Editor:
The Town of Banff will host a public hearing process in the Town Hall on Thursday (Jan. 31) at 2 p.m. in order to solicit opinions regarding the issue of chain stores.
Or at least that’s what administration is telling their bosses, the townspeople of Banff.
In spring of 2007, the Town held a Town Hall meeting in the gymnasium of Banff High School to discuss the same topic. This meeting started at 6:30 p.m. which allowed more residents to attend than will the upcoming 2 p.m. meeting.
The 2007 meeting was held at a more convenient time in a venue that could accommodate hundreds more people than the town hall can.
As a result of that meeting, the Outlook reported “Residents at a Town Hall meeting in Banff Tuesday night (May 8) spoke loudly in favour of the municipal government stepping in to regulate against the ongoing invasion of chain stores to preserve the tourist town’s character.”
The Outlook also quoted then-Mayor John Stutz as stating that “Your council and administration are here tonight to listen.” Subsequent to “listening” to the opinions of some 200 Banff residents, Town officials announced that they would monitor the chain store issue. “Monitor” is essentially government-speak for doing nothing.
Generally speaking, I’m suspicious of the sincerity of government officials when they trumpet that they are eagerly seeking the opinions of townspeople. Too often these efforts prove to be little more than “tokenism” as opinions of townspeople that run contrary to the preconceived notions of Town officials are often ignored, as happened after the May 2007 Town Hall meeting.
Many Banff residents consider that the Town has recently ignored the wishes of large numbers of Banff residents (possibly majority opinions) who did not support the building of the Arc d’Effluent (sewage bridge) at the end of Muskrat Street, or who did support the retention of the Enarson’s vinyl white picket fence.
Recently, Banff officials have supported the decision to eliminate maternity services at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.
Ossi Treutler Srs.’ statement that “70 per cent of Banffites are not in favour”, followed by “No point asking Banff council — well what’s 70 per cent?” published in the Jan. 2, edition of the Crag, sums up the cynical perspective that many townspeople hold of Town officials’ claims that they listen to our opinions.
Regardless of your opinion regarding the chain store issue, I urge you to attend the meeting in the Banff Town Hall on Thursday (Jan. 31) at 2 p.m. In addition to expressing your opinion on chain stores, you might also want to voice your opinion as to the time and venue for this meeting and whether you consider that Town officials are really listening or are only pretending to listen.
Jon Whelan,
Banff
