To the editor:
Re: "Separated bike planes proposed for Pt. Grey Road," May 29.
The city attempted to host a "public open house" May 27 at the Kitsilano Public Library on this issue. Staff were unable to cope with 200 or more people arriving early in a room that could accommodate 30 people at best.
Posterboards showing proposals were obstructed from view. People could not hear themselves. Staff could not handle the questions, not to mention the anger that was in the room. The "Director of Active Transportation," in a desperate attempt to control the crowd, took to the microphone to make a presentation, completely shutting down comments or questions, during and even after his presentation.
Some left early, sensing that any objective of public involvement was a sham. As these folks left, more who had been shut out from the room entered and the process happened again, a repeat of the lecture and clear direction to all to keep quiet. I left at this point, as did others. The single opportunity for input was a paper questionnaire that must have run out of copies. This was no forum for ideas and information exchange.
Staff were overwhelmed. There's an essential response to such a situation: Upon seeing the numbers attending, the meeting leader should have immediately welcomed people and expressed enthusiasm for the participation coming from the community. He should have immediately announced there would be additional meetings at some future date to properly accommodate the community.
Public input? Vancouver's lost Vision.
Margaret de Jong, Vancouver
