Comments on: Project update: Email exchange with Marie Lemay, NCC CEO http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/06/project-update-email-exchange-with-marie-lemay-ncc-ceo/ No to Kettle Island. Yes to Healthy Communities. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:46:48 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Robert Gougeon http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/06/project-update-email-exchange-with-marie-lemay-ncc-ceo/comment-page-1/#comment-5943 Robert Gougeon Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:20:11 +0000 http://www.stopthebridge.org/?p=1233#comment-5943 Why are the Phase II Consultant's draft terms of reference not subject to some form of formal public input? These are critical and will substantially influence, possibly pre-determine, the choice of crossings. These are likley an indicator of the NCC's big pictue (alignments of options) position at this crucial juncture. The NCC should be accordingly accountable and open to the public. At a minimum, concerned community associations should comment on draft terms of reference. Communities should be given a chance to shape and substantially contribute to Phase II, including the development of its consultation process. Formal public consultation 'hearing' milestones are designed to defend/promote and finalize a decision, with fewest mofications, leaving communities with the fustration of reacting. Regarding the ''choosing and contracting consultant services, through a Request for Proposals process - completion by September 2009 '': To the extend that is legally possible, particularly selection cirteria, this process should be open and scrutinized accordingly. Thoughful consideration should also be given to the fundamental nature of the lead expertise for a project with such profound social impact and broader urban planning implications. Transportation engineers are likely inclined to favour and promote the most 'performing' route serving trucks and cars with minimal capital costs. Why are the Phase II Consultant’s draft terms of reference not subject to some form of formal public input? These are critical and will substantially influence, possibly pre-determine, the choice of crossings. These are likley an indicator of the NCC’s big pictue (alignments of options) position at this crucial juncture. The NCC should be accordingly accountable and open to the public. At a minimum, concerned community associations should comment on draft terms of reference.

Communities should be given a chance to shape and substantially contribute to Phase II, including the development of its consultation process. Formal public consultation ‘hearing’ milestones are designed to defend/promote and finalize a decision, with fewest mofications, leaving communities with the fustration of reacting.

Regarding the ”choosing and contracting consultant services, through a Request for Proposals process – completion by September 2009 ”: To the extend that is legally possible, particularly selection cirteria, this process should be open and scrutinized accordingly.

Thoughful consideration should also be given to the fundamental nature of the lead expertise for a project with such profound social impact and broader urban planning implications. Transportation engineers are likely inclined to favour and promote the most ‘performing’ route serving trucks and cars with minimal capital costs.

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