Editor:
Re: Councillors showing disregard for area plan by approving Northgate, letter to the editor, July 25 We agree with Peter Duffey's comments that the approval of the Northgate project on 56th Street "is another example of the disregard they (councillors) have for the very expensively and recently completed Tsawwassen Area Plan."
We also share his concern that when Delta council comes to assess public opinion on the proposed Southlands development application our future could be decided by a few councillors that arbitrarily ignore the views of the majority of Tsawwassen residents.
Previous poll results informed council that over 60 per cent of Tsawwassen residents did not want the Southlands development to go forward.
Although significant changes to the original proposal have been made by the developer, should council go forward under the assumption the majority of residents are now in favour of this latest vision for the area?
How would council explain the recent e-mails it received, of which 75 per cent clearly state opposition to the revised Southlands development proposal?
If the will of the people is relevant to this discussion, another survey polling the opinions of Tsawwassen residents, or a referendum, is absolutely essential to an accurate and fair assessment of public opinion on this important issue.
Of course, this assumes that an open and democratic approach to decision-making is a priority for council.
Hopefully, this time our voices will be heard, loud and clear.
Linda Philip Sue Carey
