To the editor:
Council approved the wind farm project. This is another example of a council in its dying days trying to ram through super projects.
I have spoken to so many people and they are more and more concerned about the value they are getting for their extremely high residential taxes. Before we embark on such projects in the future, there should be a transparent debate process.
This means no more meeting for hours behind closed doors unless it pertains to a confidential legal issue.
Public consultation and input is at the heart of democracy. When an election is in progress, issues that affect the taxpayers to this extent should be held until after the election.
The reason is simple. If the old council is re-elected then their mandate is clear. If it is not, then the public has also spoken.
On future super projects, town hall meetings or perhaps the ultimate exercise of democracy - a plebiscite - is appropriate.
It was clear the wind farm was part of the election issues facing the public. I take the position that a vote at this time was not responsible.
Council approved the wind farm project. This is another example of a council in its dying days trying to ram through super projects.
I have spoken to so many people and they are more and more concerned about the value they are getting for their extremely high residential taxes. Before we embark on such projects in the future, there should be a transparent debate process.
This means no more meeting for hours behind closed doors unless it pertains to a confidential legal issue.
Public consultation and input is at the heart of democracy. When an election is in progress, issues that affect the taxpayers to this extent should be held until after the election.
The reason is simple. If the old council is re-elected then their mandate is clear. If it is not, then the public has also spoken.
On future super projects, town hall meetings or perhaps the ultimate exercise of democracy - a plebiscite - is appropriate.
It was clear the wind farm was part of the election issues facing the public. I take the position that a vote at this time was not responsible.
Christopher Watkins,
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
