Post by John Zeger on Jul 20, 2005 7:38:23 GMT -5
I have attended many public hearings in this city almost too many to recount, the latest being the public hearing on the Clifton Road development proposal. One refrain that I always hear from speakers opposing a development plan is "I'm not against development, I'm just against this development here [in my back yard]."
I've heard this little song in the Mission regarding the Sarsons project, in the Cedar Ave. area regarding the proposed waterfront hotel, at the meeting about the proposal on Gordon Dr. between Cameron and Guisachan, at the hearing for the Vintage Landing proposal at McKinley Landing, and elsewhere. I'm just wondering how long it will take for those who are concerned only about the development taking place in their own backyard to realize that they have something in common with others elsewhere in the city who have similar concerns. I'm also wondering how long it will take before the NIMBYs throughout Kelowna will realize that they all have something in common, that everyone's backyard is being assaulted with unwelcome development that is threatening the character of their neighbourhoods. I just wonder how long will it take for all these self-centered NIMBYs to unite and shed their NIMBY attitude and realize that we a community and what affects one neighbourhood affects all of us. Maybe at that time there will actually be some change in this city. Maybe then the planners and politicians here will no longer be able to run roughshod over everyone using the strategy of divide and conquer.
I've heard this little song in the Mission regarding the Sarsons project, in the Cedar Ave. area regarding the proposed waterfront hotel, at the meeting about the proposal on Gordon Dr. between Cameron and Guisachan, at the hearing for the Vintage Landing proposal at McKinley Landing, and elsewhere. I'm just wondering how long it will take for those who are concerned only about the development taking place in their own backyard to realize that they have something in common with others elsewhere in the city who have similar concerns. I'm also wondering how long it will take before the NIMBYs throughout Kelowna will realize that they all have something in common, that everyone's backyard is being assaulted with unwelcome development that is threatening the character of their neighbourhoods. I just wonder how long will it take for all these self-centered NIMBYs to unite and shed their NIMBY attitude and realize that we a community and what affects one neighbourhood affects all of us. Maybe at that time there will actually be some change in this city. Maybe then the planners and politicians here will no longer be able to run roughshod over everyone using the strategy of divide and conquer.