If a planning decision is important enough that it requires our elected officials to ask our input or approval, then it should require proper information-sharing, debate and discussion.

Every home/taxpayer deserves a proper and clear vote/referendum to determine support. AAP (Alternative Approval Process) is not an appropriate or fair way to proceed.

Under the AAP, the CVRD advertises its proposed action in the local newspaper (which very few people read anymore) and provides at least 30 days for voters to complete and submit an elector response form indicating their opposition to the proposal (if you have a computer and are computer-savvy enough to find the forms).

With AAP, there is no debate, discussion or clarification of proposal(s) or proper vote for the proposal. 鈥淚nformation Meetings鈥� are often held at the supper hour ensuring that few people will show up 鈥� even our elected officials do not attend!

One of the AAP proposals (if you have access to a computer) is cloaked in political-speak : 鈥淓mergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Land Acquisition Service Establishment Bylaw No. 52, 2009, Amendment No. 1.鈥�

But if you look more closely? It includes: 鈥渋nvesting in, developing, acquiring, holding and disposing of lands and buildings for the purposes of providing non-market housing.鈥�

And while no one (certainly not this writer) wants to say they are against providing affordable housing, without debate or discussion, like many proposals by the CVRD, this could be a horrible decision requiring the spending more of our tax dollars on ineffective programs.

The CVRD Board may proceed with adopting the bylaw unless at least 6,213 electors (constituting 10 per cent of eligible electors) within the Comox Valley Regional District indicate, by signing and submitting the elector response form that they oppose it.

The AAP process itself is undemocratic, and devious.

Barbara Mellin
Comox