Forgive me for being critical again, and please know that I am working very hard to control myself. I was present at the presentation of the master plan on September 23 (download the plan). That presentation took place exactly eight days ago, or five business days to be more precise. Did you submit your comments or did you see the comments from your fellow citizens? For my part, I didn’t see anything. Here is a summary of the changes outlined in this plan that will transform North Hatley over the next few years.
Reference: Outline of the proposal document for a planning process
Remember, at the end of the master plan meeting, Mayor Gerrishou Tremblay (my memory fails me) specified that there would be no questions out of respect for those attending virtually. It’s funny, because I attend several virtual meetings every week and there is always a question period at the end. People participating virtually can also ask questions; the presenter reads the question aloud and answers it. During the presentation of the master plan, citizens were invited to ask questions and leave comments online at https://www.imaginonsnorthhatley.com/.
The problem is that I am still trying to view citizens’ questions and comments, but without success. I see that questions and comments must be sent by email. This means it is impossible to read citizens’ questions, opinions, and views on the master plan. It is therefore impossible to discuss the issues surrounding the master plan, which aims to transform North Hatley.
Référence : https://www.imaginonsnorthhatley.com/ on vous invite à envoyer votre opinion.
It is impossible to interact with my fellow citizens to form an opinion on the issues raised in the master plan. It is even less possible to think about criticizing it in order to bring about change.
Once again, this is a one-way communication process that is adopted in less than a week without any exchange or interaction with citizens. Oh yes, maybe a few questions at the end of the city council meeting for a few citizens who will be present. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there have been no official questions made public by our elected officials about the master plan.
Tonight, eight days later and with no public discussion on the subject, we are going to move on to the agenda item on accepting the master plan without even having read or heard a single comment or question on the subject. KABOOM! Here is the master plan. Thank you for your comments by email, which were greatly appreciated. Here is the plan. Fortunately, your comments were very positive. No changes or questions necessary. It’s perfect, let’s move on to the specific urban plan that will allow us to implement urban planning regulations for the entire municipality. In fact, the next elected officials will have to accept this plan since it has already been accepted. For me, this is a flagrant lack of political ethics, or our elected officials are certain of winning. Of course, all the candidates currently holding the position of councilor are seeking a new term without opposition, with the exception of Ms. Gerrish, who is running against Mr. Patella for the position of mayor.
Perhaps I misunderstand municipal politics, but it seems clear to me that citizens’ opinions on the content of the master plan are worthless.
A document that will impact the future of North Hatley is being adopted in just eight days without a single question or comment from citizens. Once adopted, elected officials can move on to the PPU, the specific urban plan, which has legal implications since it aims to adopt regulations that must be respected and enforced thereafter.
One hundred fifteen citizens participated in the surveys and also in the kick-off meeting for the master plan. That’s great, but now we need to discuss the results of the plan in order to adjust it and ensure that citizens are comfortable with it.
I may be incompetent and ignorant, but I am overwhelmed by this situation. Please explain to me how this is possible. I took the time to attend meetings, respond to surveys, and read everything there is to read about the master plan, and I can barely follow and understand it, let alone ask questions and comment on the subject. It reminds me of Mr. Reed’s unfortunate situation.
Rest assured, it is not the master plan that bothers me, but once again the way the municipal administration is doing things. Adopting a master plan that aims to be transposed into a specific urban development plan that will dictate the next 20 years of urban development in the village less than eight days (five working days) later, without any presentation, discussion, questions, or public comment from citizens, is something I just can’t wrap my head around!
On that note, happy voting on November 2!
Reference: City Council agenda for October 1, specifying “Master Plan – Adoption.”
