Check out the fine work on electoral reform by Merv Adey 2018 fellowship recipient Andrew Seal. It’s a fabulous five part series published by The Tyee. We’d like to raise additional funds to initiate the next fellowship. You can be sure it will support a comprehensive examination of a subject important to all British Columbians.
Thanks to the responses of Merv Adey’s friends and admirers, we will soon be announcing a fellowship to be awarded a recent graduate of a recognized journalism program.
The 2018 fellowship will include cash sufficient for weeks of research and writing time, with a workspace provided along with mentoring and editorial assistance by respected professional journalists. Publication will follow in an important online news magazine.
We will be proposing a public interest subject that is important and timely for BC citizens.
If you want to add to the funds enabling this journalism project, use the information below.
You may contribute to the KEEP A LIGHT ON – MERV ADEY MEMORIAL by depositing to an account established at VanCity Credit Union. There will be zero administration costs and every dollar of donated funds will be used for the stated purpose.
Our intention is to provide bursaries to a post-secondary student or students of journalism who have an interest in political reporting and subscribe to a code of journalistic ethics like THIS.
The ADEY family will be involved in distribution of funds. Our objective is to encourage public-spirited journalism in line with the principles that Merv valued.
Your contribution can be made without cost at any branch of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union or by electronic transfer to:
KEEP A LIGHT ON MERV ADEY MEMORIAL, VanCity relationship #90973365 (Savings Account)
In addition to a cash award, experienced journalists and editors have agreed to provide mentoring to the journalism student awarded with a MERV ADEY prize.
Thanks to them. More details coming soon.
Both Premier John Horgan and Green Party leader Andrew Weaver offer to assist in creating a MERV ADEY journalism award that will encourage effective political reporting. ROSSK, a UBC professor, will audit all transactions to ensure that every dollar contributed goes to an appropriate award. The Adey family will also participate to be certain that all money contributed serves journalism purposes that mattered to Merv.
In addition, experienced editors like Charlie Smith (Georgia Straight) and Paul Willcocks (The Tyee) offer to provide mentoring to journalism students who receive an award that honors Merv as an effective citizen journalist.
It’s a sad day today.
I knew Merv had been seriously ill for some time. Four weeks ago, he was hoping that a series of new cancer treatments would be successful and we planned to meet this month at his “humble digs.”
I was in touch with Merv when he announced what he hoped would be a temporary retirement from blogging. My words:
I (and many others I’m sure) will miss your intelligent contributions in this transitional period but you hung in there during the important times and helped set the province on a new political course. Be proud of that and focus entirely on getting well…
Growing older gives one new intellectual perspectives but the physical problems can be a bitch…
His response:
Yep. I have meds to control the side effects of the drugs for the side effects of the treatments:-)
Merv didn’t seek sympathy and was always self-effacing, even as the clock ticked down. I began communicating with him in 2011. We shared concern that ethical conduct of government had disappeared in British Columbia but that only citizens paying close attention were aware.
His first message to me said:
The BC Rail case turned me into an aspiring connoisseur of alternative media…
He provided regular comments and encouraged me, especially if my site went quiet for a period. Over coffee, I urged Merv to create his own pages. His analytical and articulation skills were matched with an altruistic spirit and BCVeritas.com was – as the name implies – a truth-seeking effort.
Yet, Merv understood Oscar Wilde’s statement:
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Today’s message by Premier Horgan informed me the end had arrived:
Saddened to hear of the passing of @MervAdey, who was so active in #bcpoli. My condolences to his friends and family, he will be missed.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) August 21, 2017
Merv didn’t have much desire for personal recognition but would have appreciated John Horgan’s words. He hoped – no, expected – that many of the issues he thought important would be addressed by the Premier’s new Government.
I’m hopeful that writers and readers in the online world of BC politics will find a suitable way to remember and celebrate Merv Adey. He took a serious interest in improving political reporting and perhaps a bursary or award in Merv’s name to a worthy student of journalism would be appropriate. Let me know if you agree.
Categories: Journalism
in-sights.ca 
I made my donation at the Chilliwack branch today.
Is there a way that we can track the growing amounts?
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I was one of so many … fortunate to have worked for the same organization as Merv for many years …
I was unaware of the amazing iceberg .. ( 7/8ths of which are below the surface … ) that was such an important part of his life.
I wish I had known him better … though I am thankful for the short time our paths crossed. He was a pure soul, always taking the high road. “We” will all miss him … and as in the words of the song … ” you never know what you’ve got .. until it’s gone”
Peace be yours .. my friend.
Cat
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RIP Merv.
For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game.
Grantland Rice.
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We will do this and I should have an announcement later today.
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Yes, a lovely idea. Let’s do it, and challenge the political parties to match or at least contribute.
Condolences to all. RIP Merv, along with Ian, Ed, BC Mary…
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I would be proud to be a part of anything on Merv’s behalf. All men can benefit by getting acquainted with him and his work and ethic. We lost in him the best of mankind, a true and intelligent mind,a fighter for what is right and a wonderful human being.
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Merv was a welcome addition to those shining light on what has really been going on in BC. He was fair, eloquent, inspiring and factual.
It seems he was in contact via DM, email etc with many people and it was a pleasure to communicate with him directly.
Glad he was here long enough to see this past corrupt govt ousted. He would have celebrated Hydro’s new direction on IPP’s.
I will be thinking of him every time a wrong is corrected. Every time we have good governance returned to BC.
Condolences to his partner, family and friends for losing such a person. You were so blessed to have had him in your life.
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Once I discovered BCVeritas, I looked forwards to everything in it. Sometimes I’d get lost if there were references to things from before I’d started following Merv, but eventually I’d figure it out.
I wish I was in a positive to contribute to a bursary, if one is established, but I heartily agree it should be pushed.
Rest well, Merv. You’ve earned your peace.
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RossK you always have been. Lovely tribute Norm, we will all miss Merv’s keen intellect.
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I am most definitely in.
.
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Merv started his blog with an invitation to his guests to read this piece in its entirety.
http://pressthink.org/2011/08/why-political-coverage-is-broken
It would be my hope that we honor his work and his memory through a persistent and vigorous challenge to those in the professional media who owe the public and the journalistic profession far more than they’re giving.
Merv left us a torch. Let’s keep it burning. There are feet in need of its touch.
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The world of journalism has lost a good member. The blog was well written and very informative. A bursary would be a good idea.
It is nice to see the Premier acknowledge the passing of a blogger and his work. Merv Adey made a difference.
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I completely agree that a bursary would be a fitting legacy and I would be happy to contribute. I am one of those inspired by Merv to take to the keyboard and pick up the torch. I appreciated all his encouragement and support. Goodbye Merv and thank you for all your countless hours of research and work. Rest well knowing that you inspired a whole new generation of bloggers. You made a difference and left B.C. a better place.
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I am saddened to hear of this and especially agree with G. Barry Stewart and Unionwill. I agree Norm….not only would such a tribute show appreciation for validation given to points made by so many knowledgeable commenters, it would truly uphold the CAJ Code of Ethics should said student continue as a professional ….and hopefully become one of the most coveted awards one could receive in a journalism career. It would have to be for an upcoming journalist as many of our present ones would not qualify. Thanks for making it about right or wrong Merv….that revolved around facts….facts that took effort to present. If facts were not the way to present an issue, you could do it by way of social commentary that was pretty much impossible to refute. ….or our long in the tooth press gallery would have. I also think of Ian and Mary…one pro and one regular folk….all for the good of this great province and the people in it….no speaking engagement fees to be had.
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I can’t add anything to to what has been posted, except I will miss Merv. Norm, thank you for posting.
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I do agree, indeed, Norm. Merv was a selfless, marvelous man, who deeply cared about this province and its people. In our many conversations and exchanges I was enouraged by his kindness and knowledge. He understood (and lamented) the great poverty of journalism in this province (that so painfully remains) and the now obvious conspiracy of how the BC Liberals utterly corrupt machine matched the avariciousness of media moguls that put their bottom line far above the public’s right to know. In fact, the latter didn’t matter to either; it hasn’t for at least sixteen years. However, it sure did to Merv. The profundity of his thoughts on new media have proved themselves time and again, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. His helmsmanship on key stories in this province equalled his great courage in seeing them through. Premier Horgan’s acknowledgement of Merv is an appropriate, elegant and thoughtful touch by an equally decent and caring man. Merv earned every bit of the accolades he’s receiving in his journey Home. I am blessed that our lives touched. May God keep his soul rested and at peace.
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Thanks Alex. I know your writing was followed closely by Merv and it inspired his work.
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That’s far too kind. He was always extremely supportive. I wish you well, as always. Merv was such a stand-up guy; this is a fitting tribute. Yours is one of the few BC online media sites that I follow; one of the few worth following. Take care, my friend. Continued success.
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I second the bursary idea. Now let’s all vote, by offering our $ when/if the fund is set up.
As you say, Norm, I’m sure Merv would have appreciated Horgan’s words. What’s encouraging to me is that today, a BC political blogger has been acknowledged by a political leader. The craft has risen from Vaughn Palmer’s phrase of “Nincompoops ranting in their underpants,” thanks to the quality of writing and research done by people like Merv Adey.
Farewell, good sir.
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Good point Barry. Merv’s stuff was always well written and researched. Crickets, though, from BC’s MSM on his passing which is sad as it speaks volumes of what they think of average folks like Merv speaking out and trying to make BC a better place.
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Merv covered Nick’s story from early on and was a source of knowledge and support for my education into #bcpoli. I felt like we knew each other, even though we never had the chance to meet face to face. RIP Merv. You made me feel like a friend. I agree as well Norm. Bursary or award in that field would be an awesome way to remember Merv. Let me know if I can help in any way.
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I completely agree Norm! A bursary or an award to a journalism student would completely appropriate. A great idea!
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