Two heroes of Vancouver's left passed away yesterday. Ben Swankey, a lifelong activist, died at age 98. As Georgia Straight editor Charlie Smith wrote last evening, "In 2003, the City of Vancouver turned his 90th birthday into "Ben Swankey day".

Swankey's 2008 autobiography, A Prairie Marxist's Memoir, was edited by Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs. In 2008, Tom Sandborn wrote in The Tyee that Swankey had "worked as a bartender, road construction labourer, organizer, salesman, journalist, editor, author, lecturer and researcher. He helped found an influential civic political group (COPE) in Vancouver. And well into his 80s, he agitated for seniors' and health care rights."

To many, Ben Swankey was a hero. He will be missed.

Activist and teacher Bob Rosen was equally well-loved as Ben Swankey.

Bob Rosen passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 64. As Bill Tieleman wrote in his tribute, "Bob's music, commitment to the fight for social change and his humanity will be deeply missed." As recently as last month, I saw and spoke to Bob each day at the 30th annual Vancouver International Film Festival, as we exchanged perspectives on the films we had seen, or planned to see, on any given day. As always, Bob was welcoming, with a warm and kind spirit, and always ready to engage.

I had met and worked with Bob in the 1970s and 80s when I was active in the British Columbia Teachers' Federation. Although we were but passing acquaintances, when we ran into each other over the years, we always greeted one another and took time out of our day to talk politics.

At a time when Vancouver's left appears to be in disarray, particularly following the defeat of the Coalition of Progressive Electors at the polls this past Saturday, Bob Rosen's and Ben Swankey's voices will be missed.

VanRamblings' 40+ year history of working on progressive social issues — through our involvements with the co-operative movement, feminist issues, social justice issues, the New Democratic Party and Vancouver's Coalition of Progressive Electors, with work within the British Columbia Teachers' Federation, across the Union movement, as a member of Vancouver's Board of Variance, as an educator and as a community activist — has been defined always by a commitment to democratic principles, a broad inclusionary, Bakuninist model of citizens' relationship to the state, a respect for humanity, and an essential belief in morality and human dignity.

Within the context of the previous paragraph, VanRamblings today posts our endorsement of candidates in the 2011 Vancouver civic election.

For the many who know us well, and given our opening statement, the choices made below — for Vancouver City Council, 3 COPE, 3 NPA, 1 Green, 2 independents and 1 Vision — might seem to be counterintuitive. Having attended all-candidates meetings throughout the City, having read the content on the candidate websites, and knowing many of our candidate selections as well as we do, we are confident that our candidate choices would approach their job as a Vancouver City Councillor with deep humility, and a deep and abiding commitment to public service.

The 10 candidates for civic office listed below are also, we believe, not only the most well-intentioned, but also the most well-informed candidates out of the 41 candidates who are seeking a Council seat in the 2011 - 2014 term of representative government at Vancouver City Hall. These 10 candidates would hit the ground running from the day after their election to Vancouver City Hall, possessing as they do a vast knowledge of city governance, covering a broad range of planning, heritage, urban design, land development, economic, arts and culture, youth and justice, seniors', transit and transportation, civic and regional, and the broad range of issues which Vancouver City Council must rule on meeting in, meeting out.

We believe, as well, that our choices for Council are committed to a thoughtful, inclusionary and collaborative process of decision-making, and the development of City policy that best reflects the interests of those of us who call Vancouver home. Without further ado, then, our democratically-inclined 2011 recommendations for Mayor and Vancouver City Council. For our endorsements, VanRamblings will write in the first person ...

Suzanne Anton is the best choice for Mayor in the 2011 civic election.

Having followed Ms. Anton's political career over the past nine years, having spoken with her on many occasions, and having discussed with friends on the so-called right, and on the left, who are more familiar with Ms. Anton than I, collectively, we know Suzanne Anton to be a thoughtful person committed to democratic principles, a community activist, and a person who is committed to process — which means that, as Mayor, she would listen to our voices, and seek to develop City policy that best reflects the interests of the broadest cross-section of the electorate of Vancouver.

In 2011, Suzanne Anton provides to those of us who will cast a ballot on Saturday, the best opportunity to return a much-missed civility and authenticity of purpose to city government, a democratic approach to governance that has been sorely out of favour much of the past decade.

On a personal note, when the current civic administration removed me from the Board of Variance, it was Suzanne Anton, and Ms. Anton alone, who called me at my home to express her deep regret at the decision taken by Council. Ms. Anton checked in with me on a regular basis after that, as we discussed issues of city governance, our respective values, and the world we would wish to create for our children, our families, and all the families living in every neighbourhood across the Metro Vancouver region.

I believe that Suzanne Anton would bring to city government a fidelity and purpose which might very well make her the best Mayor of a generation.

On a closing note, let me say as well — and I believe I speak for many on this count — that it is a sorry state of affairs that Vancouver has never elected a woman as Mayor. The time has long since passed when a woman should have ascended to the office of Mayor of our City.

In Suzanne Anton, in 2011, the electorate is provided with a long overdue opportunity to elect a woman as Mayor of the third largest City in Canada. That Suzanne Anton also happens to be a person of character, integrity and undeniable intelligence, a community activist committed to democratic principle, and a well-informed, well-experienced servant of the people, lends all the more reason to cast a ballot for Suzanne Anton this Saturday.

Endorsements: 2011 Candidates for Vancouver City Council

Mike Klassen, NPA: When I think of Mike Klassen, I recall the young fellow I first met 20 some odd years ago, a committed democratic then, a committed democrat now. Hardly a day goes by when I don't speak with Michael, a thoughtful, engaged person, and unlike the party that has Vision in its name, a candidate for Vancouver City Council who has long had a vision for the city of Vancouver, for the region, and for a democratic system of responsive and responsible civic governance. Truly non-partisan (or, perhaps, bi-partisan), there is no candidate running for Council in the 2011 Vancouver civic election who possesses a better grasp of the broad range of issues that will come before Council each week over the next three years, no one who has a better understanding of the regional issues that are of concern to everyone living across Metro Vancouver, and no harder working, committed democrat than Mike Klassen who, along with our (should be tied for #1) selection, directly below, will respond to each and every telephone call and e-mail that he receives at City Hall. Quite frankly, Mike Klassen is the best person I know, a devoted community activist, a good husband, a great father, and a true renaissance man for our age, with the widest diversity of interests of anyone of my acquaintance. Mike Klassen truly is a person who is possessed of integrity, as well as a curiosity and intelligence that is, daily, a wonder to be behold. Some months back, while Michael was considering a run for Council, I sat him down and had "the conversation" — remain true always to your values, do not let the power you will gain go to your head, remember every day what it is you didn't like about our system of governance, and what it is you committed to changing should the people of Vancouver elect you to Council. Mike Klassen made the commitment to me that, in city government, he will be the same caring person, devoted friend, husband and father, and committed democrat that I have known him to be for 20+ years. Those of us who live in Vancouver would do ourselves a big favour by casting a vote for Mike Klassen this Saturday.

Tim Louis, COPE: Clearly, I'm a big fan of Mike Klassen, but I am, daily, astounded by Tim Louis, who I've known well for 7 years, having worked on his campaign for a COPE nomination in 2008, and again in 2011, creating a website for Tim, and co-managing aspects of his campaign for Vancouver City Council in 2011. All you have to do is take a look at the broad range of endorsements on his campaign website, ranging from community activist Mel Lehan, to De-Growth candidate for Council Chris Shaw, respected broadcaster J.B. Shayne, co-founder of the international group Lawyers Against the War, Gail Davidson, former NDP Minister of Culture, Tourism and Municipal Affairs, Darlene Mazari, each of whom is as moved and awed as I in regards of Tim's commitment to social justice, his ability to work always in a collaborative manner with the community, and in the past with members of Council and Park Board. Tim is possessed of a very fine mind and a warm, engaging personality, a quick wit and wonderful sense of humour, as well as an intelligence and a recall memory truly a wonder to behold. I am committed to Tim, and remain committed to working hard in the waning days of this municipal election to help Tim, and to help all of us, aid COPE candidate for Vancouver City Council Tim Louis emerge as a winning candidate on Saturday evening, in the best interests of us all.

Ellen Woodsworth, COPE: In what kind of despair would those of us who live in Vancouver find ourselves, were it not for the commitment Ellen has made this past 3 years to the well-being of all of us who live in Vancouver, as the member of Council who daily devoted herself to social justice issues, to working towards the negotiation for, and supply of, affordable and social housing, arts and culture, LGBTQ issues, for seniors, for electoral and campaign finance reform, for more, better and faster transit, bike lanes and pedestrian safety, and for those who are resident in the DTES and largely locked out of the decision-making that goes on at City Hall. I have an immense amount of respect for Ellen, for her devotion to cause, and her devotion to the public interest. Ellen Woodsworth deserves your vote.

Sean Bickerton, NPA: Truth to tell, behind Michael Klassen, Sean is my favourite NPA candidate running for Council, one of the most down-to-earth, hard-working, community-oriented activists currently seeking a seat on Council. As the NPA website has recorded about Sean, "Sean Bickerton is a passionate advocate for the arts and culture in Vancouver. He has served as Vice President of the Vancouver Recital Society Board of Directors, Chair of a Strategic Task Force for the Langley Community Music School, and was the founding member of Vancouver 2050: Creative City." Sean is also co-chair of the False Creek Residents Association, and along with Sandy Garossino (who we'll endorse below) founded Vancouver Not Vegas. Bright, articulate, committed to democratic principle and public service, an advocate for the arts, and the issues that inform his candidacy, bereft of ego (narcissism tends to run rampant with others in the fray — none on our list, though — but not Sean). Even if you're thinking of voting slate, knock off your lowest ranked slate pick, and vote for Sean Bickerton.

Sandy Garossino, Independent: Co-founder of Vancouver Not Vegas, the person who led the fight against the godawful Edgewater Casino project, Sandy has emerged during the 2011 Council race for civic office as the hardest working, most clear-minded, articulate, most media savvy independent candidate for City Council, in the history of independents running for election in Vancouver. Hard to believe that she won't win. Polling indicates that Sandy will garner the most votes ever for an independent Council candidate, but will that be enough? It will be, if enough of us get out on Saturday and cast a vote for Sandy Garossino.

Adriane Carr, Green: Those in attendance at all-candidates meetings across the City are in the midst of a love affair with Adriane Carr, who has taken her 23-year high profile fight for the environment, and transformed it into one of the most focused, best-run, best-informed, grassroots campaigns that Vancouver residents have ever witnessed, so much so that Adriane is all but guaranteed a seat on the next Council — but you're going to have to get out there and vote for her on Saturday, if you want that to happen. And you do. We need Adriane Carr on Vancouver City Council.

Marie Kerchum, NSV: Having run a stealth campaign for office in 2011, among the not ready for prime time Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver candidates, former Registrar of the College of Teachers, Marie Kerchum, is one of the brightest, most accomplished candidates running for Council in 2011, who would were she elected to Council would emerge as a beloved politico committed to serving the public interest. In her role with the College, with the competing interests of Boards of Education, the BC School Trustees Association, the BCTF, the teacher being brought before the College, each and every time she managed, against all odds, to maintain the public interest. Just the skill set we need on Vancouver City Council. Marie Kerchum is a star in the making; if COPE or the NPA have any smarts (and they do), they'll be knocking on Ms. Kerchum's door after the election, and work with her on a 2014 run for Vancouver City Council.

George Affleck, NPA: George has only recently come onto my political radar. President and CEO of Curve Communications, his work focusing mainly on arts and culture / media relations with various of the ballet companies across Canada, with a history of journalism with the CBC, as chair of the Vancouver Comedy Festival, as well as Chair of the Cooperative Auto Network (now Modo), George is currently a director of the Vancouver Children's Festival. We call that community spirit. When I spoke with George on Sunday, at the WERA all-candidates meeting, I asked him of what he was most proud, where he had achieved his greatest success. "My family," he said, ferrying his 3 children from their Yaletown home, to various sports events, singing or art classes. Community spirited, a devoted husband and father, bright, accountable, down to earth. He's got my vote.

RJ Aquino, COPE: I first met RJ when we worked together on Adrian Dix's campaign for leadership of the NDP, in the spring. I found RJ to be hard working, personable, down-to-earth, articulate, bright, and discovered while talking with NDP MLA Mabel Elmore that RJ was a community activist, with an impressive work ethic, who had contributed as a member of COPE's Executive Council. In the white bread list of endorsements, above and below, RJ is a person of colour we need on our next Council, a devoted husband and father, and an activist very much involved in the Filipino community (a thriving community under-represented politically). His community, our community, needs RJ's voice on Council. Vote RJ Aquino.

Geoff Meggs: I remember, back in the 70s sitting with Geoff talking politics, talking about journalism (he was working for the Fisherman's Union at the time), and again in the 80s, when we did political commentary on Co-op Radio. I've always liked Geoff, found him to be very bright and down-to-earth. I was talking with Michael Geller the other day (Michael has endorsed Geoff), who told me just how impressed he was with Geoff's intelligence, about how engaged he found Geoff to be, how Geoff's grasp of municipal issues was second-to-none, and what a travesty it would be if Geoff were not to be elected to Council for a second term. Michael's right, of course. If the polling is correct, Geoff is going to lose. Which is a pity, considering who Vision Vancouver has put forward for Council. A wonderful writer, bright, well-informed, with a tendency to arrogance (ah well, we can't all be perfect), for those who have any concern at all for the livability of our city going forward, Geoff Meggs is a candidate truly possessed of vision, the one Vision Councillor for whom you want to cast a vote.

Endorsements: 2011 Candidates for Vancouver Park Board

Under Vision Vancouver, Park Board has lost its independence, allowing Council (and the office of the City Manager) to dictate budget and policy. Sure, these were difficult economic times the past three years, but is there anyone out there who thinks that the majority Vision Park Board Commissioners stood up for our parks? Time to send a message that, as NPA candidate for Park Board Dave Pasin has written, Park Board priorities have been out of whack. Time for a new Vancouver Park Board.

Brent Granby, COPE: Chair of COPE's Park Board caucus the past couple of years, Brent's been active with the West End Residents Association and the Save St. Paul's Coalition. Brent's put in the work, knows the issues, is committed to preserving and expanding the parks system in Vancouver, and along with his COPE cohort, and working with other Park Board members, there's some hope that the Park Board ship can be righted.

Donalda Greenwell-Baker, COPE: Donalda's absolutely committed to the parks system, and I don't doubt for a second her commitment to Vancouver's parks system. Donalda's not running out of ego or a desire to, necessarily, support the Vision-COPE 'collective agreement', she's placed her name before the electorate because she grew up in Vancouver (she's one of the few candidates for office who lives on the east side), and parks were, and continue to be, an important component of what she feels makes our city vibrant and livable. Quality of life. Vote Donalda Greenwell-Baker.

Jamie Lee Hamilton, IDEA: Jamie Lee is our favourite among all the Park Board candidates. Rest assured that Jamie Lee will be a reasoned, articulate and intelligent advocate for Vancouver's parks system, that nothing will get by her, that she will always act in the public interest. Where many have talked about collaborative working relationships, should they be elected to public office, Jamie Lee is the one person running for Park Board in whom I have the most confidence that, once elected, she will 'play nice with others'. Save a vote for Jamie Lee on November 19th.

John Coupar, NPA: Two words, Bloedel Conservatory. If not for the efforts of John Coupar, a Governor of VanDusen Botanical Gardens, President of Friends of the Bloedel Association, and Chair of the Bloedel Committee, we might very well have lost our arboretum atop Queen Elizabeth Park. That alone provides enough reason to make sure that you cast a vote for John Coupar on Saturday, November 19th. 'Nuff said.

Dave Pasin, NPA: Of all the candidates running for a Park Board seat at the decision-making table, Dave has run the highest profile campaign, from a magnificent and always on social media / twitter campaign, to great all-candidates meetings, to a grasp of all the issues Park Board in the next three years will face, Dave's committed to our parks, and won't allow Council to push Park Board around. A breath of fresh air. Vote Dave Pasin.

Aaron Jasper, Vision Vancouver: Aaron, Aaron, Aaron. After taking it on the chin in his first year as Chair of the Park Board, it seemed as if Aaron had found his long absent humility, stopped reacting to his fellow commissioners and park board delegations, and began to speak respectfully to those with whom he came into contact. A humble Aaron is an effective Aaron. I believe in institutional memory, and truth be told, I believe in Aaron Jasper. We'll need his presence on the Park Board in the next term.

Stuart MacKinnon, Green: In the face of an almost constant attack from the Vision majority on the Park Board, Stuart consistently acquitted himself with aplomb, dedicating himself always to the public interest, and the interests of the parks system in Vancouver. Stuart didn't always vote the way I wanted him to, but at least he was able to provide a logical rationale for why he cast a vote the way he did. In a very real sense, Stuart MacKinnon was the conscience on the last Park Board, sensitive to the public will, engaged, informed, and genuinely deserving of your vote.

Endorsements: Candidates for Vancouver Board of Education

This one's a gimme, given that I feel that, with Patti Bacchus as Chair of Vancouver's Board of Education, the Vision Vancouver / COPE majority have remained steadfast in their support of public education, and in difficult times did not shy away from the very difficult choices that had to be made, while maintaining their commitment to students, teachers and parents.

1. Patti Bacchus, Vision Vancouver
2. Jane Bouey, COPE
3. Mike Lombardi, Vision Vancouver
4. Sandy Sharma, NPA
5. Ken Denike, NPA
6. Allan Wong, COPE
7. Gwen Giesbrecht, COPE
8. Al Blakey, COPE
9. Ken Clement, Vision Vancouver