To the editor:
Re: "Fish pond in sanctuary doesn't fly with neighbours," June 5.
Sandra Thomas' story about the sterilized trout public fishing program at Hastings Park is yet another demonstration of why we need strong community associations. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has implemented this program on a rushed timeline, in complete ignorance of community opposition and clear facts.
While The Hastings Community Association endorses the park board in the governing of Hastings Park, we do so based on a collaborative working relationship that goes back 75 years.
The recent shift by the park board towards a centralized service delivery model is quite a departure from the working relationship we've known in the past.
The associations that once collaborated with the park board towards the betterment of the neighbourhoods are now being bullied into accepting changes that ultimately have negative effects in their communities.
This is emblematic of the park board's attempts to renegotiate the joint operating agreements with local community associations.
As with the urban fishing program, the vast majority of communities across the city oppose the board's attempt to fundamentally change the operating agreements with local volunteer community associations that built Vancouver's community centre network.
The negative impacts of the fishing program were clear almost instantly, as it is with the park board's position on renegotiating the joint operating agreements.
The public should expect the same if the park board continues to implement its will on the public and community associations without proper consultation.
I encourage the public to take note of important stories such as this and speak out against these actions taken by the park board by writing to your commissioner, city councillor and the mayor.
Massimo Rossetti, President Hastings Community Association
