City To Pay Haldi Ad Bill
Prince George, B.C. – The Haldi Road residents will be getting a cheque from the City of Prince George to cover the group’s advertising costs.
The Haldi Road residents had purchased an ad in the Citizen to publicize a public meeting about a proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan.
The Ombudsperson’s Officer, Raheel Humayan says the City’s ad for that meeting “did not appear to have informed the public that the proposed amendment would affect all residentially-zoned properties in the City.”
Humayan says while the Haldi Road Community recognized the deficiencies in the public notice that had been issued by the City, “the responsibility to provide reasonable notice to members of the public who will be affected by the subject matter of a public meeting lies with the City.”
The Ombudperson contacted the City to see it was willing to compensate the Haldi Community for the cost of the ad. The City has agreed to issue a cheque in the amount of $556.86 . The money will be redistributed to those who had contributed to the cost of the ad.
Comments
Kudos to the Haldi Group. Guess they did see what others in the city did not. Glad to see some things are coming to light! Shame the whole city did/does not realize the ramifications of what the Haldi people were fighting. It set precedence in more ways than one!
Guesswhat, the precedence has been set a long time ago.
The precedence is that the City will run rough shod over its citizens if they deem it necessary,.
They seldom do the right thing, unless it is an election year, then they bend over backwards to pretend that they have the interests of the community upper most in their minds.
Bike lanes on the North Nechako and additional parking for seniors on 10th avenue, probably would not have happened if this was not an election year.
City Managers, and staff could use some training in how to deal with citizens in a fair and equitable manner.
Palapu: How about the Council Members also learning how to deal with the public? I blame them more than staff in this case having to go to Court.
Key statement in the whole article.
“Cityâs ad for that meeting âdid not appear to have informed the public that the proposed amendment would affect ALL residentially-zoned properties in the City.â”
Much like a magician uses slight of hand and distraction to deflect attention from what is really going on, the city talked of how the Haldi facility was badly needed and that NIMBYism was rampant it that in the neighbourhood while bringing a change through the back door that would allow them to make similar changes anywhere in city limits carte blanche.
Palopu.
I agree with you. But more so city council has an obligation to pease their campaign contributors.
This whole Haldi case has proven how Prince George citizens complain when there is something city council does to hamper the quality of life in neighbourhoods but are most happy to let everyone else fight the battle.
“city council has an obligation to p(l)ease their campaign contributors.”
Why is this even allowed? There should be no funding of people running in a city election in a town this size. Maybe all the campaign signs should be done away with as well. There be public meetings where the public can ask questions of the candidates, report that, and be done with it.
It might go a long way in curbing corruption.
Palopu: “City Managers, and staff could use some training in how to deal with citizens in a fair and equitable manner. “
There’s a loaded statement! “Fair and equitable” depends greatly depending on who you are and what you stand for.
As Councillor Wilbur said once in a council meeting. “I will listen to the Professionals”
If anyone was watching any of the council meetings they would have found that the Haldi people informed the council the “professionals” were in err numerous instances.
I am sure there will be more coming to light in regards to the “Professionals” in the near future.
Council of the day was not hearing the people and still are not hearing the people. They prefer to listen to the “Professionals” which is administration.
There have been many departures and there surely will be a few more down the road in administration.
There is another court case against the city for $900,000 dollars. The amount of errors done by the administration of this city is and will be costing taxpayers a bundle.
Maybe Wilbur was listening to someone from the worlds oldest Profession cause the residents of Haldi certainly got screwed:P
The Haldi Rd residents always questioned the “process” The last court challenge was based on the OCP challenge, to keep rural residential properties, just that, rural residential. Agree with Lonesome……Haldi got screwed.
“City To Pay Haldi Rd. Ad Bill.” A rather deceptive description of the city’s ability to pay the ad bill. Unless all of city council have Citizen paper routes just for these occasions,I strongly suspect we, the lowly taxpayers are picking up the tab. I sure hope the city gets 90 days to pay. They won’t get my taxes til July 4. Vote them all out.
That cheque should be framed, photocopied, displayed and rubbed in the nose of all at the city who perpetrated this heinous act.
Either that or just cash it and wait for rehab Center to open and buy some hookers and blue with it!
Tough call either way.
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