Re: Richardson Street redesign continues to hear opposition in Victoria (vicnews.com)

Thanks to Don Descoteau for illuminating yet another case where the City of Victoria solicited public input and then ignored considerable opposition because it wasnB次元官网网址檛 compatible with pre-determined plans. IB次元官网网址檝e repeatedly requested information on what the Richardson Bike Project will do by pushing increased traffic, noise and pollution along the Fairfield Road corridor, which passes several school zones and parks.

The bigger issue is the failure of the cityB次元官网网址檚 public engagement to earn public trust. Serious public engagement provides community members meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making. VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 process has become little more than a device used by the city and proponents to foist their views on the public. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a mistake.

Sound decisions require the city to take seriously its responsibility for an honest, transparent public engagement process and for all of us to listen with respect to people rooted in the community, motivated by the neighbourhoodB次元官网网址檚 long-term best interests. Without genuine public participation our democratic decision-making process becomes a farce. Many people think we are already there and ask whose interests does it serve to discourage public participation or waste peopleB次元官网网址檚 time on a process whose outcome already has been decided.

Michael Bloomfield

Victoria