Guest Blogger on Ed Mirvish & others...

Hi David,

This comment isn't really about this item on your blog. I wanted to write you about someone else (coincidentally a jew) that I think deserves recognition. I couldn't find an email link, so I post it here hoping you will read it.

A great Canadian, Ed Mirvish passed away today just short of his 93rd birthday. I had the great pleasure to work for him on a few occasions and to know him and his lovely wife a little bit. I wish we had a citizen statesman like Ed here in Vancouver. Ed built theatres and invested his money in the cultural life of his city. He hired people and paid them good wages and benefits. He was Jewish, but handed out free turkeys to anyone who needed one each Christmas.

The best we can come up with in Vancouver is Jimmy Pattison: Best known for owning a gigantic yacht and Frank Sinatra's old house in Palm Springs. He apparently made his fortune by firing the worst performing (least lucky?) car salesman at the end of each month in each of his many car dealerships and by polluting our province with ugly billboards. Philanthropy doesn't seem to be his strong suit. How do we get an Ed Mirvish in Vancouver?RIP Ed.

Thanks for listening David.

Cheers,John