the position I hold as a city councillor," Jang wrote in the letter, which is filed at city hall. "Therefore, I am returning the tickets so that they may be passed on to someone who could benefit from them."
For the record, Jang declined an offer this summer from Concord Pacific president Terry Hui to join him on his yacht to watch fireworks in English Bay. This has been an annual event for many city politicians who have no problem being wined and dined by a developer who does regular business at city hall.
"I wanted to make sure that I wasn't seen as being influenced," Jang said. "I will meet with developers for lunch or dinner but it's clear why I'm there. Whereas, being invited on a social engagement is a different matter to me."
Whenever Jang leaves office, he said he will probably turn over the pottery, wrapping cloth and the tie, which he says is not his style anyway.
MIKE HOWELL, Courier