The Victoria Beach Herald newsroom was
shocked to learn this morning of an emerging story that will likely leave this
quiet beach community in shock for some time. Similar to his sailing style
Victoria Beach Yacht Club Commodore R.W Van Berkel seems to have been playing
fast and loose with the VBYC constitution, re-writing the document to
consolidate his grip on power by repealing term limits for sitting Commodores
among other contraventions that clear the way for territorial expansion.
At the time of his election, it was widely
speculated by South Basin pundits that Van Berkel had arranged a backroom power
sharing agreement with former Commodore Ken Taylor, forging a tenuous coalition
between the old guard and the youth caucus represented by Van Berkel. The deal
was that after his constitutionally mandated four-year term was through, Van
Berkel would step aside and rotate the power back to the old guard. Outwitted,
that threat now looks comfortably astern but that may not be last reef in his
sail.
Much like a parliamentary omnibus bill
there were many surprises for the few who could wade through the complex tome
steeped in maritime law. Chamie (James) Thomas (LL.B.) one of the brightest
young maritime law minds in the country had been hired by Van Berkel to
re-write the constitutional document but became disgruntled with the surly
Commodore seemingly drunk on his own prospective power and blew the whistle.
“Now that we effectively can’t vote him out,
he seems hell bent on using the 2015 Manitoba Summer Games as a pretext for his
long simmering expansionist ideology.” Remarked Mr. Thomas. “Having landed the
Games he is now personally overseeing the construction and design of a new
facility for the games, in a lot of ways his legacy will rest on these games,
but I don’t think he will stop there, he is after a sweeter plum, the heart of
the community, I believe he will use force if necessary to annex the clubhouse”
Added Mr. Thomas.
Friends say the normally amiable Van Berkel
has hardened in recent years, the quick smile and laugh has been exchanged for
a serious demeanour and cold calculated judgement. Still stunned from the
revelation a long time VBYC member remarked of the situation: “Well, some guys
get their kicks from sailing and I guess others get it from power. Now that I
think about it I don’t know if I’ve ever actually seen him sail” It remains to
be seen how the end game will play out, but make no mistake the Commodore has
set a favourable course to ultimate victory.
VBYC Insider
