Re: Council considers town hall meeting format (Oak Bay News, Sept. 22)
I was pleased to see that Oak Bay council is considering expanding public consultation beyond the obvious constraints of public participation at council meetings.
I advocated strongly for regular neighbourhood meetings and better communication with residents during my 2011-2014 Oak Bay council term, believing that open and regular dialogue with residents only makes for better, more informed decision making at the council table. It’s a challenge to remain aware of and more fully understand the community’s sentiments on important issues if residents are limited to expressing themselves in just three minutes at the beginning of council meetings.
Other communities throughout the region are proactive in using communication tools and hosting regular public consultation sessions on important community topics; Oak Bay should also be engaging with its residents more frequently through a variety of formats that encourage two-way communication and robust public participation. By doing so, residents will feel more included in planning and decision-making and more positive about their council and its important work.
We are reminded that since local government is closest to the people it serves, timely and responsive opportunities for closer consultation and communication with residents can only lead to better public service.
Cairine Green
Oak Bay