Even for this Bulwer-Lytton nominee, the right words for Susan Heyes's fairy-tale victory over the powerful forces that brought us the Canada Line, along with the demise of several dozen once-profitable businesses, are difficult to find. It's just so remarkable.
Any reporter who has ever covered the sad plight of the Cambie Street merchants and the long, extensive havoc wrought by the builders' arbitrary, last-minute decision to rip up the street, rather than tunnel, has rarely been long without a reminder of Ms. Heyes's struggle.
With a steady, almost daily barrage of e-mails, she reminded us constantly of the injustice visited upon her and other shopkeepers, pouncing on every detail that advanced the cause or shone a bad light on Canada Line and the Liberal government, which rejected all pleas for compensation with a dismissive shrug.
Wednesday morning, there was another e-mail from the tireless Ms. Heyes. This one had only two words, in big, black, bold letters: "WE WON!!!" Attached was a copy of the judge's decision awarding her the grand sum of $600,000 for her financial losses and vindication in a long, lonely struggle many thought hopeless.
If Canada Line and TransLink heavies do decide to appeal the judgment, one might suggest they still cough up a wad of cash to Ms. Heyes. She's struggled enough. The last thing she needs is more savings drained by fighting for her rights. Fair's fair, n'est-ce pas ?
The media loves a good story, so I sent off a short, congratulatory note to Ms. Heyes for being one. I suggested, however, the money could not make up for all the heartache. She agreed. Yet not even this old grump could dampen her joy. "Yes, it's been a nightmare," she replied. "But I won't have to sell my home now, I hope. And – my darling girl graduates this weekend. I'm very happy. Cheers, Susan."
It's been a long time since Ms. Heyes ended an e-mail with "Cheers."
YOU CAN'T SPELL OPPAL
WITHOUT 'PAL'
Not long after his brief political career was ended by the dissatisfied voters of South Delta – barring a victory in a judicial recount – a watery-eyed Wally Oppal stood before an assembled media throng, patient, helpful, and forthcoming as possible under the circumstances. Say what you will about Mr. Oppal's performance as Attorney-General (and it certainly wasn't bad), the media has lost a true friend.
Impossible to dislike, impossible not to reach, impossible to silence (except, of course, for the "StoneWally" who showed up on B.C. Rail questions), the A-G maintained the same cordial relations with the media that began when he was one of the few judges willing to weigh in publicly on community and social issues.
As he headed for the elevator after his somewhat emotional scrum, one of the city's crustiest, longest-serving cameramen couldn't help himself. He thanked Mr. Oppal. "You're the most media-friendly politician I've ever encountered."
That prompted your equally long-in-the-tooth correspondent to observe that a former premier named Bill Vander Zalm was no shrinking tulip with the media, either, and that in turn prompted a hither-to unknown talent for impersonation from the departing Attorney-General. Mr. Oppal recalled running into Vander Zalm at some function or other not so long ago. Doing a bang-on impression of The Zalm's mellifluous tones, Mr. Oppal recalled the former premier's words to him: "Wally, Wally, Wally. If I had your way with the media, I might still be premier."
AN UPHILL BATTLE
A historical footnote to Mr. Oppal's defeat by Vicki Huntington, described as the first provincial victory by an independent in 60 years: Technically true, but it ignores the long run of the legendary Tom Uphill. He represented the coal-mining constituency of Fernie from 1920 to 1960, most of the time as a member of his own one-person Labour Party. Independent in every way, except on the ballot.
LEARN FROM THE MASTER
You know, life is sometimes not so bad. As a member of the Vancouver Art Gallery, I could waltz into the gallery on my way back to the office, as I did the other day, and come face to face with a painting by my favourite artist, Johannes Vermeer.
There are only 35 Vermeers in the world, and one of them, The Love Letter , is now in Vancouver. "It's on the left," said the helpful guy at the entrance, when I explained my brief visit. Sure enough, there it was. For a few glorious minutes, until a guided tour showed up, I was all alone with Vermeer, just the master and me, relishing every detail of his deliciously exquisite painting. The high lasted for the rest of the day. Not bad, not bad at all.