#community-participation

#community-participation

Mayor Daniel Lurie and Sup. Rafael Mandelman want to update and reform the City Charter, which is a fine idea: Under the current charter, the mayor has too much power and elected officials are able to refuse or duck sunshine requests with impunity. The city desperately needs to address economic inequality. Among other problems. Yes, it's big-in part because progressives have pushed for changes over and over since the last full revamp in 1995, and many have been efforts to increase community participation.

The bill introduced into parliament only a few weeks ago proposed to take the country backwards in environmental protection. It sought to strip communities of participation in environmental decisions, hand decision-making about environmental harm to the states and territories and give the environment minister sweeping power to tailor environmental regulations for certain developments, companies or industries. The government made it clear from the outset that the convenience of business, the desire for quick yesses that could harm the natural environment, was its chief priority.

"We are months away from the opening of our game-changing new leisure centre in Woolwich. A flagship project for the council, I know that excitement isn't lost on our residents who will soon be able to take advantage of all the fantastic facilities that will be available to them."