Letterbox: A referendum is needed before we get back in the ring for Round 2 of the Anmore South fight

While the transformative Anmore South proposal is currently off the table, a revised, re-submitted proposal should be met with greater transparency and a village referendum. The Anmore Residents Association explain why in this letter-to-the-editor.

Dear editor,

Icona’s decision to withdraw its application requesting an Official Community Plan Amendment, which would begin a path towards the urbanization of Anmore, was considered a victory by the village residents. The tone of the news releases by both Mayor John McEwen and Greg Moore, CEO of Icona was one of defeat and bewilderment. Nevertheless, some 300-plus residents returned home on Monday night with a feeling of relief but also a guarded optimism knowing in the back of their minds they would probably be getting back into the ring to fight round two. Why, you may ask?

The recent OCP amendment process reads like a Shakespearian play complete with all the ingredients including a mystery, the spinning of lies, deceit and betrayal. Something is indeed rotten in the state of Anmore!

For the past five years Port Coquitlam politician Greg Moore, with the help of our mayor and council, have been trying to sell Icona’s vision of a new improved Anmore by attempting to guilt trip residents into feeling obliged to do its part to solve the housing crisis. Yes, the same housing crisis caused by various levels of government including the Metro Vancouver Board which Mr. Moore was chair of and Mr McEwen is currently vice chair of. No wonder they portray themselves to be such experts on the matter.

Let’s just speak to the truth. This is quite simply about money for if the amendment had been passed Icona would have immediately realized a sizable increase in property value. Property they probably have no intention of building on because they really don’t have any experience at that type of thing.

As for the council? They have proven themselves to be unrepresentative of the remaining stakeholders. In spite of five years of repeated calls for a referendum they chose a public consultation which was conducted in bad faith. The process was leading, lacked transparency, and did not ask the primary question: “Do you want it?”

Worst of all, Anmore council trampled on the residents’ rights to free expression by refusing to hear and respond to questions in council; amounting to a gag.

Both Mayor McEwen and Greg Moore have made statements alluding to the fact that Icona withdrew their proposal to help heal the polarization within the community. Let’s be clear: The only polarization which exists in Anmore is that between council and its residents. This statement is supported by the Forum Research report which shows 78 percent of survey respondents do not support a land use change from rural to urban. Nevertheless, if indeed the mayor and Mr. Moore really believe there is some sort of silent majority in favour of the OCP amendment, then once again we challenge the mayor and council to prove it with a referendum. Step up council, show some courage and do what you should have done in the first place!

Anmore Residents Association: (Directors) Remi Coupal, Leslie Hannigan, Ken Juvik, Neil Lyons, Trudy Schneider.