Show up and support the democratic process
In last week’s Castlegar News, the editor, Betsy Kline made some pointed comments about citizen participation in council meetings and other singular meetings that deal with topics such as the city’s annual budget, taxation, airport and road maintenance, or specific issues raised in a particular neighbourhood.
Her observations over the years have been that citizens don’t always show up for the important stuff that city council is reporting on, or issues that they’re providing updates on, issues that citizens have typically brought to their attention.
After I read her column I thought, yes, she “hit the nail on the head” about community participation and what works to bring an issue forward to city council. At a Meeting of the Whole on Monday, May 15, city council chambers were packed with standing-room only as the issue to be addressed was the need for seniors housing in Castlegar.
It was a display of civic democracy at its best. We were not intimidated at the door or prevented from entering to hear what the speaker had to say. No one raised a gun or caused a riot. We met in a time-honoured fashion that has its roots in Greece over 2,500 years ago. The process has been honed and tweaked since then, but we are privileged to be able to assemble and speak to our council without threat.
The subject was presented, the citizens listened, and so did the mayor and council and for that reason alone I’m grateful we live in a civil democracy. We can speak our mind and be heard. So, thank you Betsy for pointing out that we need to participate to be heard. We need to show up and continue to support our very healthy democratic process.
Leni Normington, Citizen
Castlegar, B.C.
Ideas for senior’s housing
My thought for affordable housing in Castlegar reflects a seniors’ residence where my mother lived, owned by the City of Guelph and operated on a not-for-profit basis. My mother lived in a studio apartment, but the residence has a range of living options depending on residents’ needs. Because of the residence’s design, its focus on people not profit, and strict health protocols, no resident died from COVID.
Imagine a building on the Pioneer Arena site, owned by the City, between the arena and Columbia Avenue. The building would have a wedge-shaped floor plan, a flatiron building, with the point of the wedge facing south. It would be seven stories with underground parking; incorporate locally sourced, sustainable materials; be designed by local architects; be constructed by local unionized trades, and meet Passive House standards. The south end would be glass for passive solar heating with a two-story tall atrium on the ground-level, abundant natural light, a small stage, indoor greenery, a place where friends gather year round.
It would have commercial units on the ground-level. The second and third floors could be professional services such as a medical clinic. Some of the third floor might be apartments for resident doctors, doctors practicing on a short-term basis, or newly arrived doctors. The fourth to seventh floors could be mixed affordable housing options including not-for-profit seniors’ housing offering a continuum of services.
As for the Pioneer Arena, it’s a heritage building requiring TLC. Tucked in behind the flatiron building, it should remain a recreational ice rink during the winter with house hockey and ringette leagues along with skating lessons. During the off-season, it could host an indoor farmers’ market, roller-skating, box lacrosse, floor hockey, trade shows, touring circuses, puppet shows, and midways on an improved back parking lot.
Robert M. Macrae
Castlegar, B.C.
Democracy depends on all of us participating in shaping our future
I was appalled to read that the RDCK was forced to cancel the series of open houses they had planned because of intimidation and fears for the safety of participants and staff.
What kind of community are we turning into? Where a minority of harsh and threatening voices can impose their own agenda for the rest of us to contend with? Where thug rule supersedes democratic process? Is this the neighbourhood we are building for our children?
The RDCK board made the decision to delay voting on a comprehensive climate plan because an organized opposition demanded more public input. So, accepting the criticism, meetings were planned to get additional input, only to be further delayed because of hateful commentary that was construed to be threatening.
Is this how we do it now? Oppose everything, stand for nothing, spread misinformation and shut down discussion if you can’t get your way? People with strong opinions should be encouraged to share those opinions in a respectful manner as part of our collective dialogue, not bully our staff and elected representatives into submission.
I hope the board will reconsider its decision to delay the meetings and I hope calm and reasonable voices will come to make sure those meetings are collaborative instead of coercive. Democracy at its finest depends on all of us to participate in shaping our future.
Cindy McCallum Miller
Thrums B.C.
Preserve Castlegar’s recreation spaces
So the City of Castlegar has suggested that “… land at the Castlegar Community Complex could be potentially repurposed as a new Secondary School site…”
What a great idea. Forget about room for any future expansion to the existing facilities, will the ball field or soccer field be compromised? The playground was lost to an underutilized childcare center. How much more can be shoe horned into this area? What more will be lost with such short-sighted thinking? Come on city, you can do better.
How about SD20 purchase the former Woodland Park school land (ironic isn’t it?) and portion of the adjacent land where development has stalled? Castlegar’s limited and highly valued recreation, parks and green spaces should not be further reduced.
Dawn Guido
Castlegar, B.C.