> From: Chris Trask <christrask@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> The bottom line here is that any active involvement in environmental
> issues in this chapter is a death wish.
I was appointed to our local Agricultural Advisory Planning Commission. The
local government proposed taking 15 acres out of farm use that was zoned
"Agricultural Land Reserve" in order to build ball diamonds and soccer fields.
We took a long, hard look at the Agricultural Land Commission Act and our local
Official Community Plan, and came to the conclusion that such use was
incompatible with both the law and with the local sentiment. I raised the
motion to "Not Forward" the land use change request to the provincial
Agricultural Land Commission, who had final say.
Three of us (including the seconder of the motion) were then booted from the
commission. The Trustee who told me said that they needed "new blood" on the
Commission. They appointed three new members who had school-age children, who
might want to play baseball or soccer. Oh, so THAT's what they meant by "new
blood!"
The new commission also defeated the motion. But it is an "advisory"
commission, and the local trust council forwarded the request to the provincial
Agricultural Land Commission against -- twice! -- the advice of the local AAPC.
Luckily, despite numerous political appointees with no agricultural experience
whatsoever, the provincial ALC also defeated the measure.
What a waste of time, energy, resource, and bad feelings in the community.
Will future generations curse us because they don't have a regulation ball
field, or will they thank us because they can eat? Ken thinks we will adapt.
I'm not so sure. The dinosaurs probably thought so, too.
Jan
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