[All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional Waterloo Light Rail Transit - January 18

[randybmclean at rogers.com]

Susan:

 

If GREN's mission statement is truly what you say then why are we focusing
on the LRT for KW and perhaps Cambridge.  The Grand covers a meandering
distance from north of Shelborne to Port Maitland.  GREN has a long way to
go before it can call itself a NETWORK. 

 

How can I, or anyone outside KW, expect to get involved or even see a
connection between what GREN's mission statement is  "That means finding
common ground, common goals for the improvement of the environment in the
Grand River watershed" and the LRT for Kitchener/Waterloo?

 

The Grand River watershed interacts with 11 counties and 1 Aboriginal Nation
area.  In the interest of being fair why not investigate topics that are
common to everyone in the watershed and not just a few urbanites?

 

Randy

 

Ps I understand where Robert is coming from.

 

From: all-bounces at gren.ca [mailto:all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of Susan
Koswan
Sent: January-11-11 8:06 AM
To: 'gren'
Subject: Re: [All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional Waterloo Light
Rail Transit - January 18

 

Cool the vitriol, Robert and don't jump to any conclusions,

 

GREN's "mission" is to work with like-minded groups and individuals -
NETWORK, remember? That means finding  common ground, common goals for the
improvement of the environment in the Grand River watershed. We know how
much work and research you have invested into the LRT and value the
commitment you've made, but you know that the end product will not include
all the cutting edge stuff. The Region will go with what has proven reliable
and successful and there will be compromises.

 

No one is stepping on your democratic toes here - I merely forwarded Tim's
suggestion for the agenda. Whether the questions are written or oral, there
will be ample time for discussion. Our goal is to pick Jeff Casello's brain
for why he thinks an LRT is the best option, what he thinks we should do as
a group to move this issue forward and to dispel any misinformation about
the project. It is NOT to spend the time debating issues of democracy. 

 

Susan K  

 

From: Robert Milligan [mailto:mill at continuum.org] 
Sent: January-10-11 11:28 PM
To: Susan Koswan
Cc: 'gren'
Subject: Re: [All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional Waterloo Light
Rail Transit - January 18

 

I strongly disagree with the concept of written questions because it is a
very undemocratic form of hunman interaction. New meeting-processes should
never be introduced unless the whole group is consulted!

 

Why is it being done? Does the professor feel insecure?

 

Your efficiency rationale, "this will cut unnecessary time out of the
structured QA session", takes human expression out the communication. It's
something like a prayer to a high & mighty God who may or may not answer.
Although with such a prayer you have a choice to speak it or silently
communicate.

 

I see no place for the displacement of spoken questions at any valid public
meeting!

 

On second thought, maybe all our meetings could use this approach in which
we submit questions to John and he decides which ones will be answered and
who he will permit to answer them. Certainly 30 minute meetings will save us
all a lot of time.

 

Our society needs more democracy in our meetings, not less!!!

 

Robert

 

PS: Are GRENERS aware that TriTAG -- until Mollison made some very
impractical suggestions -- has been reluctant to attempt to improve the
Region's RTI

Plan? They said it was counter-productive.

 

 

On 10-Jan-11, at 10:47 PM, Susan Koswan wrote:

 

Hi GRENers,

 

CHANGE OF VENUE FOR JAN. 18 GREN MEETING RE LRT

 

When we contacted TriTAG (pro-LRT) to tell them about our meeting, they had
already scheduled theirs for the same night. Since they could not change
their location, we agreed to combine our meetings and join them at
Whole-Lot-A-Gelata on King St located at 120 King St. S. Waterloo
519-884-5760  <http://www.wholelotagelata.com/index.html>
http://www.wholelotagelata.com/index.html

 

Agenda as follows:

 

7:30-7:40 introduction: information about initiatives, how to sign up,
speaker

7:40-8:10 presentation by Mr. J. Casello

8:10-8:30 written questions delivered by moderator (this will cut
unnecessary time out of the structured QA session; I can print forms)

8:30-8:40 closing: recommended actions, information about recurring meetings
for GREN and TriTAG

8:40-9:00 open discussion and opportunities to mingle

 

Susan K

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