Town of Comox: Where democracy goes to die
Dear editor,
I attended the Town of Comox May 20 council meeting as I was anxious to hear their final decisions on zoning bylaw amendments 1791 and 1792; amendments, which if passed, would allow the proposed Lorne Hotel to go forward.
After what I witnessed I can safely say Comox is where democracy goes to die.
Given the recent public hearing and submissions (including a petition) , it was clear the majority of the people of Comox do not want this proposed building. They want a building, they want a pub, they just don’t see this five-storey proposal as the right building.
To this end, Councillor MacKinnon proposed a compromise with a four-storey building, a proposal supported by Councillor Price.
Councillor Ken Grant suggested that “compromise will kill this project and you’ll end up with a vacant lot.” He used the “sky is falling” scare by intimating if council said “no” and asked for a new plan of four storeys, then the developer would take “his toys and go home.” And to change plans now would send a bad message to other developers who may want to build in Comox.
What utter nonsense.
So, council is just there to do the bidding of developers and be damned what the citizens of Comox want for their town? If that’s the case then heaven help up all.
What does it say about a town council that does not support the majority of its citizens? I do not believe due process was followed with respect to this entire project; as my Dad would say “this fix was in.”
My thanks to Councillors MacKinnon and Price for actually listening and attempting to do the right thing. To the rest of you ..shame, shame.
Barb Tribe
Comox