IserveU founder departs organization
Launch of e-democracy platform faces further delays as council business continues
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A driving force behind the IserveU e-democracy platform, which has yet to launch, has reduced his official role with the organization, according to the only city councillor elected under the IserveU banner.
Paige Saunders: IserveU co-founder has left its board of directors. - |
The platform was said to be a venue for city residents to voice views on issues being considered by city council.
Coun. Rommel Silverio told Yellowknifer in an interview that Paige Saunders, who contributed thousands of dollars to get the group started, left its board of directors late last year.
Silverio added Saunders will still be involved in the organization in a less official capacity. Calls to Saunders' cell phone were not answered.
Mike Westwick, IserveU's communications director, confirmed Saunders' departure.
"He has chosen to focus on other projects moving forward," Westwick wrote in an e-mailed response to questions. He stated Saunders will still be available as a technical adviser but will not have a role in the day-to-day operations of the group. Westwick wrote that the departure won't have an impact on operations and that Jessica Tran is the lead developer.
Saunders, a New Zealand-born computer technician and entrepreneur, was said to be writing the code for the IserveU website. He had told Yellowknifer reporters various versions of stories as to whether or not he sold his home in part to fund the organization.
Silverio's comments came during an interview about the status of the platform that has yet to launch after being heavily promoted before the Oct. 19 municipal election.
IserveU announced after the vote that its platform wouldn't be ready until January.
Silverio was one of three candidates who ran in the Oct. 19 municipal election and agreed to use the system if elected. He was the only one elected.
Silverio said last week that the service, which organizers claimed would be the first e-democracy platform, is still in development.
On Monday, Westwick said the group isn't putting a timeline on when the platform will launch.
"We're working on getting it launched as soon as possible," Westwick said.
"Our ultimate goal is to make sure that it is fully functional ... upon it's first launch for everyone who wants an effective e-democracy system in town."
In the meantime, Silverio is continuing to voice opinions and vote at city council meetings. Silverio said he's using input gathered from e-mails from constituents and the meetings with various groups that he attends.
During budget deliberations, as councillors were making decisions on what to cut or keep in the capital budget essentially on the fly in meetings spread over several days, Silverio said he was relying on input gathered beforehand about what people thought about various projects.
