If you are interested in the development of Nanaimo as a Community, don't miss the Public Hearing at 7pm in the Shaw Auditorium of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. This will be the second time the Cable Bay folks have tried to expand their empire in the boondocks, and again they are trying it by a method which appeals to Council with little public input. Promises have been made which, at least in my mind, are as good as those made by another partner for a conference centre hotel. Citizens perform, they reneg. We will hear on Thursday about how this rezoning step (by the way, the land in question does not belong to the developer which raises its own questions), must lead to a "Comprehensive Plan" before development can begin. Of course the rezoning will increase the value of the land substantially. Someone may want to ask on Thursday what the estimate of the value which Council is granting (if it approves the rezoning), and how much the citizens of Nanaimo who gave Council the right to grant this increase will get. And a whole lot of other questions. This may be our last chance to discuss a project which professionals have said will sink downtown revitalization if it goes ahead.
I hope to see you there on Thursday. It is OUR town, not just that of a few.