Rest Stop Name Vote: Public Left In The Dark, Then Scolded By Gary Long For Not Being Informed

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Pat Newson was added at the last minute to the agenda. This was not in the agenda package that was sent out by town hall. Newson’s comments were regarding the naming of the rest stop on London Road. Newson stated that using “Little People” might be offensive to some, as it refers to a specific segment of the population.

The public gallery was not privy to any information regarding the naming of the park, as the public was left out of the process again. There was no call for public input, and no information was released in regard to what they are trying to accomplish at that rest stop.

The only information the public gallery had, was that the new rest stop was open, and Pat Newson was advising council that the term “Little People” may not be an appropriate.

Many in the Public Gallery were under the impression that the new rest stop was for honouring the memory of “Little People”, or those that are afflicted with dwarfism. Some in the gallery thought “Little People” referred to taxpayers in a condescending way, as in “I would like to thank all the little people for their votes”.

Several in the gallery thought the whole scenario was ridiculous. This resulted in laughter and smirks from a couple gallery members, and at least one staff member.

NOTE: It was not until the end of the meeting, after the rest stop was named, did Council make any effort to inform the public about the motivations for the name. This information was delivered by Gary Long, in an extremely unprofessional and subjective way. Mr. Long lost composure and blasted the gallery for “giggling”, and stated he was offended, and that more respect should be offered to council.

Mr. Long then informed the public of their motivation for naming the park. Council wants the rest stop to be a memorial for Children, not Dwarfs. Those that were “giggling” and smirking in the public gallery, were oblivious to the fact that council’s reference to “Little People” was intended to mean “Children”.

Mr. Long’s extremely defensive reaction was uncalled for, and very unprofessional. Mr. Long could have politely explained their motivations, which they kept secret from the public until after the park was named, and Gary Long’s tirade

This is just one more example of Town Hall’s lack of communication and lack of respect for the ratepayers in the decision process.

Thumbs Up if you think the rest stop should be named “Children’s Memorial Park”

Thumbs Down if you think the rest stop should be name “Little People’s Memorial Park”.