Editor: Are we living in a democracy, or a third world dictatorship, where a well-heeled developer, aided by a smooth team of advisors, can convince most of our council to defy its own bylaws?
The Coulter Berry proposal, version one or two, ignores the Fort Langley Community Plan and the Heritage Conservation provisions which are there to protect the heritage atmosphere of our village for residents, businesses and visitors.
The recent Supreme Court decision pointed out the error of the council’s ways, but instead of doing the right thing by enforcing compliance with the guidelines, council is now going to appeal the court decision that ruled its actions illegal.
It will spend an even greater amount of taxpayers’ money on litigation. It takes a courageous person to admit one’s mistakes and honestly work to correct them, but this does not seem to be council’s intention at the moment.
Sometime down the road, we may decide to revisit the Fort Langley Community Plan to discuss possible changes. This would entail extensive public consultation with a number of interest groups.
Until that happens, this proposal should not go forward. The question is not whether we prefer Coulter Berry one or two, but do we support democracy and the principles of due process?
Lotte Elias,
Langley