An open letter to Surrey council.
Re: Newton casino in talks to move south, May 31; Casino shuffle splits businesses’ views, June 26; Cloverdale calmed over casino, July 19.
The fait accompli is almost certain.
In 2010 you had hearings.
Hearings that no one in the area that I have talked to was invited to.
How many people attended?
Who was invited?
What addresses were the invitations sent to?
You have had three votes already without really consulting the citizens of Surrey that live in the area.
One more vote and you seal the fait accompli.
Is that how you want to be remembered when you leave office?
To the new council members, I ask you this: does it sound like it is a fair above-board process being used?
Take a drive down to the area. Knock on some doors in the 800-1200 blocks of the King George Boulevard of broken dreams before you vote.
See what the people tell you when you ask them if they were invited to hearings and public open houses.
Get the facts right and make an informed decision on the whole process. It is not too late to stop what you are about to let happen.
Make the right choice – vote no.
Your planning department says there will be more public hearings even if you say yes; but if you say yes, there will be no stopping this sinking ship.
It will only be fait accompli because the BC Lottery Commission wants it, so they are going to pull the wool over every one’s eyes to get it.
Michael John Balderson, Surrey