Gay Heads in Sand?

Interesting to note: the highly visible, politically active gay community of the west end has had absolutely nothing to say on this boycott issue. Too preoccupied as to their next parade route?

Some interesting correspondence…

Dear Members of the Davie St Business Improvement Association,

In deference to the good works of your organization, especially here in the west end, I ask all your thoughtful members to boycott Super-Valu on Davie Street until it is no longer owned by a Hells Angel and has no more affiliation with that organization.

I have asked Gaelon Weston, the proprietor of Loblaws, the seller of the franchise and one of the chief suppliers of Super Valu, to guarantee continued employment of those employees there until this ownership matter is resolved to the enhancement of our community.

See www.ebaybanner.blogspot.com for details.

Sincerely,

R H Langen, west end, Vancouver


From: Davie Village BIA
To: ides
Cc: Steck, James
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 9:44 AM
Subject: Response to request to Super-Valu boycott
Dear Mr. Langen,
This correspondence is in response to your email dated April 1, 2005, in which you request that all of our "thoughtful members boycott" the Super Valu on Davie Street.
Firstly, we do not have a mechanism in place to forward correspondence to our members. Our newsletter is used to communicate to our membership, but there is not a place in that vehicle in which we include any form of solicitation. It is not our mandate to boycott our members.
Secondly, since receipt of your email we have been in touch with both the Owner and the Manager of the Super Valu here on Davie Street. Mr. McLellan, the owner for the past 30 years, has also confirmed for me that there is no ownership matter that is presently unresolved. I would like to bring to your attention and make reference to our mission statement and our core values. Should you provide a mailing address, I would happily send the same to you. They will soon be posted to our website, which is currently under construction.
Specifically, I refer to Core Value 1. "We respect both the dignity of individuals and the rights of all the members of the Society regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender choice, cultural or ethnic background, age, physical or mental ability, socioeconomic status or political, religious or social affiliation or beliefs. In this we seek to identify and remove barriers to participation in the activities of the DViBIA."
One of the many purposes of the BIA, according to the Constitution, is to develop, encourage, and promote, business in the Davie Village Area. To this end we assist the merchants to increase business, not force them out! As we are unable to assist you in this matter, I would suggest that you follow up with another form of media involvement or communication tool. Indeed your website refers to "helping people have their own voice on the web". Perhaps that could be the vehicle for your campaign.
For your information, your letter has been forwarded to the Board of Directors, many of whom are merchants on the street within our designated BIA boundary established by the City of Vancouver.
Respectfully, Lyn Hellyar, Executive Director, Davie Village Business Improvement Association.

Dear Ms Hellyar,
See below for information you may also like to pass on to your membership. After reviewing this material and perchance even reading these books or the Sun editorial about how "These Angels are Devils", you might want to consider a re-evaulation of your "core values" and the company you keep.
An interesting excerpt:
"...how a few citizens stood up to the bikers and paid for that bravery with their lives. Murder plots, drug deals, money laundering and assassinations are brought to life through never-before-revealed police files, wiretaps and surveillance tapes."
By the way, how thoughtful of you to ask for my address. -R H Langen