From page M1

Vancouver council candi-
date: “Apart from those issues
specifically required to be held
in-camera by the Municipal
Act, I believe in full discussion
of issues, in public. The work
of the council must be com-
pleted in a timely way, but the
process must be such that the
public knows of the issues and
can easily participate if they so
wish,

“Four concerns have been
raised by regular council
audience members. These
are the timing of the release
of agendas, the executive ses-
sion preceding the council
meeting, placement of public
question period, and the
public availability of reports
to council.

“If members of the public
have a perception that deci-
sion-making is not taking
place in a pubiic forum, then
everything possible must be

done by municipal staff and

council to correct this.”

Helen Davies, West
Vancouver council . candi-
date: “It is important to work
continually toward a more
accessible and open municipal
government that involves local

- residents in a meaningful way
in decisions that affect the
community. I strongly support
a public decision-making
process that places a priority on
hearing from and responding
to ‘the citizens of West
Vancouver. It is critical that
information be made available
to the public so there is full and
open debate on the issues
before council.”

Glen Bancroft, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “The answer is yes!
While there will be issues and
negotiations that require conti-
dentiality, as much as possible

_ municipal business should be
open — otherwise how do our
citizens assess the individual
contributions being made by
those they elect?

: “How. do- they know
where each councillor stands
on the issues? How do our
citizens come forward with
their ideas and concerns,

‘ respond to council proposals
and participate in the deci-
 sion-making process?

“Council in exercising its
discretion must make deci-
sions which are fair and just
— justice must not only be
done but be seen to be
done.”

Lynn Coules, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “Every citizen or organi-
zation which has dealt with
council, the planning depart-
ment or parks and recreation
department in past years will
answer a deafening “Yes.” We
have to put a stop to decisions

tinibtecetsers

made at executive committee
ineetings held behind closed
doors. Council is elected to
serve the people. They must lis-
ten to the public, not just staff.

“Democracy works by pco-
ple expressing different ideas in
a public forum and council tak-
ing notice of the majority view
expressed.”

Russ Fraser, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “I would cncourage
much more public involve-
ment. I would extend this to
virtually all areas aside from
those concerning _ private,
human zesources issues.”

Peter Lambur, West
Vancouver corneil candi-
date: “Public participation is
critical to effective local gov-
ernment decision-making. We
should encourage neighbor-
hood groups with common
interests and provide them
with direct access to council.
Argument against? More civic
bureaucracy, additional cost
and extra work for council.

“Rebuttal: issues should
be aired at the neighborhood
ievel first. Council business
could be reorganized to
allow dialogue with resident
groups on a regular (month-
ly) basis. If this cuts into
‘executive’ sessions, I would
suggest that councillors con-
fer informally outside city
hali hours.”

Liz Byrd, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “Decisions at municipal
hall should nor be made
behind closed doors. People
with an interest in any matter
before council should be given
ample opportunity to have
their say.”

Peter Dowling, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “I am in favor of more
open government and less in-
camera “closed door sessions.”
As a prospective councillor I
expect to be accountable to the
electorate.

“For that reason T would
welcome more — input.
Furthermore, } am in favor
of referenda or plebiscites for
major capital expenditures. I
believe the public question
period time should be
moved to the beginning of
the agenda so the public
doesn’t have to sit through
routine council matters
before getting their chance
to speak.”

Sheila Adams, West
Vancouver. council candi-
date: “The public needs more
information at all points of the
decision-making process.
Greater detail of the topics on
the council agenda should be
published in the newspaper and
a detailed, unbiased report of
the mectings filed for public
information in the newspaper.
If not the paper, then on the
Net.

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“Regular TV reporting
would be terrific. I firmly
believe chat matters should be
discussed in open council
meetings. The public need to
see clearly how cach member
stands on the issues.”

Genine McCurdy, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “Citizens want more
access to the information used
in making council decisions
and often want more opportu-
nity to provide their input into
decisions affecting the future of
their community.

“Documentation and delib-
erations should both be open
to the public. For instance, the
agendas of all municipal boards
and councils should be posted
well in advance to allow for
informed = public input.
Documents used to guide deci-
sions should be available on the
Internet so people can view
them at their convenience.”

Derrick Humphreys,
West Vancouver council
candidate: “The proper oper-
ation of a democratic municipal
council must and will include
comraunication by correspon-
dence, public announcements,
public hearings, public input at
council meetings, question and
answer periods and radio, TV
and newspaper reporting of
matters of public concern and
interest.”

Anthony Tobin, West
Vancouver council candi-
date: “It is a hallmark not only
of justice (not only that it be
done but that it manifestly be
seen to be done) but also of
democratic decision-making.
Decisions made by council in
the public interest ought to be
made in the public arena, in full
view.

“The public has a right to
know what considerations went
into council’s decision-making
process, what interests, if any,
were brought to bear and the
reasons for the decision
reached by cach elected repre-

sentative.”

Ron. Wood, West
Vancouver incumbent
council candidate:
“Although every level of gov-
ernment should strive to be
‘open’, it is my belief the deci-
sion making in West Vancouver
is a public process. It is council
policy that in-camera items are
restricted to land, legal and
personnel issues. However,
public input is encouraged at

_the weekly council meetings

through public hearings and
meetings, the Policy and
Planning portion of the agenda
and a public question period.
“I believe I have consis-
tently been open, encour-
aged public input on issues
and have been responsive to
public concerns.
Significantly, my re-election
brochure requests public
feedback regarding three

specific topics relating to
major issues, favored types of
housing to be developed and
the priorities regarding new
recreational facilities.”

Pat Boname, West
Vancouver incumbent and
mayoralty candidate: “We
already provide open govern-
ment with many opportunities
for citizen involvement and
participation. Issues are devar-
ed publicly at regular Monday
night council meetings at
municipal hall, some of which
are televised.

“We deliver the West
Vancouver Report to every
home three times each year and
our anaual budget meetings
with heads of municipal
departments are also televised
on local cavle television.
Meeting agendas and reports

are available at the library and
municipal hall, Although we
encourage public participation,
we can always improve our
methods of communication
and dialogue with the commu-
nity.”
Jim Hogan, West
Vancouver mayoralty can-
didate: “The decision-making
process should be mure public
in West Vancouver, particularly
when it relates to spending and
policy issues. Council’s work
must be more transparent.”
Carolanne Reynolds,
West Vancouver council
candidate: “Of course. And [
advocated that when elected in
1988: the agenda with sup-
porting reports and maternal
must be released much earlier,
“Right now the council
package is released after 4:30
p.m. Friday, when the hall is
closed, and taken to the
library, for decisions Monday
night! Councillors can table
cach issue but jit could
become ridiculous. Day,

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Danyliu, and I wanted the
sgendas earlier but couldn’t
get a fourth vote: i.e. neither
Sager nor Boname would
agree to change.

“Decisions should not
only be made in public bur
perceived to be made in pub-
lic. This inspires confidence.
Unanimity conceals reality.
Furthermore it is of utmost
importance the public be
informed with ample oppor-
tunity for input before coun-
cil votes.”

Bill Soprovich, West
Vancouver council candi-.
date: “If Iwas elected to
council 1 would expect to make
decisions on behalf of citzens, ©
Tam not opposed to a more’
open proce:s, but do I- need
constant public approval on
every issuc? .

“Time is a great compo-|
nent of decision making,
public hearings and meetings:
on major development .and

expenditures should be open: :” 7

and straight forward.”

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