Defend Our Waterways

The July 7 waterways workshop may be a turning point, much like the trolley pilot confirmed the loss of confidence in our representatives and kicked the incumbents out. If this workshop is structured similarly to the last waterway town hall and waterway workshop, we risk unintended consequences. Constituents feel disillusioned, even gaslighted, in regards to protecting our waterways - the foundation of this City. Gathering signatures for a referendum and taking the decision on AWT out of Council's hands suggests that. Rumors say the workshop will focus on the history of how we got here, we are in compliance withminimum regulatory requirements, debunk groundwater as a source, and give the People a feel good that “we are working on 

It - look at what we have done,” while limiting the People’s participation. While I am learning from history, the focus is wrong. The focal point should be where do we go from here in an all-encompassing initiative that results in a strategic plan. Get out the whiteboards and hammer at it. Not the same piecemeal discussions. This workshop should have resident subject matter experts on the podium. If it results in some “heat” vs a “feel good,” so be it; we need progress and a plan, not another can to kick. 

With voters realizing that the foundation of this City is under attack and we refuse to defend our waterways vigorously, I wonder if any Councilor can survive their next election if they stand against real progress. The July workshop will tell the tale.