"Last month, behind closed doors,
Citizens have a right to protest. But they can't do so when officials withhold the very information that would lead residents to rally."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Politicians make too many decisions in secret!
New Westminster gets mentioned in this article in today's Sun.
"Last month, behind closed doors,New Westminster city officials discussed building a school at Grimston Park
"Last month, behind closed doors,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
It would be nice if NW was mentioned in the daily press (Sun/Province) or even the national press (Macleans) for some things we could actually be proud about.
Well now that Casey Cook is on the school board, I'm sure we can look forward to there being absolutely no such thing as "in camera" meetings, as he has always been very open and accountable and transparent. Not too mention consistent. Ooops. Forgot about being opposed to DCC's and now screaming from the rafters that they're not high enough. Or what about his open and accountable transparency on the budgeting process when he was on city council?
I don't normally respond to anonymous comments, but I have to correct the inaccuracies here.
First, when I opposed DCC's we were getting little in the way of interest in development. The only city in the province that was showing any growth was Vancouver.
Also, there was a real question as to what DCC.s could legally be charged for. The reality is, and anonymous can check the record, that I made the motion to have Amenity Charges, and by agreement, seconded the motion to charge DCCs. I stated at the time that they were introduced, that both were too low, and should be modified immediately.
It is strange that taking a strong stance has now become "shouting from the rafters"
Second, I objected on many occasions, to items being 'in camera'. On three occasions I left the room because things were inappropriately 'in camera'. My only option left open as a form of dissent was to leave the room.
As to the budget being 'in camera' or out, we acted on the advice of legal council. I would have loved to have things out in the open, it would have exposed those who were constantly fighting for money for organizations that they were involved with.
Anonymous, have the courage of your conviction and let people know who you are. You come across as an obsequious lap dog, spouting off the party line.
Of course there will be 'in camera' meetings.
It is appropriate for legal, personnel and property to be 'in camera'. To put your mind at ease, I and Trustees of like mind will do everything we can to stop the practice of going 'in camera' merely because it is more convenient.
I'd like to know why the waterfront purchase was a deep dark secret in New Westminster when the plan was already known to people around the lower mainland for several months prior to being reported on locally. Who let the cat out of the bag?
Post a Comment