Democracy in action throughout the process
Re: “Democracy is missing in Langford decisions,” letter, April 15.
It is ironic that this letter-writer feels that a recent recommendation of Langford’s Planning Zoning and Affordable Housing Committee does not represent democracy in action, while she overlooks the democratic decisions that led to this rezoning application in the first place.
The properties that were discussed by the committee on April 12 have been designated for multi-family residential development in Langford’s Official Community Plan since 1996.
That plan was devised with a great deal of public input and duly reviewed publicly and adopted through a democratic process by a democratically elected council.
The land use that is being proposed was also supported by a 1999 amendment to the Official Community Plan that specifically looked at downtown revitalization and was again supported in 2008 when the City of Langford adopted its new Official Community Plan.
In 2018, and again after open public consultation, Dr. Avi Friedman of McGill University prepared for Langford a three-volume Vision for Downtown Langford which was incorporated, in part, into the Official Community Plan in 2019.
Each of these decisions were made by democratically elected officials following public consultation and a process laid out in the Local Government Act.
The Capital Regional District’s two Regional Growth Strategies (2002 and 2018) support the Langford Official Community Plan, and were duly considered and adopted by democratically elected individuals.
A bit of a deeper understanding of the democratic process would perhaps have illuminated why the committee made the recommendation that it did.
The assertion that there was “no notification of nearby residents” is misleading and factually incorrect.
The City of Langford provides notice to owners and occupants within 100 metres of a property being considered for rezoning.
Despite the fact there is no requirement to provide such notice in advance of a Planning Zoning and Affordable Housing Committee meeting, the city provides this notice to those residents within 100 metres of the boundaries of the affected property.
In addition, Langford makes every effort to ensure that the notices are received in a timely manner by sending them out in advance of the legislated 10-day requirement. Notices were sent for this application.
Denise Blackwell
Chair, Planning Zoning and Affordable Housing Committee
City of Langford
It’s about time we had a lockdown
I have been a supporter of the New Democrats and public health officials until recently.
The new lockdown should have happened a month ago or more. Now those of us who have for a long time been wearing masks, washing hands, keeping distance and staying home will suffer because of those from B.C. or other places who have not followed proper procedures.
They should have been clamped down by public health, with government support, a long time ago.
Eric Jones
Victoria
Travel restrictions do not make much sense
Our son lives 100 metres from Central Park in Burnaby, where he walks his dog every day. Central Park is in the Fraser Health Authority — but his apartment is across Boundary Road in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
With the new travel restrictions, he could be fined for walking 100 metres but is allowed to drive 130 kilometres to the COVID-19 hotspot of Whistler, because it is also in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
How does this make any sense?
Alan Humphries
Victoria
Travel in an RV makes the most sense
Just got back to Victoria from Terrace with my RV travel trailer.
Did not stay in hotels there or along the way. Cooked, slept, showered, relaxed, all inside the RV.
An inspection of our house up there revealed a major issue that required immediate attention. I was there for three weeks and remained further distanced from people than when I’m in Victoria.
Because RVing makes social distancing so easy, perhaps B.C. Ferries should be allowing only RVs on its vessels, rather than the opposite.
Mark Henry
Victoria
No personal attacks, debate the issues
Re: “Hey, Gwyn Morgan, run for public office,” letter, April 20.
In suggesting that Gwyn Morgan “run for public office,” the letter-writer has chosen to attack the man, rather than debate the issues Morgan raised.
This approach only lends credence to Morgan’s previous opinion piece, which cited facts that were clearly unpleasant for some people to read.
Perhaps a critic could offer evidence that Morgan’s analysis is incorrect, rather than indulge in a personal attack.
David Morrow
James Bay
Celebrate, collaborate and clip this letter
While walking along Dallas Road this past weekend I really came to appreciate all the reasons I moved to Victoria more than five years ago. The weather, the views, and most of all, the people.
Aside from all that is going on in our lives, I saw people enjoying themselves, greeting each other and wishing each other good health and a wonderful day.
All the things that sometimes divide us seemed to be put on the back burner, allowing us to focus on all the things that are good in the world.
If we could focus on each other, I think all that divides us will give us cause to celebrate and collaborate.
It was summed up by a friend in a socially distanced visit: “Love your neighbour more than your opinion.” Words of wisdom in a complicated world.
Rion Vermeulen
Victoria
If all else fails, Jack, turn off the ringer
Re: “Want some advice, Jack? Just put the phone down,” letter, April 20.
I am mystified when people don’t get Jack Knox’s columns … he is a humourist, and his columns often poke fun at a situation by taking it to the extreme.
I live in the Otter Point area, which will be getting the new cell service and I’m looking forward to that, even though I am not enamoured of cellphones in general. However, for emergency and safety reasons, I appreciate that this is a long-overdue and vital move.
I loved the laugh, Jack, and we will miss your escapes to the area … maybe just turn the ringer off?
Doreen Barratt
Otter Point
Maybe the type of dog matters just a bit
Regarding the support for Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin’s decision to bring her dog to the legislature, I wonder if the tolerance would have extended to a photo op with a pit bull, Rottweiler or Cane Corso?
Shannon Moneo
Sooke
Extinction Rebellion is trying to hasten the end
How on Earth does a mass protest march from Vancouver constitute “essential” travel?
At a time when coronavirus infections are at a high in the Lower Mainland, these self-appointed critics of climate policy seek to share their potential infections with an unsuspecting public in Victoria.
Before COVID-19 carnage was upon us, we kept hearing the phrase “climate emergency” flung about to justify all manner of short-sighted disruptive actions, but this really takes the cake.
Where are Dr. Bonnie Henry and Premier John Horgan on this? If there is some reason to conclude that climate disaster is imminent (and the modelling has been woefully wrong thus far) why make matters worse by potentially increasing a real and present danger such as COVID?
Seems the Extinction Rebellion folks are disappointed with the speed of the so-called climate extinction they feel is happening and have chosen to endanger us with COVID to help move things along.
A.F. Carlson
Saanich
More transparency about COVID-19, please
We in B.C. have demonstrated our willingness to comply quickly and gracefully when regulations around COVID-19 change. But, we need greater transparency from the provincial government about why regulations change.
The AstraZeneca vaccine has been suspended due to concerns about fatal blood clots. Yet, we read in the international news that the causality between the vaccine and the blood clots has not been determined. Other countries such as Britain have resumed the rollout of AstraZeneca believing that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks. So why is Canada hesitating?
We are told there is a sudden spike in cases on Vancouver Island, but we are not told in any detail where these new cases are. Why not?
We hear that people are not turning up for their appointments and, consequently, the vaccine rollout is not that efficient, despite all the time B.C. had to prepare. So let’s fix it! We need to know what is happening. We will not panic, but we will increase our vigilance.
The Australian think-tank the Lowy Institute has assessed the COVID-19 responses of 98 countries.
Sad but true, Canada ranked badly, standing at 61 out of 100. Cold comfort that our underperformance was better than the United Kingdom (66), Russia (76), the United States (94).
We can do better, but need to be better informed if we are to play our part.
Rosalind Coleman
Brentwood Bay
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