request for information from PRRD on consultation topics

I've sent this to PRRD directors and staff, in the hope that we will receive information that will help us be prepared for the consultation session Tuesday, June 23, 11am at the hall.

Hello PRRD directors and staff,

I am looking forward to the public engagement session that you have scheduled on Lasqueti. I expect that there will be a fairly good public turn-out for it.

My request is that you provide information to us before the meeting.

The session will be more productive, and attract more people who will be more prepared for it, if you provide information on the topics that you have scheduled to discuss:  emergency response, fire hall, free store/recycling centre, landfill and recreational initiative. Information will prepare people with many of the details of the topics, and will lead to more efficient use of everyone's time at the meeting, as well as draw people with specific interests, concerns and/or knowledge.

The session on emergency dispatch, 911 and house numbering was a marathon session, lasting over 4 hours, largely because no information had been provided to us before the meeting. This meant that much of the meeting was presentation of information to us, which could have been provided before the meeting. It also meant that our reactions were all immediate, and could not be thoughtful or well considered.

There are many ways for you to provide information to us: a mailer to each household on Lasqueti; posting on PRRD and/or Lasqueti web site; notice on Lasqueti email list. If you would like more information on any of these options, please let me know.

It would also be helpful if people could ask questions or seek more information before the meeting. It will make it a more productive meeting, and a better community discussion, if this is made possible on each of the topics. It will also be helpful if Lasqueti people can add their own topics to the agenda for the meeting.

Finally, I would like to request that you consider ways to make it possible for Lasqueti residents and property owners to be more informed about PRRD affairs, particularly by instituting the possibility for us to listen to meetings by teleconference, since it is not practical for us to attend meetings held in Powell River.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Peter Johnston
Lasqueti Island