Public Frustrated at the CVRD Board Meeting
I attended the Board meeting today (February 27, 2019) in the hope of providing public input re the rezoning application along the Estuary.
I and many others were prepared to speak both for and against the approval of this application. After only a few speakers we were cut off at the end of the allotted 15 minutes.
Perhaps setting aside a total of 15 minutes for public input at such a meeting is standard practice. But it could easily have been extended in advance as this is clearly a hot topic issue, and the Board could have anticipated, and even welcomed, more broad public input. Instead, a vote to extend for an additional 15 minutes out of respect for the long line standing behind the podium was defeated by just one board member! If this is the process, it should be revised!
The manner in which this transpired risks giving the impression that public input can be stifled, even if a majority of the Board is open to it. This leaves suspicious minds to wonder how seriously the Board takes public input, and how valuable this input is seen to be.
I hope it is clear to the Board of Directors that there are many members of the public who wish to be heard prior to the Board voting on this request for rezoning. It’s not too much to ask that we give democracy a chance in our precious community, and that each of us is given sufficient opportunity and time to be heard.
Joe Solanto
Cowichan Bay