Mayor’s Meeting March 11, 2020

Thank you for this opportunity to speak on something that is deeply troubling to me. I have brought it up before but felt the response was canned rather than a response to my specific concerns.
My topic is
The inherent requirement of transparency for good governance in a democracy.
Why is transparency in government so important in a democracy?

• When government officials are not transparent, they can avoid being held accountable to their public. 
• They can make self-serving decisions and keep hiding their hidden agendas.
• You may protest that all your decisions are fair and just and in the interest of most citizens now and into the future. 
• The problem I have as a citizen; I have no proof and much of the observable actions I see have ignored the fervent input of your citizen, leaving me in a position of doubt and distrust. 

Ignoring Citizen Input

• I will go back to the decision the council made to hire out to the RDN, the pick up of our waste. 
  • In the public survey citizens adamantly said no to that suggestion and even said they would tolerate raised taxes. 
  • This was ignored with promises there would be no increase in cost of service when the council passed these services over to the RDN.
  • Now we have increased cost of service in the need to purchase large containers, which we don’t know where to store, and we all have the old plastic containers to dispose of. I think we will grow potatoes in ours.
• Recently the promise for a group to walk the new landing strip trail that has been clear cut. 
  • The next day the trees were gone
  • Herons nesting nearby are compromised since the disruption
  • Although I have been told the town of Qualicum Beach has taken credit for finding and safeguarding these exquisite birds on your FB page, I can’t check as I don’t use FB. 
    • I hope such a manipulative massaging of your actions has not occurred.
  • The very serious legal difficulties of disturbing the heron nests at provincial level indicates one of the many reasons our council doing things in secrecy is bad for our community.
  • Many citizens knew of these nests and could have advised you. 
  • No need for a landing strip just a trail
  • There was already a trail on the other side of the road, which perhaps you did not know about. 
• You have a community that is actively working to mitigate and to create resilience against climate change.
  • Deals made in the dark like the RR development deal is an example of you ignoring citizens concerns about trees, groundwater retention, wetlands, wildlife, and citizen social and emotional health from nature etc. 
  • Build your affordable housing in East Village or on the tennis courts which I believe are being re-located. 
  • Distribute affordable housing throughout the town 
  • Don’t clear cut mature trees as it is unnecessary. 
  • There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

I ask myself why does our council need to hide its discussions and decisions from its citizens?

• Well, I know local officials have greater vested interests based on family, friendship and business ties, that can influence their decision making, in ways out of step with what the public wants.
• There is a close alliance between lack of transparency and corruption.
• When transparency, accountability and integrity are put at the heart of local governance systems, the risks of corruption is reduced. 

Nanaimo and Parksville are both opening their in-camera meetings

• Nanaimo’s in-camera meeting information is released on a monthly basis once “confidentiality obligations” are no longer applicable
  • From our QB council, I want to know the discussions and who voted how on issues of relevance to our whole town like land decisions.
  • Nanaimo councillors acknowledge the need for openness and transparency
• I checked the videos of campaign promises from the Civic Center. 
  • Everyone of our council members promised transparency and cooperation.
• I would like to see that happen. 
• I would like to be able to have confidence in our council to have practices of good governance including transparency 

I have not heard a logical explanation why the minutes, not a summary of topics, but the minutes of a meeting cannot be released, once the need for secrecy has passed. Items like land deals and appointments to committees. I want to know the discussions, and how each councillor voted. It will help shape how I vote in the next election. I like my vote to be informed.
This town is full of knowledge, experience and skills in our engaged citizens, who have come from all over Canada from every known occupation. Use this wealth of knowledge by allowing them to be informed and involved in real ways with council to build a better town and keep the reasons we all came and stayed.

FACT SHEET:  The ‘Park” Lot 23 – West Ridge Way – Qualicum Beach  02/08/20​

A Notice to Electors of Bylaw 741 was published January 7th describing a small park land exchange in the 49 home West Ridge subdivision of Qualicum Beach, at Laburnum and Claymore Roads. In fact, the infinitely small (10 M2) land exchange is incidental to the bylaw’s true purpose, which is to sub-divide a lot previously designated for park in West Ridge and to create two new residential building lots to sell. The 10 M2 triangle of land slated for exchange is an obstacle to the proposed street frontage for one of these lots.

• The development concept plan for West Ridge presented to the Planning Advisory Committee in April 2012 included specific designated park areas.
  
• Developer presentations made to Council in May 2012 included supporting documentation and drawings describing the development and identified 3 park parcels. 
  
• QB Council approved and passed the re-zoning bylaw in July of 2012, enabling residential subdivision, but did not zone all the originally proposed park areas as park land as was planned.
  
• In July 2012, Town Planning staff advised the developer that park designation was required as a condition of final approval of the plan. Only 2 of 3 parcels were subsequently designated, excluding the largest 3rd parcel, present Lot 23, with no explanation for the alteration to the development plan
  
• The Developer was assessed development costs of $180,075.00 for the establishment of park areas. 
  
• The exclusive sales marketing Realty agency provided purchasers maps of lot layouts indicating greenspace and purchasers believed the parks to be a feature.
  
•  A planting and an irrigation system was completed on all park lands in accordance to the 2012 Landscape Plan including Lot 23 now the subject of Bylaw 741.
  
• Parks & Recreation crews have annually maintained all the landscaped areas.
  
• Only since the Notice of Bylaw 741 in January 2020, did the West Ridge owners learn that the lot (Lot 23) was not designated park, as required in it’s 2012 development approval and remained zoned a residential lot.
  

Regardless of whether the Town assigned a park designation to Lot 23 or not it was by all intentions deemed by all parties including the Town to be park until January 2020. It continues to be used by residents of West Ridge and Qualicum Beach Elementary School children as a park. The Town, through its Mayor and Council, should complete the process and designate the entire area through Bylaw as park and not proceed with this exchange.

The Process: AAP – Alternative Approval Process

Initially called a “Counter-Petition Process” and now “Alternate Approval Process”, eligible electors in the town are assumed to be in support of a bylaw unless a 10% threshold of electors submit formal ‘Electoral Response Forms’ objecting to its passing. This practice is being discontinued in many jurisdictions as it can be and is often mis-used to advance passage of bylaws under the radar of citizens most directly impacted by a bylaw. Bylaw 741 has the most impact on the 98 residents of the West Ridge subdivision, yet 801 of the entire 8000 Qualicum Residents are required to overturn the bylaw. This is fundamentally unfair and is a practice the Town can and intends to use for similar land exchanges and ultimately the sale of properties they wish to dispose of and benefit from.

We received this email from Joanne Sales and thought it important enough to share with you.

HI Friends.  Here is the link to the BC government Old Growth Forest Questionnaire. 
https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/747451?lang=en
 
1.  Below, you will find a list of the questions in the questionnaire.  
2.  Below that are some ideas of what you might want to include in your answer.
YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT:  As of Nov 8, only 1O53 people filled out the questionnaire.  The survey was even discussed on CBC.  It’s important and you are important.  The Old Growth Forests are REALLY important.  
 
https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/747451?lang=en
Subject: Re:  Rare opportunity to protect even rarer forests
Old Growth Forest Questionnaire 

On July 17, 2019, the Government of British Columbia announced that a two-person panel had been appointed to lead an Old Growth Strategic Review and provide a report to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
Garry Merkel, a professional forester, natural resource expert, and member of the Tahltan Nation, and Al Gorley, a professional forester and former chair of the Forest Practices Board, will engage the public to hear perspectives on the ecological, economic and cultural importance of old-growth trees and forests. They will report back to government in spring 2020 with recommendations that are expected to inform a new approach to old-growth management for British Columbia.
In addition to visiting communities, the panel is providing an opportunity for the public, organizations and professionals to share their thoughts on old-growth in B.C.  The ways to participate are:
1.      Complete the online questionnaire.
2.      Organizations, professionals, and other interested parties may submit a written submission. Read the Guidelines for Written Submissions.
3.      Send an email to oldgrowthbc@gov.bc.ca
Feedback is open until January 31, 2020 at 4 p.m.
https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/747451?lang=en
 
Below:  A copy of the Old Growth Forest Questionnaire so you can see how easy it will be.  Below That:  A devoted forest protector/friend filled out possible answers to stimulate your thinking.
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Old Growth Forest Questionnaire
1.  What does the term “old growth” mean to you?
2.  What are the three main reason you feel old growth forests are important?
Choices:  They contain rare of big trees.  They support biodiversity.  They provide habitat for wildlife and fish. They support traditional spiritual and cultural uses.  They generate tourism and can be used for recreation.  They provide economic benefits for timber harvesting.  They regulate water storage and flow.  They store carbon to mitigate climate change.
 
3. How important is it to weigh environmental, social, cultural, and economic interests together when managing old growth?
 
4. What do you consider to be the THREE greatest risk(s) to old growth? 
 
5. How important do you feel the following plans, policies and practices are in MANAGING old growth in British Columbia?
 
6. Are there any other plans, policies or practices you feel are important but that are not mentioned here? Please provide any thoughts.
 
7. Other than the provincial government and First Nations, who do you feel should be actively involved with decision making about the future of old growth forests in British Columbia? 
 
8. Where do you learn about old growth forests and their management?
 
9.  Do you have any further thoughts about old growth management in B.C.? Please tell us more.
END

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Old Growth Forest Questionnaire with ideas for your answers:  Use your own words.

1. What does the term “old growth” mean to you?
Trees more than 250 years old
 2.  What are the three main reason you feel old growth forests are important?
All are important, but the three most important could be:
They support biodiversity.  
They regulate water storage and flow.  
They store carbon to mitigate climate change.
3.  How important is it to weigh environmental, social, cultural, and economic interests together when managing old growth?
There is no life without environment, so environment has to be number 1.  
Economies can and should be rebuilt, but remaining old growth is absolutely irreplaceable.  
4. What do you consider to be the THREE greatest risk(s) to old growth? 
Log exports, clear cut logging, urban sprawl, corporate greed.
5.  How important do you feel the following plans, policies and practices are in MANAGING old growth in British Columbia?
Practices are destructive, plans and policies are inadequate.  
Current plans and policies are inadequate and do little to nothing to protect the forests for the future and for our children.  British Columbia government must do better.   
6.  Are there any other plans, policies or practices you feel are important but that are not mentioned here?  Please provide any thoughts.
We have gone beyond managing Old Growth and need an immediate moratorium on Old Growth harvesting. 
7.  Other than the provincial government and First Nations, who do you feel should be actively involved with decision making about the future of old growth forests in British Columbia?   Climate scientists, ecologists, NGO's
8. Where do you learn about old growth forests and their management?
Internet, news media etc.??
9.  Do you have any further thoughts about old growth management in B.C.?
People come from all over the world to see our forests because there are no other comparable Old Growth Forests in the world. 
Old Growth Forests provide oxygen, plant and animal biodiversity, water purification and water storage.
Old Growth Forests are vital to human life.
There is no longer an opportunity to “manage” Old Growth Forests because there is so little old growth forest left.
An immediate moratorium of harvesting Old Growth Forests must be established until some of our older forests reach 250 years old. Hopefully by then humans will figure out how to harvest forests without destroying entire ecosystems.
 
 
YOU CAN ALSO GET INFORMATION FROM SIERRA CLUB WEBSITE:
https://sierraclub.bc.ca/rainforestisland/?fbclid=IwAR3rpTqqJwMD7ZJcqXk6xQ6QB5SEMErn1WrT9DFlewRoT6u1X0cx9UyS2Jo
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The Annual General Meeting of the Qualicum Beach Residents Association will take place on Saturday, October 26 at 2:00 pm at the East Hall of the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre.  The meeting will be to hear reports, vote on changes to the bylaws and rules, and elect a new board.