Editor:
Re: Big changes are coming, Jan. 2
Arguably, one of the greatest challenges in stable democracies is navigating change. The Optimist's recent cover story and editorial acknowledged this reality, highlighting some of the more prominent challenges facing Delta (Terminal 2, SFPR, Southlands and the TFN malls).
My hat goes off to elected officials, and staff, that must respond to these oft-cited changes. With a tag line that reads "Ours to preserve by hand and heart," it is no surprise that governance in Delta is devoted to managing the status quo.
Public consultations have reinforced this, providing an outlet for engaged citizenry to voice their concerns, and solidify their preferences.
Needless to say, balancing the competing themes of preservation and change is no easy task.
But history isn't static; and changes are upon us.
In many cases, good preparatory work has already been done. Take for instance the Delta Agricultural Plan, completed and endorsed in 2011.
After an assessment of local vulnerabilities - including the current "traditional" model of agriculture - the plan identified various ways to both preserve and improve Delta's agricultural sustainability.
Among the ways were: "creating opportunities for new entrants," "attracting processors" and "developing stronger connections between the farming community and the local marketplace."
Yet, whether in the context of the Southlands proposal, industrial land expansion or the TFN malls, for that matter, it seems the focus has been entirely on collateral damages. Are there no collateral opportunities here to explore?
I suspect the founders of Ladner Village weren't envisioning bedroom communities, ensconced between labour-unintensive farms.
Circumspection is critical to promote sustainable communities, but so are ideas. And perhaps the time to consider Delta's place within this evolving system is now. To do so may require a shift - an ability to see the dots on the horizon, and connect them with calculation, responsibility and inclusion. Call it leadership, vision or simply follow-through.
While paying attention to the waves is important, in the long run anchoring one's ship won't take you very far.
