Our Glendenning Road parking ban campaign was built around the important principles of openness, transparency, public-inclusive, respectfulness, etc.
At the Nov. 16 council discussion/debate of the issue, they referred the issue to staff for a report. It was only afterwards that I realized that the motion had been silent with respect to the kind of process that would/should be followed leading up to the preparation of the report.
I became concerned that this process would become much the same as before: analyzed, assessed, evaluated and written behind closed doors; open to those with established connections; closed to park visitors and other Saanich residents; and presented as a fait accompli to council and residents
Needless to say, such a process would entirely contravene the district’s own public participation policy. Although I’m starting to understand that any policy without an underlying culture is simply an empty piece of paper.
I just wrote to ask council to ask them not to let this issue drift back to “business as usual”. I said let’s do this differently; let’s do it in accordance with the public participation policy.
During the process, rent the hall at Garth Homer, send out a general invitation to the public, and let’s brainstorm ideas/thoughts/concerns back and forth.
This way will permit everyone to have a voice in the decision-making process, and to be satisfied at the end of the day that, whatever the outcome, council discharged its duty and responsibility to represent the best interests of all Saanich residents, in a fair and open manner.
If you agree, let your opinion be know by writing the mayor and council at: mayor@saanich.ca or council@saanich.ca. At the same time, drop a letter along to letters to the editor at: editor@saanich.com. We need your help to ensure the district undertakes a proper public participation policy process to reach its decision with respect to this matter.
Dave Poje
Saanich