The Editor,
Congratulations to organizers for yet another successful Golden Spike Days festival and a big shout out to all those who volunteered their time for our city’s hallmark event.
It is unfortunately troubling that Port Moody Coun. Robert Vagramov chose to use this celebrated community event as the backdrop to launch his campaign for mayor. I believe he owes our community an apology for risking the goodwill generated by the Golden Spike organizers.
Coun. Vagramov showed poor judgement and a complete disregard for the event, taking advantage of the tireless work of all the volunteers and attempting to leverage the crowds for his own grandstanding.
I want to remind the privileged council member that the people of Port Moody elected him as a benefactor of our community, and not so he could personally benefit from the goodwill of our community.
Finally, I hope that Coun. Vagramov will produce the permit he obtained from the city to use the park for his political purposes. I am sure the Golden Spike organizers did their due diligence to ensure they followed the city rules and had the correct permitting for full use of the park and pier to host the dozens of festival events.
John Grasty, Port Moody
Editor’s note: Port Moody’s rules regarding park and pier use include this: “The Rocky Point Pier, the gazebo at the entrance to the pier, and the boardwalks around the park are key public access areas and therefore are not available for private use.” The city’s parks GM also said: “If your group attendance will be more than 50 people, you are required to request written permission for either Old Orchard Park or Rocky Point Park.”
