The Similkameen News Leader
Editorial
November 25, 2008
THE TWO-WAY STREET
Before the 'new' Town Council is sworn in I need to get this off my chest.
One of the criticisms we receive often in our office about our elected officials is the perceived lack of communication with residents.
I am thinking off the top of my head about the changes to the intersection of Bridge Street and Vermilion Avenue.
From where I'm sitting, I think there was a lot of information shared about the project, yet, when changes were being made a lot of our customers voiced their displeasure over what was being done and that "nobody asked for input" on the project.
I know that is not entirely true.
And I'm not going to point fingers as I am pretty sure the plans for that particular project went through the proper channels. A drawing of the completed project was still posted in the window of the former Goldion Restaurant the last time I looked, so there's information available.
But the constant feedback received in our office about what Town Council was or was not telling the public tells me something. Maybe the 'new' Town Council will have to examine how they release information to the public. One newly-elected Councillor suggested to me the possibility of regular
'town hall-style' meetings where the public can attend a casual, informal meeting where items are discussed and plans reviewed.
I think that's a step in the right direction.
Another suggestion from the same source was a monthly (or more often) report from each Councillor on activities they are involved in, projects being worked on, concerns from committee meetings attended, etc.
These reports would be publishing in local media.
Again, I think that's a step in the right direction.
Although current members of Council may feel they were being 'transparent' during their term, based on what we've heard in our office, maybe they were not transparent enough.
I think that's a fair assessment to make considering what we've been hearing. Personally, I think they told us what they wanted us to know, and on occasion, told us a little more. Maybe there's a lesson to be learned in that which hopefully the 'new' Town Council acts upon.
Nobody wants to be told only part of the story, but by the same token, we all owe it to ourselves to listen a little more carefully to what we are being told.
Reading between the lines only happens when the message is unclear.
And if the 'new' Town Council hears this message loud and clear, they may actually prove to us that communication is indeed a two-way street.
