How much are an average islander’s thoughts worth?
For the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee, the amount is $40,000 higher, which is how much they agreed to up the budget on the first “public engagement” part of the official community plan review last week.
It was a bit disconcerting to hear from consultant rep Sandra Borton that “these aren’t necessarily things that will gather information, but they will help to mobilize knowledge of the process more broadly into the community,” describing ways the Trust will communicate to the public, not the other way around.
Use of online tools such as an interactive StoryMap platform to get input was suggested, but really, until there are specific proposals for people to read, consider, discuss with friends and family and give their feedback on, the return on investment is going to be quite low.
Most of all, we feel it’s unfortunate that town hall meetings — or in-person gatherings of any kind — are no longer considered a staple of public engagement. It’s perceived that the loudest voices dominate, inaccurate information is heard and people feel unsafe in an environment that might become emotionally charged. That can be true. But without some kind of emotion — a byproduct of caring — it’s hard for community members to be interested in any topic or understand why it might be important to them. And often it’s the people listening at such meetings who benefit the most from hearing a range of opinions which they can consider there or at a later date. Staff or elected officials can also immediately correct misinformation and carry on — harder to do from a poster.
We can bury the island in anonymous coloured post-it note ideas, get 1,000 online survey responses and go blind looking at sanitized story boards. It’s not going to get everyone to a state of consensus, blissful reason or understanding of the issues well enough to provide the pristine, useful, authentic “input” the Trust is looking for.
Ironically, the town hall environment can’t even be wholly avoided, as legislation requires a public hearing for the bylaws to pass. The feared discomfort is at best being postponed.
People who “show up” don’t do so simply from a position of privilege; they mobilize themselves because of their passion. Involved islanders care deeply about our island — sometimes loudly, often awkwardly and usually intractably — but always sincerely. Hopefully we’re not spending more just to hear from those who care less.