Rezoning bylaw prompts concerns

By Letter to the Editor on August 19, 2021.

Editor:

Once again it seems Mayor Spearman and his gang of enablers (Campbell, Carlson, Coffman, Crowson, Miyashiro and Parker) are at it again. Foisting yet another half-baked plan, full of unspecified objectives, on a public that is losing patience with substance abuse schemes, is not aging well. A few concerns about the Bylaw 6275 for redevelopment and Bylaw 6276 for rezoning:

1. Who filed the request for rezoning?

2. Where is the accompanying documentation for the request including impact studies, analysis and reports showing this will be in the public interest?

3. Why is this process being hurriedly pushed through when there is so much sensitivity around the issue of supervised consumption sites which these changes will facilitate?

4. Where is the public consultation process ensuring that all affected areas of the community are being heard rather than just the mayor’s inside voices?

5. Where is the plan detailing the desired outcomes including what the components will be, how they will be implemented, and what monitoring and metrics will be in place to ensure the desired results?

These are the same batch of actors involved in producing “SCS” The Original.

These bylaws will set the stage for them to produce”SCS” The Sequel. Nobody should expect a different outcome the second time around while the details are kept secret. If experience is any guide, this latest initiative will not achieve what should be our collective objectives: Reduce addiction, reduce crime, increase treatment, and increase public safety.

If this is the best our city council can produce in the way of problem solving, we need a change. It’s time to clear the decks and free up those councillors who cannot be counted on to do the right thing. Voters might even insist they follow the mayor out the door to carry on with their life’s work elsewhere.

Your concerns do matter. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. at City Hall. All citizens can participate with a written or verbal submission. Information on how to participate is available on the City of Lethbridge’s website.

Dale Leier

Lethbridge city council candidate