Important Message for Subscribers and Website Visitors
It must be obvious to everyone by now that the District of Oak Bay has and is experiencing environmental, infrastructure, financial and character impacts.
The messaging from the District is that these issues are being adequately addressed and “all is well”. However, this is not reality: as the facts do not support this claim.
Recent events and ongoing overbuilding clearly indicate that this situation has shown no improvement. Most of the District’s serious problems are inter-connected but, there is no coordinated, sequential plan to deal with them.
Unfortunately, the Oak Bay News is facing the same financial difficulties many Canadian news outlets today are facing and has had to cut back on how in-depth it reports local news. With the loss of this independent local news coverage, it is apparent that the Oak Bay News is relying on the District’s Communications Specialist to supply this information. Is it advisable to depend on the District’s self-reporting as the only way for residents to stay informed?
Additionally, there is plenty of concern about misinformation, conspiracy theories and inaccurate, unsupportable social media reporting. The District has also removed Council and staff discussion on important issues from Council meeting minutes. The only method now for the electorate to get this information and stay engaged about Council member and staff viewpoints is to plow through hours of unindexed meeting Webcasts.
Oak Bay Watch was formed because it was obvious transparency was not one of the District’s strong points. This analysis was confirmed by the BC Ombudsperson’s Office. Oak Bay Watch newsletters and bulletins have only published facts that can be verified and this information is often provided by Community residents.
If these facts criticize or find fault with how the District is being administered, or they contradict the information provided by the District, this is not the fault of Oak Bay Watch. It is the fault of those responsible for providing the facts or information.
There is no doubt we currently live in a desirable community but, the constant “everything is coming up roses” messaging is worrisome. Particularly as the necessary building bylaw modifications and related policies have been pushed to the distant future and the Covid-19 pandemic has further decreased transparency.
There is justifiable concern about the Planning Department’s promotion of dramatic Zoning changes that the evidence confirms can only intensify the District’s present environmental, infrastructure, financial and character impacts.
Stay informed and sign up for our newsletter: oakbaywatch.com - bottom of Newsletter Menu.
See Newsletter March 10, 2021 – Part #2 The Problem: Tree Asset Preservation, Infrastructure & Climate Impacts & Council’s Disconnect.
It must be obvious to everyone by now that the District of Oak Bay has and is experiencing environmental, infrastructure, financial and character impacts.
The messaging from the District is that these issues are being adequately addressed and “all is well”. However, this is not reality: as the facts do not support this claim.
Recent events and ongoing overbuilding clearly indicate that this situation has shown no improvement. Most of the District’s serious problems are inter-connected but, there is no coordinated, sequential plan to deal with them.
Unfortunately, the Oak Bay News is facing the same financial difficulties many Canadian news outlets today are facing and has had to cut back on how in-depth it reports local news. With the loss of this independent local news coverage, it is apparent that the Oak Bay News is relying on the District’s Communications Specialist to supply this information. Is it advisable to depend on the District’s self-reporting as the only way for residents to stay informed?
Additionally, there is plenty of concern about misinformation, conspiracy theories and inaccurate, unsupportable social media reporting. The District has also removed Council and staff discussion on important issues from Council meeting minutes. The only method now for the electorate to get this information and stay engaged about Council member and staff viewpoints is to plow through hours of unindexed meeting Webcasts.
Oak Bay Watch was formed because it was obvious transparency was not one of the District’s strong points. This analysis was confirmed by the BC Ombudsperson’s Office. Oak Bay Watch newsletters and bulletins have only published facts that can be verified and this information is often provided by Community residents.
If these facts criticize or find fault with how the District is being administered, or they contradict the information provided by the District, this is not the fault of Oak Bay Watch. It is the fault of those responsible for providing the facts or information.
There is no doubt we currently live in a desirable community but, the constant “everything is coming up roses” messaging is worrisome. Particularly as the necessary building bylaw modifications and related policies have been pushed to the distant future and the Covid-19 pandemic has further decreased transparency.
There is justifiable concern about the Planning Department’s promotion of dramatic Zoning changes that the evidence confirms can only intensify the District’s present environmental, infrastructure, financial and character impacts.
Stay informed and sign up for our newsletter: oakbaywatch.com - bottom of Newsletter Menu.
See Newsletter March 10, 2021 – Part #2 The Problem: Tree Asset Preservation, Infrastructure & Climate Impacts & Council’s Disconnect.