Editor:
Re: Residents wonder if city blocks messages, May 25.
The latest of many outrages! Blocking mail from citizens, indeed.
Who would block citizens from communicating with city council?
I strongly urge all council to discuss this matter, clarify to the public who did this and why, and apologize publicly to those persons blocked. Unless, of course, you have good reason not to. No doubt it will be done in secret – under the guise of an in-camera meeting.
My analysis of the statement attributed to Mayor Wayne Baldwin in Peace Arch News that “he understood the problem had been resolved” – it is the latest of many poor and inexplicable decisions of mayor and coalition councillors. Too numerous to mention.
Surely it is not unacceptable to you to have citizens “hold your feet to the fire.”
Major Baldwin, thank you for your service to our country. Mayor Baldwin, for this and your many other transgressions, it is time for you to step down.
Gerry Kirk, White Rock
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Re: Mayor’s email-to-junk request resulted in block, May 27.
In Friday’s edition of Peace Arch News, White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin claimed that my and others’ emails were “cyber abuse.”
I challenge the mayor to prove it!
I do my utmost to keep my emails short, to the point, and without derogatory comments.
The only negative was against Baldwin, calling his words regarding the boil-water advisory “irresponsible,” (‘Extraordinary’ blaze tapped system, May 20).
My recent emails consisted of comments and questions regarding the fallout from the fire at Five Corners, the cost of hooking up to Metro Vancouver’s water supply for a cost of $1.5 million a year versus the $50 million it would cost to upgrade our own water to MV’s standards, parking structures on the waterfront, and the city’s new term, “potential bonus area expansion”, which envelopes areas outside the Town Centre, in effect expanding the areas of high-density development.
That he believes these emails are “not constructive” and that he has “had enough” of emails from concerned citizens proves that he is not interested in public opinion at all.
He will do whatever he wants, regardless of what the citizens want. The only recourse I have now is to send letters to the editor at PAN. So much for “respect of the public” and “open communications” that he espouses on his website, www.waynebaldwin.ca
As for PAN publishing the mayor’s egregious comments regarding the five without giving us an opportunity for rebuttal, I am deeply concerned. The media has a responsibility to be neutral and present both sides, which, in this case, PAN failed.
Erika Johanson, White Rock
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I am very thankful to be able to add my experience to the mix. For three years now I have been trying to email Mayor Wayne Baldwin and councillors with information regarding Wi-Fi in our community.
It seems this topic doesn’t interest our mayor, so he has disregarded communications from me on this topic – and all others – since 2012.
I was interested to note in your articles that Baldwin refers to emails from five White Rock residents in particular as “unhelpful cyber abuse.”
My attempts to communicate at the municipal level have always been respectfully submitted to mayor and council, yet they haven’t been acknowledged, and I have experienced the same disregard when it comes to my emails. After December 2012, any email I’ve sent has bounced back within seconds as “banned content.”
When I made polite inquiries, no one at city hall had any idea why this was happening, and they did not attempt to reinstate me. As recently as this past February my emails to all councillors were still being returned unread.
I know mayor and council always have a full slate to keep them busy, but if avenues such as question period and online communication are intercepted or “banned,” how is a democratic dialogue possible?
I think it was persistence – not cyber abuse – that bothered Baldwin. Willful ignorance of legitimate concerns offered in good faith is disheartening and frustrating. If respectful statements in emails seem derogatory to the mayor, he might think again about priorities and his interactions with his constituents. Every rebuff eliminates an opportunity to share insights or learn something new.
After all, his mandate to ensure the safety and wellbeing of citizens in this community includes everyone, even those with ideas and concerns that may differ from his own.
Linda Ewart, White Rock
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Mayor Wayne Baldwin’s latest spin on the blocked email fiasco makes one dizzy.
Even I, a senior citizen, have the knowledge to have emails that I don’t want blocked. In fact, I considered blocking Baldwin’s after receiving an abusive email from him.
PAN’s online screen shot of his May 23 email proves nothing. Where is the original correspondence where he directed that only his emails from the five White Rock Citizens be blocked?
Surely something as important as having the mayor’s emails from these individuals blocked would need to be documented.
(Editor’s note: PAN asked the mayor for his emails to the city’s IT department. His first (left) was sent May 20 at 6:32 p.m. It reads: “Chris, I have a couple of email senders I would like to block and no longer receive emails from: {Redacted S.22(1)…} Are you able to do this?”)
One can’t help but wonder if this is the mayor’s way of implementing his ‘code of ethics’ which was defeated at the council meeting earlier this month (Civic leaders reject mayor’s pledge, May 11).
Losing control of the coalition, I suspect, would be a big blow. As proven many times, Baldwin does not take criticism well.
So, because of his inability to handle any criticism, will he now block emails from anyone who does not pander to his ego?
Democracy at its best? I think not.
Vickie Darts, White Rock
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I’m becoming very concerned about the behaviour of the mayor.
He is gruff with people bringing supplies to Centennial Park after the dreadful fire, then says he does not boil his water after the citizens were advised to do this, then blocks emails from people writing to him.
I do worry about civil liberties in our small town.
Mary MacDonald, White Rock
