Editor:
Re: “Kudos to the SCRD,” Letters, Feb. 18.
Communities like Roberts Creek do not just fall into place.
They come together through sweat, planning, public process, shared values, and sometimes even a little bit of magic. Our community is the product of, among other things, an Official Community Plan reviewed through 3,500 hours of volunteer time, and extensive public consultation.
It should be noted that Roberts Creek’s provincially unique and publicly elected Official Community Plan Committee is not a “creature” of the SCRD, and is not within the scope of the SCRD’s review of public engagement. It is an expression of the will of the community to a degree of self-determination. Our Roberts Creek Advisory Planning Commission is both a legal requirement and a valued sounding board, providing advice to the director on planning matters.
Anyone who has sat on any type of committee knows they are not without their challenges. There are many voices to be heard, the discussions are not always easy. Sometimes people do not agree, and sometimes the process gets blamed. While our system isn’t perfect, a look around the planet reveals many less appealing options.
There are many ways to serve our Coast community. Kudos to those who give up their personal time on a regular basis to contribute publicly as part of our broader democratic framework.
Mark Lebbell, SCRD director for Roberts Creek
