Equitable and Inclusive Civic Practices Chapter
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The slides below will provide you with a short overview of the new Equitable and Inclusive Civic Practices chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
You can share your thoughts about these changes at the bottom of this page or by emailing theBellinghamPlan@cob.org. A quick note about the slides: If you click to view them in full screen, you will be taken to a new window that does not include an option to comment and will need to come back to this page to leave a comment.
You can also view these slides as a pdf (link).
Provide your comments and feedback below
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Page last updated: 02 Dec 2024, 09:08 AM
Our current system seems to discourage citizen input to critical development proposals, and is devaluing local knowledge. Limited notifications of new proposals, short timelines and zoom meetings have degraded citizen input in recent years. The vibe is currently to prevent NYMBY responses, but only people that are near to a project actually pay attention and are invested. Equity isn't served when there is a vast array of issues (like in this plan, or as in all the development proposals across an entire city) and stressed, busy people are asked to constantly engage. Many good ideas have been implemented after public input, but it is clear that developers and the city want less of this messy, not always helpful engagement.
You can’t legislate “equitable” but you can ensure everyone has access to information and ways to communicate. They are using Socisl,Media which is how many people access/contribute. The city has presented its Comprehensive Plan Update thoroughly discussing options and inviting feedback. Everyone has a chance to contribute their opinion. I know it takes time and access to a computer/computer skills but most people are savvy enough and we have a wonderful library staff to assist.
After reading the slides on Equitable and Inclusive Civic Practices, I have no idea WHAT is needed, wanted, or desired. You might as well say, "we want everyone in the city to be nice".
"Equitable" means whatever the speaker wants it to mean. Please replace the term in city documents by a more specific phrase, preferably related to criteria or characteristics which can be measured.
I have trouble understanding some of the comments posted in Slide 3. "Everyone should have a voice, and we should put extra effort into reaching those who aren't represented yet." Everyone already has a voice. If they are afraid to speak up, for whatever reason, writing what they 'should' or 'shouldn't' have doesn't belong in a guiding document for the city. It is apparent to me that the city does provide all these things that are being commented about. The "City" does not operate in the 'deep state' or 'behind closed doors'. There is an open process where everyone has the opportunity to speak, verbally or in writing. Sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Look at all the public housing that has developed in the city. Those are some of the best looking buildings in the city. Look at the accommodations that have been made for low barrier shelters. Look at the accommodations for open drug use. How has that turned out?