You ask, "Why do these guys bother?"
Because they care!!
Manfred Schumann and Keith Oliver, local activists whose previous conduct in the public arena has drawn death threats and public scorn, care about both planning policy and public process and when they see instances of failure they will tell you. That is what they have done in the latest application for a development in the Strathy Rd area.
Home Depot has asked for a rezoning to allow the construction of a big box store next to the hospital. Both Keith and Manfred did the same thing, compared this application and Council's behaviour to the WalMart experience. It was concluded, using available data and the applicant's reports, that the process is lacking merit and integrity.
Keith's submission is a simple question, "because Council, after the WalMart application banned big box operations in the Strathy Rd area, why are they reversing themselves. In other words - what has changed in three years?" To date he has not received the courtesy of an answer. His submission to Council is here.
Manfred's contention is more technical but essentially shreds the base for the supporting studies: the market study and public survey, that support the applicant's theory that the public needs this store and it will not harm the rest of the Town's commercial base. Manfred's objection is here.
Manfred Schumann and Keith Oliver, local activists whose previous conduct in the public arena has drawn death threats and public scorn, care about both planning policy and public process and when they see instances of failure they will tell you. That is what they have done in the latest application for a development in the Strathy Rd area.
Home Depot has asked for a rezoning to allow the construction of a big box store next to the hospital. Both Keith and Manfred did the same thing, compared this application and Council's behaviour to the WalMart experience. It was concluded, using available data and the applicant's reports, that the process is lacking merit and integrity.
Keith's submission is a simple question, "because Council, after the WalMart application banned big box operations in the Strathy Rd area, why are they reversing themselves. In other words - what has changed in three years?" To date he has not received the courtesy of an answer. His submission to Council is here.
Manfred's contention is more technical but essentially shreds the base for the supporting studies: the market study and public survey, that support the applicant's theory that the public needs this store and it will not harm the rest of the Town's commercial base. Manfred's objection is here.
1 comments:
Hi Ben!
Good to see ya back on the stump!
Hats off to public gadflies and those who aid and abet them.
Ain't blogging the berries!
Got my own at http://www.artsnorthumberland.blogspot.com/
Walter
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