Re: ‘Concerns raised over Qualicum Beach growth containment boundary at hearing’ (PQB News, Jan. 15)
Why were the views of the town’s residents not mentioned in this news article about the RDN public hearing?
Without their voices this report reads simply as a defence of the QB town council’s boundary change proposal to go it alone. The only people quoted are the QB town planner, a former councillor and mayor (now an RDN director).
Yet, as the RDN chair commented, approximately 30 oral presentations were made as well as written submissions. They provided convincing evidence that the town’s boundary change recommendation is a major and not, as proposed, a minor amendment.
The town’s is contrary to the RDN’s mandate and provincial legislation. This was pointed out by many who spoke, and backed by legal opinion. Yet no mention of these views in the article nor of threats posed to the QB environment with climate change upon us.
The safeguarding of local democracy requires our local newspaper to report the people’s voices. All opinions need to be heard. After all this was a public hearing designed to take account of our legitimate concerns. We need our local Fourth Estateto promote, not limit, public debate.
Graham Riches
Qualicum Beach