Editor:
I enquired to the powers that be at White Rock City Hall why the Official Community Plan Working Group (Criticisms over OCP panelists, Oct. 2, 2015) was not even remotely attempting to honour its terms of reference regarding transparency and public engagement.
Its meetings are not open to the public and there is no public notice, agenda or minutes.
I was quoted the following by director of planning Karen Cooper, who set up the group: “The OCP review working group is not required to post notices, hold open meetings, maintain minutes or quorum and is not required to have rules of procedure under the statute and procedure bylaw.”
But on the city’s own website, it states as some of the terms of reference of this group:
• promoting transparency and public participation in the OCP review process; and
• engaging, promoting, and educating other affected people/groups (about the) review process and relevant planning issues.
It seems to have a great influence on the process, being called “a high-level sounding board for the process” and providing advice to city staff on “all aspects of the OCP review process, and primarily on the development of the Official Community Plan.”
Its mantra is “to engage as many stakeholders as possible, and to maintain a high degree of transparency and accountability in the OCP review process…”
But, in actual fact, there is no transparency, no public engagement or involvement outside itself. It’s more like a ‘good old boys’ club.
Here’s the kicker from the director of planning: “Through this consultation and reporting process, transparency will be achieved.”
It reminds one of the Ronald Reagan school of economic thought and his bonzo trickle-down theory– give the dog a bone of sharing civic wealth, or in this case transparency and engagement, to the masses.
In other words, we will filter the truth to shape it as we see fit to conform to our agenda hidden or otherwise, and then present it and see if the residents will buy it. If they don’t – we’ll push it through anyway.
Garry Wolgemuth, White Rock