To the editor:
Re: “Scale questioned for Oakridge redevelopment,” Oct. 9.
As a former Vision supporter I feel a huge sense of anger and betrayal at the way in which the mayor and his cohorts on council have turned the fate of our city over to developers and real estate agents.
It is now virtually impossible for ordinary residents to have any meaningful input into the decisions which affect our lives. Instead, we are treated to useless platitudes about how density is good for us, or how development IS the future. Where is their mandate to make such important decisions on such a scale as they envision. Are we, who also live here, not entitled to a voice in making such plans. It appears we are not.
The creation of whole neighbourhoods where none existed before has done little to assuage the ravenous appetite on the part of the mayor and his friends for more development.
A look at the proposal for “re-development” of the Oakridge Centre, with towers reaching 41 storeys makes me pause to consider the sanity of those who advocate such a venture.
It may come as a rude shock to our elected officials, but there are many more important and meaningful ways to measure the greatness of a city. I would suggest the first among these is the willingness of those who govern it to be mindful and respectful of the wishes of those whom they were elected to serve.
Mayor Robertson, are you listening?
Kenneth Friedman,
Vancouver
