Saanich isn't listening to its citizens
Re: "Shark fins, oil and pot: oh my" April 5-11
The Mayor's comment about not having heard anyone in Central Saanich ask for a ban on shark fins begs the question, "Would he and council act if they did hear citizens asking for a shark fin ban?" The answer of course is "no" and a good example is the public hearing process where citizens routinely make their case and are ignored. The public hearing process has become a piece of tricksterism as hearings are often called when citizens have made it clear they don't want an issue to go any further. Calling for a hearing is just the thin edge of the wedge to open the door for developers, but it's conveniently disguised as "listening to the public." At a recent public hearing into big box stores in the Keating Industrial area, there were 19 speakers against, 1 for and 2 just giving information. So will council vote against this misuse of our industrial zone as the citizens have clearly requested? We will see.
Sue Stroud, Brentwood Bay