To the editor:
Last week’s editorial in Thunder Bay Source laments the lack of declared candidates for the upcoming city elections, but I don't quite understand the writers surprise.
The citizens of Thunder Bay find themselves ignored at every turn, massive opposition to the plan for the Marina Park, ignored even though it is clear the plan doesn't benefit the citizens much and clearly should be rethought with a new arena in mind.
Take the current Horizon Wind Inc. turbine farm.
While many want to see developments of this sort, I'm sure that most wouldn't want it next door. Yet council seems bent on ignoring those concerned about its location and asking why Thunder Bay Hydro isn’t doing this development so at least the city sees some financial benefit.
Why wasn't the courthouse built in front of the old one? Why wasn’t there any plan in place for a new bus terminal?
When the decisions were made, nobody thought to consult with area residents who would be affected.
There’s poor planning by the supposed professionals in city administration.
Look at the poorly designed bike paths hastily painted to give the illusion that we are bike-friendly; trees planted at Boulevard lake were being uprooted for what looks like a future photo-op for one or more members of council beside some kind of monument.
It becomes apparent to many citizens of Thunder Bay that the city is not being run for their benefit or being developed with any of their visions in mind.
Instead it seems to be run for the benefit of the local construction industry and the vision doesn't even seem to be that of the current council, but more that of the administration hired to serve our needs.
Even our councillors must be aware they no longer serve the wishes of the citizens. They almost never reply to emails concerning upcoming or recent decisions. Why are we paying for something they don't use?
So the citizens of Thunder Bay are ignored, opinions discounted, have poor planning flaunted in there face and simply looked on as a cash cow by influential local business, yet you wonder about the lack of participation.
Once people sense that the process no longer works for them they lose interest, it just becomes something else you have to navigate in your daily lives and hopefully you don't go broke in the process.
If council and administration continue on their current course, there may be problems getting any candidates to run but then maybe that is what is wanted.
Last week’s editorial in Thunder Bay Source laments the lack of declared candidates for the upcoming city elections, but I don't quite understand the writers surprise.
The citizens of Thunder Bay find themselves ignored at every turn, massive opposition to the plan for the Marina Park, ignored even though it is clear the plan doesn't benefit the citizens much and clearly should be rethought with a new arena in mind.
Take the current Horizon Wind Inc. turbine farm.
While many want to see developments of this sort, I'm sure that most wouldn't want it next door. Yet council seems bent on ignoring those concerned about its location and asking why Thunder Bay Hydro isn’t doing this development so at least the city sees some financial benefit.
Why wasn't the courthouse built in front of the old one? Why wasn’t there any plan in place for a new bus terminal?
When the decisions were made, nobody thought to consult with area residents who would be affected.
There’s poor planning by the supposed professionals in city administration.
Look at the poorly designed bike paths hastily painted to give the illusion that we are bike-friendly; trees planted at Boulevard lake were being uprooted for what looks like a future photo-op for one or more members of council beside some kind of monument.
It becomes apparent to many citizens of Thunder Bay that the city is not being run for their benefit or being developed with any of their visions in mind.
Instead it seems to be run for the benefit of the local construction industry and the vision doesn't even seem to be that of the current council, but more that of the administration hired to serve our needs.
Even our councillors must be aware they no longer serve the wishes of the citizens. They almost never reply to emails concerning upcoming or recent decisions. Why are we paying for something they don't use?
So the citizens of Thunder Bay are ignored, opinions discounted, have poor planning flaunted in there face and simply looked on as a cash cow by influential local business, yet you wonder about the lack of participation.
Once people sense that the process no longer works for them they lose interest, it just becomes something else you have to navigate in your daily lives and hopefully you don't go broke in the process.
If council and administration continue on their current course, there may be problems getting any candidates to run but then maybe that is what is wanted.
John Brewer,
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
