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Post by John Zeger on Dec 2, 2005 13:03:57 GMT -5
Kelowna city council has done it again. They've made a back-room decision that is controversial and unpopular without consulting the public first. I'm talking about the new housing project for addicts and the mentally ill to be located on St. Paul Street. And the announcement came shortly after the election to spare the incumbents on council the public's wrath at the polls . But things like this don't bother councillors like Barrie Clark who thinks that he governs by divine right. Even CKOV's John Michaels, a mindless defender of the incumbents on council, seemed at a loss to explain the behaviour of his buddies. No doubt he will find a way to still support them while putting down council's critics and trying to make himself look like less than the fool he is.
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Post by John Zeger on Dec 10, 2005 11:34:57 GMT -5
As there is merit to both the need for this project and the location chosen, the proper thing for city council to do at this point is to advance the matter to a public hearing which is not legally required but which should be held anyway in order to give all concerned parties an opportunity to fully voice their concerns. However, there is no need for a lengthy three to six month moratorium as some have been suggesting. It is regrettable that Walter Gray's council did not have the sense to consult the community on this project before the decision regarding the location was made but a good argument can still be made that the project should proceed. It is interesting to note that the most prominent objector to this project is Mel Kotler who is part of the development group that wants to put a 12 storey highrise at the corner of Ellis and Doyle. All the fuss that he is raising is primarily to protect the value of his land with the hopes that he will be able to reap large profits from it.
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