Vanoc Scandal: Callaghan Valley Nordic Venue

[earseyeswideopen]

Miniaturesnickers you are going to have people rolling in the isles with laughter after this statement:

And in response to your question, none of the names implicated in the article you posted are members of VANOC, serve on their board of directors, or are otherwise work within the organization.

My friend, I am a patient person, so please reread Bob Mackin's article & wipe your rose coloured glasses clean re: THE PLAYERS in this scandal re: the Callaghan Valley Nordic Centre.

The visitors to this site draw their own conclusions thankfully, you have no control over that.

Further you inform me with the following:

"FYI, I am a member of the Broadcast Media and therefore extremely concerned with, you know, getting facts right.

. . . & therein lies the problem with our Broadcast Media LOL!!!! What Media group do you belong with, pray tell????? If the public is depending on your diligence for the facts, vs spewing Vanoc's spin with all those silly figures that are being blasted out of the water by the hour. . . we are all in big trouble!

Could it be that you obtained one of those little media contracts that the Campbell Govt. has issued through the Premier's Office, (uncovered in the pretrial Raid on the Legislature evidence: http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/ ???

The Premier's Office is well represented by former Dep. Minister to the Premier, Ken Dobell, now a high paid consultant with a desk in the Premier's Office; a man with many hats whose finger is in many pies, who sits on several of Vanoc Board's of Directors, including the Legacies Now Committee in charge of all those Nordic facilities being built at TAXPAYERS' COST & the big question is: for whose vested interests??? Gee could that possibly be a key link?

So many questions . . . .so little time to devote to cleaning up this site. Stay tuned folks. . . . .

[earseyeswideopen]

Miniaturesnickers you are going to have people rolling in the isles with laughter after this statement:

My friend, I am a patient person, so please reread Bob Mackin's article & wipe your rose coloured glasses clean re: THE PLAYERS in this scandal re: the Callaghan Valley Nordic Centre.

The visitors to this site draw their own conclusions thankfully, you have no control over that.

Further you inform me with the following:

. . . & therein lies the problem with our Broadcast Media LOL!!!! What Media group do you belong with, pray tell????? If the public is depending on your diligence for the facts, vs spewing Vanoc's spin with all those silly figures that are being blasted out of the water by the hour. . . we are all in big trouble!

Could it be that you obtained one of those little media contracts that the Campbell Govt. has issued through the Premier's Office, (uncovered in the pretrial Raid on the Legislature evidence: http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/ ???

The Premier's Office is well represented by former Dep. Minister to the Premier, Ken Dobell, now a high paid consultant with a desk in the Premier's Office; a man with many hats whose finger is in many pies, who sits on several of Vanoc Board's of Directors, including the Legacies Now Committee in charge of all those Nordic facilities being built at TAXPAYERS' COST & the big question is: for whose vested interests??? Gee could that possibly be a key link?

So many questions . . . .so little time to devote to cleaning up this site. Stay tuned folks. . . . .

N.B. Link to Raid on the Legislature site works better without the ?????: http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/

[miniaturesnickers]

Miniaturesnickers you are going to have people rolling in the isles with laughter after this statement:

My friend, I am a patient person, so please reread Bob Mackin's article & wipe your rose coloured glasses clean re: THE PLAYERS in this scandal re: the Callaghan Valley Nordic Centre.

The visitors to this site draw their own conclusions thankfully, you have no control over that.

Further you inform me with the following:

. . . & therein lies the problem with our Broadcast Media LOL!!!! What Media group do you belong with, pray tell????? If the public is depending on your diligence for the facts, vs spewing Vanoc's spin with all those silly figures that are being blasted out of the water by the hour. . . we are all in big trouble!

Could it be that you obtained one of those little media contracts that the Campbell Govt. has issued through the Premier's Office, (uncovered in the pretrial Raid on the Legislature evidence: http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/ ???

The Premier's Office is well represented by former Dep. Minister to the Premier, Ken Dobell, now a high paid consultant with a desk in the Premier's Office; a man with many hats whose finger is in many pies, who sits on several of Vanoc Board's of Directors, including the Legacies Now Committee in charge of all those Nordic facilities being built at TAXPAYERS' COST & the big question is: for whose vested interests??? Gee could that possibly be a key link?

So many questions . . . .so little time to devote to cleaning up this site. Stay tuned folks. . . . .

First of all, it's ailes, n00b.

Second, I will give you this, I should of rephrased: none of the names listed in the article sit in any position of influence on VANOC. IE) None that would have any control over finance or the actual selection of the site itself, which btw, dates back to the Bid Book. Does it look suspicious? A little. Does it mean anything? Probably not. The Legacies Now committee has very little influence over where venues go, but rather what their use is post-games. Indication of that should be in moving the Oval to Richmond, where arguably it's function as a legacy facility is diminished. Do you think that anyone involved in this so-called scandal could have foreseen that the location would become host to the Olympics? Doubtful.

Following the Olympics is a hobby of mine, not my job. So forgive me if I'm perhaps not as thorough in my exploration of facts as I would be when actually doing my job. But to question my credibility, when you offer none yourself, is the height of arrogance. Additionally, that you would come onto a message board populated by Olympic fans and think you could sway anyone is almost painfully pathetic. We don't go on to your Anti-Olympic Conspiracy Theory message boards and tell you what to think.

There are numerous diverging views on the Olympics and I take absolutely no issue with your opposition to them. For the most part, you sound informed, despite the fact I believe you jump to conclusions and are determined to find clouds in every silver lining. Informed opposition is a positive.

Trolling an internet message board to get your point across to all of ten people is not. I'm pretty sure that energy could be better spent.

So, for now, you can go to hell.

[earseyeswideopen]

For the most part, you sound informed, . . . . . Informed opposition is a positive.

Thank you, miniaturesnickers! I am so pleased to see your avid interest in this topic.

You state:

Following the Olympics is a hobby of mine, not my job. So forgive me if I'm perhaps not as thorough in my exploration of facts as I would be when actually doing my job

If you are in fact part of the media, then with all due respect, why aren't you more interested in the "exploration of facts"? It would seem to go with the territory. Doesn't the way you handle your personal opinions on this site reflect how you do your job? Facts are facts and they form the basis of informed opinions. Right?

Regarding your quote:

Then you write:

Additionally, that you would come onto a message board populated by Olympic fans and think you could sway anyone is almost painfully pathetic. We don't go on to your Anti-Olympic Conspiracy Theory message boards and tell you what to think

Excuse me????? Are saying that no one else can express an opinion on Vanoc & share important facts because you believe that this site is exclusively for dyed in the wool, "Olympic fans"?

Sorry, but that IS silly. Please read more carefully, especially if the public is counting on people like you to get the facts right for your 'media' reporting:

I have already stated:

"I am not against the Olympics - I admire the athletes who have to survive on pittance - I am against unethical/possibly corrupt dealings with Vanoc in conjunction with their links to Govts. and their personal networks.

You posted:

Does it look suspicious? A little.

Yes - therein lies the reason for you & other people like myself to start asking tough questions. This is is designated a Hot topic for a reason - viewers are interested.

To tell me to:

go to hell

is a little tacky, don't you think?

I understand your dissonance because you are clearly, for whatever motivations, a cheerleader for Vanoc. It upsets you to read anything contrary to your closely held beliefs. I am sorry to see you get upset, but I personally, want to know what is going on surrounding Vanoc's secretive dealing!

You wrote:

Second, I will give you this, I should of rephrased: none of the names listed in the article sit in any position of influence on VANOC. IE) None that would have any control over finance or the actual selection of the site itself, which btw, dates back to the Bid Book. . . . . . The Legacies Now committee has very little influence over where venues go, but rather what their use is post-games. . . . . Do you think that anyone involved in this so-called scandal could have foreseen that the location would become host to the Olympics? Doubtful.

Sorry, miniaturesnickers, this is factually wrong. Please reread the articles & try to connect the dots. You ARE on the right path to this scandal when you say that refer to the Legacies Now Committee as being linked to the Legacies use post games. Good for you!

Everyone has the right to know the truth, as ALL Canadians' taxpayers dollars are being shoveled into these 'Games' with their cost overrun Venues, & 'Legacy' Plans, (just WHO is directly benefiting in the private sector???) . . . all courtesy of the original Bid players (as YOU correctly pointed out ) flowing into Vanoc linked directly to the BC Govt & the Federal Govt, through key Land bureaucrats, a former AG crown lawyer, a former Dep. Min. to the Premier now Fed. Minister in charge of the Olympics, private sector interests in the Nordic business . . . on & on we go . . .

Then we learn: ALL linked to a ski resort proposal that had won the legal rights to develop the Callaghan Valley?????? - now with an active RCMP Commercial Crime involvement!!!! Who wouldn't be interested with this stench?

I believe that it is never a waste of time to assist in getting things right - to hold our public authorities fee to the fire. We deserve to see everything Vanoc is doing to ensure that everything is ETHICAL. I don't have a lot of time to spare, but you can count on me to follow up & share the facts on this developing scandal.

Keep smiling and thinking, please.

[agenthuggles/agentr]

To eyesearswideopen.

I love your reasons and discussions for these non believers... Surely they do not get it.. Mr X must have his eyes shut to taxpayers money.. or is working for them LOL.

Keep on informing us Eyesearswideopen , I am paying lots to it..

Injustice has been done to the Hartwicks, and I don't even know or live there..

Thsi to me is a CRIMINAL CASE all the way. I worked in the justice system, and the people ,if there eyes are open , can see the injustice..

agenthuggles/agentr

[mr.x]

To eyesearswideopen.

I love your reasons and discussions for these non believers... Surely they do not get it.. Mr X must have his eyes shut to taxpayers money.. or is working for them LOL.

Keep on informing us Eyesearswideopen , I am paying lots to it..

Injustice has been done to the Hartwicks, and I don't even know or live there..

Thsi to me is a CRIMINAL CASE all the way. I worked in the justice system, and the people ,if there eyes are open , can see the injustice..

agenthuggles/agentr

and you must be eyesearswideopen's second alias to this forum.

The fact is right now we don't know much about this case. Everything we know is rather vague. Try to know more about what is going on before jumping to conclusions.

Also fact, whatever I have said above and in previous pages. VANOC has done exceptionally well financially and its venue program will have one of the earliest completions in Olympic history. Those are the numbers and figures, you cannot change/lie about that.

[Kenadian]

A quick Google search of the Hartwicks show that Dianne was once well connected to the Social Credit government in the 1970's - having previously ran (and lost) as a candidate for the provincial legislature and then immediately worked for some of the members of the ruling Social Credit government in that era. Sounds to me like one well to do and well connected group pointing fingers at another well to do and well connected group.

[Sir Rols]

LOL _ I only just came across this "debate". Who knew such goings on were happening in the Vancouver forums! I've rarely visited here since the Ilanaaq uproars.

Seems to me another NIMBY with an axe to grind.

[earseyeswideopen]

and you must be eyesearswideopen's second alias to this forum

. . . . alas, Mr. X, I wish I could take the credit for agenthuggle's words of wisdom, above - such a clear, concise grasp of the issue at hand:

Mr X must have his eyes shut to taxpayers money. . . or is working for them LOL.

Keep on informing us Eyesearswideopen ,

Injustice has been done to the Hartwicks, and I don't even know or live there..

This to me is a CRIMINAL CASE all the way. I worked in the justice system, and the people, if there eyes are open , can see the injustice.

Well done 'agenthuggles' - Mr. X just needs to expand his awareness by reader more carefully, grasp the deeper facts beyond his repetitious bafflegab.

Do you have a sheet of suggestions for responses, Mr. X from Vanoc?? How can you find the time to post thousands of comments?

Once again I defer to agenthugglesbaffle-gab insightful comment:

Mr X must have his eyes shut to taxpayers money . . . or is working for them LOL

[mr.x]

Well done 'agenthuggles' biggrin.gif - Mr. X just needs to expand his awareness by reader more carefully, grasp the deeper facts beyond his repetitious bafflegab.

Do you have a sheet of suggestions for responses, Mr. X from Vanoc?? How can you find the time to post thousands of comments?

funny how a noob is judging me. my posts accumulate to this during big events when GamesBids gets busy: like the 2010 referendum, or the 2010/2012/2014 IOC decisions, or the Athens/Torino Games, or the unveiling of the Vancouver/London logos.

Those are the facts, and it's reason. i provide you with the real facts and figures, yet you're only able to provide us with your spin through your intolerable arrogance.

And the fact still is there's not enough information about this case, you're simply jumping to conclusions.

and would you stop posting in such a large font? it's rather annoying.

[earseyeswideopen]

Touchy, touchy, Mr. X, LOL

I thought if I printed in larger print you would see the facts better

Please feel free to correct me on the facts & have shared on this site.

There is hope for you yet. Keep smiling.

[mr.x]

oh how mature you are.

[earseyeswideopen]

To: all of the near 600 + viewers on this thread, seeking the truth in context with the two newspaper stories breaking this week posted on this topic regarding Vanoc & the Callaghan Valley Nordic Centre scandal ~

Please note the active involvement of the RCMP with this scandal in the Callaghan Valley re: Vanoc & others associated.

I could not believe my eyes when I read this further, stunning story re: an RCMP "Fraud Alert" re: mob infiltration into the Olympics, the venues construction posted today.

Additonally, there is an active investigation re: the death of a road construction worker hired by Murrin Construction in the Callaghan Valley.

I have copied the article FYI. This information is not being widely exposed in the Mainstream Media. Please keep in mind the Callaghan Valley Nordic Centre is the most expensive taxpayer funded venue that Vanco has under development, with extensive plans involving the Vanoc Legacies Now Committee & private Nordic Operators - again, all at Canadian taxpayers costs.

Aug. 27, 2007 Fraud Alert

Vancouver's Olympic security unit warns contractors

RCMP goes public with existence of special squad watching builds

JEAN SORENSEN

correspondent

VANCOUVER

The RCMP is keeping a close eye on Olympic venue builds from the contract on down to labourers working on the sites.

"We realize that the large majority of contractors are hard working and ethical," said RCMP Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre, "but large capital expenditures do present the opportunity for the unscrupulous to attempt to defraud or profit from criminal activity."

Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, in operation since 2003, recently went public to let contractors and suppliers know they have an eye on them.

The multi-disciplined squad, including forensic accountants, construction specialists and undercover officers, looks for any criminal activity relating to contracts, sub-standard materials or services employed on Olympic 2010 work-sites. They also look at incidents of theft, immigration irregularities and labour practices.

This is the first time a Canadian law enforcement agency has formed such a unit to watch over Olympic Games venue construction. V2010-ISU is led by the RCMP and consists of RCMP, Vancouver Police Department, West Vancouver Police Department and Canadian Forces members.

The threat of organized crime infiltrating the Olympic Games has been a constant one, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has warned.

In August 2002 — after the announcement of the short-listed Olympic venues for 2010 which included Vancouver — Jacques Rogge, IOC head, warned organizers to be alert to organized crime after an alleged member of the Russian Mafia attempted to fix the figure skating events at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. S

In spring 2006, an internal document outlining the Canadian military's plans to help the RCMP police the Olympics was leaked to Montreal's La Presse. In the document, the Lt. Gen. Marc Dumais, head of Canada Command, maintained organized crime groups could "take advantage of the large volumes of funds being disseminated to make illicit profits."

Giuseppe "Joseph" Zappia was charged with fraud and conspiracy for allegedly falsifying construction costs associated with the Olympic Village built for the 1976 Montreal Summer Games. The case dragged on for years until Zappia was acquitted in 1988, after key witnesses died.

V2010-ISU members are in contact with other security units from Olympic host cities, including Salt Lake, to gain further information on problems they may encounter. The unit also passes on information to international security units hosting future games.

Unit leaders would not comment if members of organized crime groups were known to be working on venue jobsites or were affiliated in any way.

The security unit is taking a proactive, "advisory" role with VANOC, the Olympic committee, attempting to forewarn them about possible pitfalls.

V2010-ISU will not vet or accredit companies awarded VANOC contracts, nor is the unit running background checks on company principals and employees. VANOC has existing protocols to source such company information should it be deemed necessary.

V2010-ISU works at arm's length from VANOC and is called in to investigate when the organizing body notes anything irregular. As well, the unit collects information from other sources.

While no criminal charges have been laid to date, investigators have intervened providing timely information on individuals and events. Officials refused to comment on what the circumstances were.

VANOC may ask for assistance or the unit will receive a tip from a construction company noticing irregularities in a service contract or sub-standard materials being delivered to a site. As well, RCMP or police detachments noting problems at sites (theft of materials and equipment or damaged equipment) will relay the information to the integrated unit where it may be investigated further or tracked for trending.

Individuals who suspect illegal activity, such as seeing individuals signing off on materials that were not delivered to a site, can use Crimestoppers (1-800-222-TIPS) if the employee wishes to remain anonymous. The unit is also interested in receiving information on immigration or labour law violations.

[mr.x]

^ we all know about V2010-ISU thank you very much, and one of the first things VANOC and VISU did months after being awareded 2010 was establish V2010-ISU and an anonymous hotline for its employees.

also, that's not a "Fraud Alert". That's simply an article about what the RCMP and VANOC are doing to prevent fraud.

Regarding the death of one worker after some blasting at the Nordic venue site, accidents do happen. e.g. One person died while building the Millennium Line, and there was one construction worker one month ago that fell off a condo construction site and died. This is more of a Work Safe BC issue.

[mr.x]

^ and i should also note the Vancouver Sun had an article about what you posted quite awhile ago.

[Sir Rols]

The thing is Mr earseyeswideshut, ultimately whatever ends up with this incident, it won't stop the games going ahead in 2010, it won't stop Vancouver 2010 being popular and a success and it won't stop anybody around the world from being inspired by the Olympics.

Oh well, just keep going if it makes you feel better to let off some steam over whatever it is that bothers you about th Olympics.

[earseyeswideopen]

also, that's not a "Fraud Alert". That's simply an article about what the RCMP and VANOC are doing to prevent fraud.

My friend, Mr. X: That was very much a "Fraud Alert" - Here is a reality check: http://dcnonl.com/article/id24178

(Just to make your day I will use smaller font LOL)

Hello there, Sir Roltel from way down south in Australia. Just a wild guess but you're probably not that up to speed about who is pulling the strings politically at the helm between Vanoc & the BC Govt. Further unlike all of us up north, you probably have no vested interest in how, who, & for what is using billions of our Canadian taxpayers dollars with massive cost overruns piling up by the day. Correct?

To bring you & other 'out of Province' readers up to speed, it is a very tight group of people orchestrating Vanoc (not the 1,000 of paid employees at the lower levels). If you are informed here in BC, one knows the connections of this network & their long standing ties.

e.g. Ken Dobell is a Dir. on Vanoc, Chairman of the Finance Committee & sits on the Board of Legacies Now. Dobell was the Premier's Deputy Min. who now is the Prem's 'special advisor' in the private sector, with a desk in the Premier's Office - in excess of $200,000/yr. My goodness, Mr. Dobell was also the City Manager when our Prem was Mayor. They are kind of like the Bobbsey twins - quite inseparable.One of the Prem's close friends is CEO of Vanoc & just happens to be CEO of a huge Development Company, whose President was heavily involved with the Bid & the Venues; now taking the place of Ken Dobell as Chair of the Trade & Convention Center - in deep doo doo with huge cost overruns. Gee it looks like a circle to me. . . .

That is a heavy dose of political influence fueling the decisions re: Vanoc & the venues. Where the big bucks go - who gets what etc. etc. Legacies Now has a big finger in the crown land in the Callaghan Valley where the Nordic Venue is located; where Legacies Now is going to decide the 'Legacies' & what vested interests ultimately benefit.

The articles I posted on this Callaghan Valley/Vanoc scandal refers to: 2 key land bureaucrats linked to the Bid/Vanoc Board & a former crown lawyer now in private practice, a private Nordic operator. . . . all linked to the private company that was derailed from their legal rights in the same Callaghan Valley.

Don't you smell the stench? It is a no brainer, sir! The RCMP clearly seem to 'get it'.

You wrote:

Oh well, just keep going if it makes you feel better to let off some steam over whatever it is that bothers you about th Olympics.

It has nothing to do with letting off "steam", Roltel, & everything to do with being aware of key information. For the 3rd time: it is NOT the Olympics that bothers me, along with a growing sector of the population. It is the deep concern about what is happening behind the closed doors of organizing committees using the Olympics as a guise for vested interests.

On our doorstep in British Columbia:that is Vanoc & its pals.

I have nothing but admiration for the athletes - I know many elite athletes who share my view.

Are you getting the drift of things, Sir Roltel. . . I think you would be asking questions, too.

[earseyeswideopen]

Here is a perfect example of what I was referring to above: (bolding is mine)

August 23, 2007

VANOC's budget balloons ahead of 2010 Olympics

By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS

VANOC's rainy day fund could evaporate.

The Whistler Athletes' Centre, which includes a gym and lodge, was supposed to cost $16 million. The price tag ballooned by $20 million. VANOC expects to drain half its nearly $54 million contingency fund to compensate for that cost overrun alone.

NDP Olympics critic Harry Bains said VANOC is using the fund "to cover up mistakes or incompetence. "I think is very serious for the taxpayers," he said.

The problem was pinpointed in Partnerships B.C.'s April report, concealed by the provincial government until last week. VANOC executive vice-president Dan Doyle is a director of the government-owned company.

"It's the way Mr. Campbell runs his government, and the organizations that are funded through government," Bains said. "There are too few people having fingers in too many entities.

[mr.x]

That link doesn't word. And how about a reality check for yourself? That article simply stated what precautions were being made to prevent fraud. You're getting your hopes up a bit too much aren't you?

Further unlike all of us up north, you probably have no vested interest in how, who, & for what is using billions of our Canadian taxpayers dollars with massive cost overruns piling up by the day. Correct?

Rather incorrect, since it's FACT that 26% of VANOC's budget ($580 million for venues) is split between the provincial and federal governments while the remaining $1.6 billion is from the private sector. It's NOT BILLIONS, it's millions. Taxpayers are responsible for $580 million of VANOC's budget.

Right now, I don't deny anything. Maybe there really is something fishy going on, maybe it's not. But what I've been saying over and over again is THERE IS NO ACTUAL PROOF YET. You could link anything up - you could be one of those 9/11 conspiracy investigators that link everything up so it looks like the US government was behind the attacks. Why don't you WAIT UNTIL THE RCMP MAKES FINDINGS IN THEIR INVESTIGATION BEFORE JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS.

And as far as I'm concerned with Legacies Now, its main purpose for why it was formed is to oversee, operate, and maintain a few sports venues left over from the Games such as the Nordic centre and Blackcomb Sliding Centre.

Regarding the Whistler Athletes Centre/Village, I doubt they could have built 350-beds and all those amenities with only $16 million in the first place. However, the IOC's request for 800-additional beds in Whistler Athletes Centre made the entire situation much worse, ballooning it from $16 million to probably over $40 million. I wouldn't be surprised if the final cost were much more.

VANOC seems to be handling the sports venues quite well, but they've fallen quite a bit behind with the two athletes villages.

[mr.x]

Further unlike all of us up north, you probably have no vested interest in how, who, & for what is using billions of our Canadian taxpayers dollars with massive cost overruns piling up by the day. Correct?

Above: Rather incorrect, since it's FACT that 26% of VANOC's budget ($580 million for venues) is split between the provincial and federal governments while the remaining $1.6 billion is from the private sector. It's NOT BILLIONS, it's millions. Taxpayers are responsible for $580 million of VANOC's budget.

-------------

Added: And to add to that point, the overruns seen by VANOC are miniscule compared to the overruns Torino and Athens had, or the ones London already has. The OCOG budgets in Torino and Athens went up by billions and taxpayers had to foot that. London's OCOG budget has already gone from $4 billion to $16 billion in the two years since being awarded 2012.

You may think VANOC has been doing a terrible job, but the fact is they're much better than their predecessors. VANOC has only seen an increase of a few hundred million in its budget, but that has been picked up by the increase in private sponsorships and official suppliers. The additional $110 million in taxpayer overruns is minuscule to what taxpayers in Piedmont, Italy and Greece are dealing with.

[earseyeswideopen]

Mr. X: The link worked perfectly well last night - but not this morning when I retried it myself. I was told that the link has been changed,but the article can be accessed via the Journal of Commerce site. That is reality.

Below is a further substantive article posted this week by Bob Mackin.

It doesn't take criminal charges for there to be a firestorm from dirty political deals. This scandal re: the Callaghan Valley Nordic Venue & Legacy plans stinks.

Business in Vancouver August 28-September 3, 2007; issue 931

2010 Gold Rush: Bob MackinFraud an Olympic legacy the Vancouver/Whistler Games need to avoid

Countdown: 128 weeks until opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics.You might be interested to know that terrorism isn't the be all and end all for the RCMP's Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Members of the force are also responsible for ensuring criminals don't profit from the public money being poured into the Games.Terrorists have struck twice at the Olympics, which is two times too many. Eleven Israeli hostages were killed by Palestinian terrorists at Munich's 1972 Summer Games. Two people were killed and 111 injured by a pipe bomb in 1996 in Atlanta, also in summer.But British security expert Iain Donald, during a June trade mission to Vancouver, said crime, not terrorism, will be the most prolific risk in 2010. Donald, with international security consultancy Control Risks, said the potential for terrorism can't be ignored, but there are other threats that are far more likely to wreak havoc in Vancouver. Major international events are prone to violent protests, computer hacking, ticketing scams, pickpocketing and especially construction fraud.It's already happened in corruption-prone China, where Beijing vice-mayor Liu Zhihua was in charge of building the 2008 Olympics until he was fired from his post last year for taking RMB10 million ($1.4 million) worth of cash bribes and hookers. Oliver August, biographer of "China's most-wanted man" Lai Changxing of Vancouver, wrote in a recent U.S. News and World Report that Liu is not alone. Three other officials involved in building the 2008 Games were booted for construction-related corruption.Construction fraud can take on many guises. It includes, but is not limited to, bidding collusion, bribery, fake contracts and invoices, equipment and material theft, and the use of shoddy materials charged to the site owner at full price.Canadians can't pooh-pooh Beijing after what happened at Montreal 1976. The event was so corrupt that the London Evening News branded it the "Mafia Olympics."Mayor Jean Drapeau said his Olympics "could no more lose money than a man can have a baby" and were supposed to be a modest $310 million but ended up costing taxpayers well over $2 billion. Montreal journalist Nick Auf der Maur's The Billion Dollar Game: Jean Drapeau and the 1976 Olympics blamed it on the lack of transparency and public scrutiny. A telling chapter recounts the RCMP's Operation Hermes, named for the busy Greek god whose portfolio includes commerce, cheats, thieves, luck and athletic contests.Giants like Trizec and Marathon bid on the Olympic Village project, but Drapeau chose to do a private/public partnership with a group headed by Joe Zappia. Not only did Zappia and his buddies make a sweetheart deal for themselves, but Zappia also managed to use his connections inside COJO – Montreal's organizing committee – to gain souvenir licences for things like shirts, clocks, keychains and medallions.Zappia was charged with fraud and conspiracy for falsifying Olympic Village construction costs, but was eventually acquitted in 1988 because key witnesses died before they could testify.Montreal's problems didn't start or stop with Zappia. Trucks loaded with equipment would check in at the Olympic Stadium construction site, drive out one gate and go around the block before returning through another gate. That meant one load could be double-charged.As if Vancouver needs another cautionary tale about putting too many eggs in the anti-terrorism basket, the 16,000-member security force for the Montreal Games engaged in a March 1976 dress rehearsal called Exercise Mount Olympus. Meanwhile, a Brinks armoured car was hijacked in Montreal's financial district and $2.8 million in cash and Olympic coins was stolen.Quebec Judge Albert Malouf spent three years heading an inquiry panel and eventually blamed Drapeau and the organizing committee. Malouf used words like "negligence" and "incompetence" to describe their legacy. He even found the provincial Liberal party had received donations from companies that got key contracts to build the 1976 Games. •2010goldrush@gmail.com

[thatsnotmypuppy]

earseyeswideopen - I don't know who pissed in your cornflakes this morning, but if you would just attempt to treat the members of this forum - some who have been posting for years and are VERY well connected in the Olympic world - with even a modicum of respect, you may find we are more than happy to debate with you the issues you have raised.

However, if you continue to act like own this place, you will find yourself very quickly and pointedly ignored or removed.

Play nice, or f*ck off.

[earseyeswideopen]

Re: Fraud Alert: August 27/07 - published in the Journal of Commerce: Vancouver's Olympic security unit warns contractors - RCMP goes public with existence of special squad watching builds

The link referred to above was changed to the following link:

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id24193

[agenthuggles/agentr]

earseyeswideopen - I don't know who pissed in your cornflakes this morning, but if you would just attempt to treat the members of this forum - some who have been posting for years and are VERY well connected in the Olympic world - with even a modicum of respect, you may find we are more than happy to debate with you the issues you have raised.

However, if you continue to act like own this place, you will find yourself very quickly and pointedly ignored or removed.

Play nice, or f*ck off.

I do not think your language is neccessary. Your the one who should be banned from this forum.

I joined to view and see how all is coming.

I also know there is fraud and theivery, I believe this strongly.

Also earseyeswideopen , if you read, is NOT AGAIST the olympics...

Hey DUDE Have your land taken away , or your house...OH Well !!!! That's what it is about !!!!!!

[Rob2012]

London's OCOG budget has already gone from $4 billion to $16 billion in the two years since being awarded 2012.

Erm, it hasn't actually. The budget of LOCOG (who are responsible for the event, not the venues) is mainly from the private sector and is £2bn. It hasn't changed and is unlikely to.

The ODA (Olympic Delivery Authority) is responsible for the venues. It's their budget that has risen but this is mainly because since we won in 2005, the government have decided to do more with the regenerative aspects than was originally planned. The costs of the venues has risen a bit but the main cost rise is for infrastructure that will be ready for 2012 but is only indirectly related to the games. There has also been a rise in security costs, but that's understandable given what's happened since 6/7/05. Plus, over a third of the £9bn is contingency; i.e. money that is available but that shouldn't be used.

So, when people say the costs of the Olympics is 9.3bn, they're only half right. Take the contingency off and what we should spend is £6bn. And a huge chunk of this £6bn is only indirectly related to the games anyway. Direct Olympics costs (venues and security) are about £4bn, less than half what people claim they are.

But I don't wish to derail this topic as it's not about London. Just thought I'd set these things straight.