Comment 53881

By Undustrial (registered) - website | Posted December 28, 2010 at 13:08:19

I'm really bothered by the way certain people here, like Told You So, as well as in other forums (like the Spec) continue to characterize civil society and public discussion as some sort of negative social force in this town. Every time something like this comes up and doesn't work out, from the Maple Leaf plant to the Expressway, groups of concerned citizens are blamed. We're "spoilers", "meddlers" and "fringe" groups, no matter how well educated, informed or rooted in the community.

The blatant admission that councillors avoided this issue at election time because they knew there'd be consequences says a lot. Democracy is not about avoiding tough issues - it is about hearing them out. If citizens are not entitled to a voice on these issues, why should we vote or pay taxes at all? If a private business wants hundreds of millions of public dollars, they are required to make a compelling case for it. And we are allowed to disagree and ask questions. This is exactly what has been missing from so many of this town's bad decisions in the past few decades (eg: AEGD). If people are tired and cynical, this is why.

We are all shareholders in the Corporation of The City of Hamilton. It is our business.

"Today, the notion of progress in a single line without goal or limit seems perhaps the most parochial notion of a very parochial century." — Lewis Mumford

Permalink | Context

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds