As predicted, Mark Carney is our new leader. Wish him good luck, he’ll need it. And, happy days, Atlantic Power will be with us until 2029. Thanks to those who made it happen.
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This year city council will be developing its Official Community Plan (OCP), effective for the next five years. In the February 27 edition of the Tribune, reporter Ruth Lloyd described the OCP “as the rulebook for our city's future. It sets the guiding principles and policies that influence decisions about everything from land use to resource management. It's how we steer our city towards the future we hope for and want.”
Williams Lake residents may be happy now, but again quoting Ruth, “even the most beloved places have room for improvement.”
An OCP should ensure good things happen in the future, but the process needs ”meaningful public input.”
Leading up to 2011, Mayor Kerry Cook’s council came up with an inclusive process in developing its OCP. They held public meetings, from large gatherings in the Gibraltar Room to small group meetings where participants shared their ideas. Topics included building a resilient economy; social well-being; lively downtown; active transportation; affordable housing and livable neighborhoods; world class recreation; cherished local ecosystems; and distinctive arts, culture, and heritage sections.
Williams Lake won a national award for the plan, described as a “ vision developed with extensive community input.” Unfortunately, later councils didn’t implement the plan. We’d be in a better position now if they had. As Ruth points out “Giving input and getting informed aren't enough. We also need to hold our city accountable.”
Given the various troubles we’re facing (from Trump’s nonsense to local issues) we need a strong plan for the future. I hope city council follows the 2011 example for public input.
If you missed Ruth’s piece, you can read it here: OPINION: Do you love our city? Let's build its future together
