Dear Editor:
It seems that if you are not in synch or inline with the mayor of Burnaby's pet projects you are labelled "political."
This is curious, especially coming from the mayor of Burnaby, who is one of the savviest "politicals" around.
Oddly enough, the Community Charter under which the City of Burnaby operates states in Chapter 26 Part 2 Division 1 Paragraph 6 (1) that: "A municipality is a corporation of the residents of its area."
This labelling of the citizen residents of Burnaby who do not agree with the mayor as "political" shows contempt for democracy and denies the dissenting residents inclusion in the public debate (or lack of it) and further shows disregard for the public process of debate and input to which we are all entitled.
Consultation is defined as an exchange of opinions: a discussion aimed at ascertaining opinions or reaching an agreement.
So far, all consultations on the Brentwood redevelopment have been rather one-sided, and no attempt at reaching agreement on differences has been made.
Council tells us what we should be agreeing to. The mayor's motives are as transparent as the king's new clothes.
Darcy Olson, by email
