Incivility Stems from Disinformation

I had an interesting encounter today.

I was walking on Main Street and crossing from one side to the other when a truck approached me.  As I was walking, the driver started to address me in less than appropriate ways.  It was obvious that he knew I work for “City Hall” and probably felt that he could vent his frustration to one individual, on a public street and in a threatening and abusive way.  I was called different names and he proceeded to establish, in very vague terms, that the municipality acts “behind the back” of its citizens when it comes to land development.  He was specific about not publishing information in the local newspapers.  The way the whole thing went was pretty disturbing and unsettling for a number of reasons.

First, this individual knows me but I do not know him.  It seems to be pretty cowardly to make aggressive statements and employ abusive behavior truly hiding behind anonymity.  I was quite shocked and so unable to have the presence of mind to record his license plate and track this man down through our Police department (which I duly notified).

Second, all staff at municipal hall work hard to provide the best service to the citizens in Lake Country and do not deserve to be treated with incivility.  Lake Country is a great community and the majority of municipal staff live here and have a vested interest in ensuring that the life of all citizens, including themselves, is well taken care of.  Yelling and abusive behaviour is not acceptable at any level and people should know better.  We will certainly not accept abuse and incivility at the Municipal Hall.

Third, the statement of this individual that City Hall is doing things without informing its citizens is totally unfounded and, in fact, outright wrong.  The law requires many levels of publicity and public feedback opportunities when it comes to development.  Official Community Plans, Zoning and Rezoning applications, most Development Permits, and much more require advertising in local newspapers and public input which is sought either in a Public Hearing or during a Regular Council Meeting.  There is a process for every application and signs are also posted on the affected properties to make neighbours aware of what is happening.

Every week, the District of Lake Country publishes a printed page in the Lake Country Calendar.  The same information is also posted on the District’s website – www.lakecountry.bc.ca – and we post the same information on social media.  We even have a You Tube channel that has a number of videos explaining some of the things we do and some of the processes we follow.  Just recently, the Planning group posted a video on the various things they do and the process they follow.  The video can be reviewed at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0w2wQSoaSM&feature=youtu.be.

It is sad that nowadays we have let misinformation, bad behaviour, and incivility to rule our discourse and dialogue, especially when it comes to community issues.  A friend of mine once said:  “It is like: ‘Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story’.”  It is happening all over the world.  I hope it does not continue to happen here.