Comment 109453

By RobF (registered) | Posted February 20, 2015 at 13:20:55 in reply to Comment 109406

I'm of two minds. I appreciate that Terry actually seems willing to respond, even if I disagree with the sentiments he is expressing. On the the other hand, he has a very self-serving definition of "real" engagement that straw-mans his erstwhile "opponent". I think it's true that people without out a firm position on an issue find public meetings difficult and unpleasant if views are polarized amongst those people already engaged. I have no issue with Terry practicing a range of forms of engagement/consultation ... listening in its various guises is a good political practice for a councillor to engage in. Think Terry needs to separate his defense of the status quo, however, from the notion of comprehensive ... our plans already heavily favour the auto-centric status quo. The real challenge for Hamilton, residents and councillors, is how to chart a path from this status quo to a better modal split, and eventually to an inversion of our current mobility reality. You don't generally do that by listening alone ... short of crisis, it requires some persuasion -- not saying "I hear you" to your constituents, but also "have you considered ..."

Thanks for the great letter Ryan. Sums things up beautifully.

Comment edited by RobF on 2015-02-20 13:23:51

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