To the Editor,
Barry O’Neil’s presentation at the June 11 city council meeting was quite interesting, as was the question period that followed. Over the next week or so, let’s hope that Mayor John Ruttan and Nanaimo city councillors strongly consider declaring Nanaimo a ‘Blue Community’ and subsequently vote ‘yes’ at the next council meeting.
The three resolutions – recognizing water as a human right; promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services; and banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events – are about quite basic values.
It is my understanding that once these value statements are agreed upon and the ‘Blue Community’ status accepted, Nanaimo – similarly to other individual ‘Blue’ communities – will have the opportunity to interpret and implement these resolutions based on our local circumstances.
This is a wonderful opportunity for city council and the community to take an active leadership role both locally, provincially and perhaps even beyond. As individuals and as a community, it is time to make responsible decisions so we can start to implement the changes so necessary to protect our natural resources and our basic human rights. It also just makes good sense.
We have exceptional city councillors working on our behalf, and I would like to thank them for their considerations on such matters and for their efforts to involve all segments of our community in the ongoing strategic planning sessions for our city’s future – both in the short- and long-term.
Working together we can do amazing things.
Lynn Burrows
Nanaimo
