Editor:
At the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) infrastructure committee meeting on Feb. 11, in response to Pender Harbour residents advocating for inclusion in the process to determine the future of their landfill, Gibsons director Mayor Barry Janyk told us to evolve. From what and to what he spared us further abuse by not enlightening us.
For Area A residents, it was a reminder how patronizing regional government can be when leadership doesn't take the time and show respect for the district and individual sensibilities of all communities that the SCRD board is mandated to govern.
We, a grassroots, ad hoc committee of concerned people, with 800-plus signatures on a petition in support of our cause, were informed our input wasn't a significant factor in determining the final decision about our landfill.
Additionally, Janyk asserted a more professional survey of area residents was too costly and took up too much paid staff time.
Consequently, this advocate left the meeting thinking the community consultation process initiated in June was a sham, as the decision about the future of our landfill had already been made.
In a time of rampant cynicism about government and politicians, some of us have invested our energy and optimism in local politics. That optimism has been corrupted by the cavalier attitude of a local politician.
Doug Davis
Madeira Park
