A matter of democracy

It seems to me there are clear parallels when looking at Kelowna's proposed tourist centre, West Kelowna's proposed city hall, and proposed changes to Penticton's Skaha Lake Park.  

Our civic governments invariably fail to properly consult the public about these large projects.  Once the public makes their wishes known loud and clear, they're still ignored as far as governments can possibly push it. 

When the noise is truly crushing or opponents hire legal representation, new options might appear as if by magic long after the developer's favourite has been promoted, if not approved, by mayors and councils.

Such is not the case in Kelowna.  Tourism Kelowna has flapped its wings about having faithfully responded to public concerns over plunking this commercial centre on the public waterfront, yet it's still envisioned to be plunked on the waterfront, apparently to the satisfaction of Colin Basran and his councillors.

At this point we should take a trip down memory lane.  During the 2014 municipal election, at public forum after public forum, citizens lined up at the mic to express their deep anger and frustration over being ignored. 

Neighbourhood associations were regularly left out in the cold, they said.  Letters to mayor and council went unanswered. 

The Alternative Approval Process was roundly criticized for being a fundamentally undemocratic mechanism nearly guaranteed to result in project approvals.  (According to a B.C. government survey, between 2008 and 2011, electors were unable to defeat AAP proposals 80 per cent of the time.) 

What was the reply from those candidates on the stage?  Open ears and open doors were pledged.  Without skipping a beat, all candidates supported the AAP.  More disturbing than that, numerous candidates believed that with election to office came absolute decision-making. 

“It’s your job to elect those who will make the decisions,” said Charlie Hodge.  “It’s our job to make them.” 

“Trust the experience we bring,” said Tracy Gray, “we’ll make the tough decisions.” 

“We’ll do the heavy lifting,” said Ryan Donn.

Off-stage, Colin Basran sought to give me his personal email address.  The address listed at the city’s website, [email protected], was one he never checked, he said.

They didn’t get it then, and they still don’t get it.  Basran won more votes than any other candidate in 2014, yet only 17 per cent of eligible voters voted for him.  This city belongs to the people, its streets belong to the people – including the homeless – and its waterfront belongs to the people, not to a barely supported Basran, his councillors and his business friends.

The people want not only to be heard, but they want democratic involvement in decision-making.  As in Penticton, they especially want their views on public parkland – the jewels of any city – to be observed and respected.

Mayors and councillors come and go, come and go.  Once parkland is gone, it’s gone forever. 

Dianne Varga