Anschell calls meeting; BIA says critic not authorized
Russ Davies & Larry Anschell
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Updated: June 23, 2009 1:24 PM
A meeting called to elect a new board of directors to the White Rock Business Improvement Association will have little to no consequence for the BIA, officials say.
The July 7 extraordinary general meeting was announced last week by Larry Anschell, a White Rock businessman who has been taking the BIA to task for more than a year over issues including its financial reports and a perceived failure to follow its own constitution. The announcement follows a 37-name April petition and includes a list of 14 BIA members who have reportedly asked to stand for election. It repeats claims the BIA is contravening its constitution.
But lawyers for the BIA say Anschell has not met the requirements of the Society Act that would enable him to call such a meeting.
"The proposed meeting is not legally binding, it's not going to be recognized," said Russ Davies, executive director of the association.
A letter explaining "Mr. Anschell's error," along with a supporting letter from the city, went to BIA members Monday, Davies said.
Since last fall, the BIA has spent about $5,000 in legal fees to respond to Anschell's claims and petitions, Davies said.
"That's money that's not being spent on the businesses and that's a shame," he said.
While the BIA is not taking the EGM announcement lightly, it is also not letting it getting in the way of day-to-day business, Davies said.
"We're carrying on. This issue certainly doesn't slow us down or distract from our mandate."
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