A Letter to Council about the Beach

I sent a letter to the City and Council about Canal Beach this morning urging them to pursue a public input process before making any more decisions about the Plywood site.  It is at the bottom of this post.

I personally believe it is long past time for the City to have a full service waterfront beach park.  Also, if it remains industrial, there is no requirement to clean up the toxic mess that is known to exist under the soil.  That said, there are arguments to be made around potential industrial job creation and those must be investigated fully.  There is a good editorial about it in todays AV Times.

No matter what you believe should be done with the property, if you believe a full airing of this issue by the City should happen before any further commitments or leases are signed, I strongly encourage you to send a letter to the local papers or to the City.

In my letter I mention a petition (available at Steam Punk Cafe) and polls that have been circulating in the community.  Here are current polls (including the one here on this website) as I’ve seen them around the inter webs this morning.. none are scientific or should be used to decide anything but it’s always worth expressing your opinion: (Click the images to be taken to the polls)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________

Mayor Port Alberni <john_douglas@portalberni.ca>
Davina Hartwell <davina_hartwell@portalberni.ca>
Ken Watson <ken_watson@portalberni.ca>
Jack McLeman <jmcln@shaw.ca>
Cindy Solda <cindysolda@me.com>
Wendy Lee Kerr <info@wendykerr.ca>
Dan washington <dwashington@alberniengineering.com>
Rob Cole <rob@islandtimebt.com>
Hira Chopra <bluebirdmotel@shaw.ca>
Susan Quinn <editor@albernivalleynews.com>
Letters AV Times <news@avtimes.net>
___________

Dear Mayor, City Councillors and Staff,

Given that:
– there has been intense public interest in the use of the City owned former Plywood site generated since Lot C’s conversion to a beach (demonstrated by events, formal and informal petitions and polls and a recent public information session).
– there are significant long term social, economic and environmental implications for the future of land use on the waterfront within City Limits.
– there is no extended public input process currently required or planned before leases are approved for Lots A or B.

I respectfully request that the City undertake an extended and expanded public input process including but not limited to public hearings and/or public information sessions to determine what should be done with Lots A and B before any leases or other uses are approved by City Council.

Sincerely,

Chris Alemany