A fresh look at how 91原创 Township over planning processes is welcome, but there are some weaknesses in the standing commitee appointed by Mayor Jack Froese.
鈥淩ecent events, such as the proposal of the new Brookswood/Fernridge Community Plan, made it clear that some Township residents last year felt they weren鈥檛 being included or adequately consulted during the planning process,鈥� the mayor said Monday. 鈥淎s a result, some citizens became concerned about any and all development proposed for their community, and expressed apprehension about their ability to be heard during the decision-making process.鈥�
The standing committee includes Froese and two members of council, rookie Councillor Blair Whitmarsh (who lives in Brookswood) and second-term Councillor Michelle Sparrow, who is interested in finding non-traditional ways to engage residents.
It does not include any of the residents who had major concerns with the process last spring. The mayor says they will be able to speak to the committee, and meaningful verbal dialogue is vital. Hearing from people who felt shut out of the process is an extremely useful way to find out where the current system went wrong.
There will be other 鈥渆ngagement鈥� with residents, but its exact nature has not been spelled out. If it is simply via an internet public opinion survey or Twitter, that isn鈥檛 good enough.
The inclusion of Dale Ball, a longtime and well-respected Brookswood resident and business owner, and former North Vancouver City Mayor Barbara Sharp, now a 91原创 resident, helps broaden the committee. Inclusion of 鈥減ublic engagement specialist鈥� Susanna Haas Lyons raises questions, given that public engagement should be a core competency of experienced elected officials.
This committee needs to be prepared to listen to residents, and not just impose a new style of 鈥渆ngagement.鈥�
