A10
www.pqbnews.com
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 The Parksville Qualicum Beach News
commentary
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
The News is published every Tuesday and Thursday by Black Press Ltd. #4 - 154 Middleton Ave. Parksville, B.C. V9P 2H2 250-248-4341
How refreshing
T
his had the potential to turn into a counterproductive complaint-fest. To the credit of the panelists, the 120 people in attendance and the leadership of the Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association, the forum Thursday night at the civic centre became a constructive dialogue that might yield results. Clearly initiated by The Clarion development and the speed (according to some) it was passed through council, one would not have been alarmist to guess this forum Thursday was going to see a long line of people at the microphone crying over spilt milk and dividing the council and community once again into little camps. Alas, it was not. How refreshing. Some of the suggestions may be entirely unworkable and/or create more problems than they solve, but at least there was some productive, respectful discussion. Much of the credit for the comfortable temperature in the room goes to the three panelists asked to speak and answer questions about development in Qualicum Beach and how better communication can happen between residents and proponents before the project ends up being approved by council. Architect and former advisory planning commission member Bruce Fleming-Smith, the town’s director of planning Luke Sales and local realtor/developer Dave Bryan set the tone with their open, honest approach to the evening. Sales was understandably unwilling to participate in any political parts of the discussion, but he did provide insight into how things work at town hall in regards to development. Fleming-Smith came with a suggestion for a new group — perhaps formed with representation from the town’s three residents’ associations — to provide input for council on development. Bryan was engaging, entertaining and informative, even supplying some numbers and profit margins developers are generally loathe to discuss in public. While we don’t agree the town needs yet another unelected group to advise council, at least this discussion was civil, and perhaps it will alert developers that they must do a better job communicating with the residents of this unique community. — Editorial by John Harding
The Parksville Qualicum Beach News (The News) is published every Tuesday and Thursday by Black Press. The News is distributed to more than 15,500 households in District 69. The News is 100 per cent B.C. owned and operated. The Parksville Qualicum Beach News #4 - 154 Middleton Avenue, P.O. Box 1180 Parksville, British Columbia, Canada, V9P 2H2 Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone 250-248-4341; Fax 250-248-4655
www.pqbnews.com
Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #0087106
Question Of tHe week
Last Week’s QuestiOn
Was the Calgary flood a sign of climate change?
Do you have plans to celebrate Canada Day?
Vote at: www.pqbnews.com before MONDAYS at noon
YES 37 NO 48
PuBlISheR eDIToR oFFICe PRoDuCTIoN CIRCulaTIoN Peter McCully John Harding Pauline Stead Peggy Sidbeck Becky Merrick publisher@pqbnews.com editor@pqbnews.com office@pqbnews.com team@pqbnews.com circulation@pqbnews.com SaleS: Brenda Boyd, Brittany Pearce, Linda Adams, Steve Weldon, Lori Hague eDIToRIal: Auren Ruvinsky, Lissa Alexander, Neil Horner, James Clarke PRoDuCTIoN: Tracy Paterson, Leigh Craig, Brad Everest, Tom Alexander ClaSSIFIeDS: Pauline Stead, Sandi Wells
The Parksville Qualicum Beach News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to: B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.