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Democracy works, if you participate

By G.D. Maxwell You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

By G.D. Maxwell

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. I don’t know who came up with that one but I suspect it was someone who’d traded a mule for a horse only to find the horse was at least as stubborn an animal and half again as large.

And that’s the way it is with participatory democracy. You can give citizens an issue, a choice, a chance to be heard, but you can’t make ’em give a damn, pick up a phone, write a letter or send an e-mail.

Well, boys and girls, here’s your chance. Don’t blow it.

After nearly a year of talks, meetings, and other activities – the human equivalent of dogs sniffing each other – the issue of the World Economic Forum coming to Whistler is finally out in the open. It was discussed and debated in public at Monday night’s council meeting and let me tell you, that was some bun fight.

I would like to sincerely congratulate the mayor and all the councillors for bringing the boogie man out of the closet, to torture a metaphor. I’d also like to smack each and every one of them with a rolled up newspaper for waiting so long to do it. How long? Well, Gordo Campbell – the man who seems determined to answer the burning question: Just How Bad Can It Get? – has already sent the WEF an invitation. But what the heck, who takes him seriously?

Whether the WEF will eventually grace our happy mountain home with their presence will largely be determined by what happens during the next four weeks. The possible scenarios could include Jean Chrétien picking up the phone and saying, "Don’t be so stupid; of course they’re coming. Make it happen." In which case, it probably will. But that’s a mule no one can handle.

But the scenarios also embrace what we want, what we really, really want. The important local issue to be decided is this: Do the people who work and live in Whistler want to invite the WEF to hold their January meeting in our town in 2004?

The subtext of that issue is this: If we don’t let our elected officials know our individual answers to that question, they’ll do what they want, which is apparently to extend the invitation.

Okay, you’re cynical. You think it’s a done deal. You think council doesn’t care what your position is. Guess again, Sparky.

Almost unnoticed in the dustup and rancorous debate Monday night were signs of council backtracking on the idea of spending a million bucks to launch a municipal Web site. In the process of receiving a couple of letters against the idea, discussion was engaged about maybe taking another look at the project. Why? Council was feeling the heat. The heat was coming from Chris Quinlan’s petition and the letters they’ve received. Democracy works. But only if you let your voice be heard.

So put up, or shut up because this is as good as it gets, local politicswise.

Here’s the way the scorecard stands right now.

Hizzonor, Mayor O’Reilly is in favour of the conference coming to Whistler. He sincerely believes the WEF can be a force for positive change. He believes Whistler may be able to influence the WEF to change for the better. He believes Whistler should co-operate with the other levels of government – both the feds and Victoria really, really want the WEF to come to Canada and B.C., respectively. Verdict: Strong supporter, political pragmatist. May be swayed by tsunami of popular opposition but don’t bet on it.

Councillor Milner would probably donate a testicle to bring the WEF to Whistler. His support is unwavering. He has his constituency who applauded his position Monday night. We know Ted would be in favour of this; that’s why we elected him. According to Ted, the effects of bringing the WEF to Whistler will either be profound, those would be the positive effects, or it would be "just a five day conference" when considering the potential negative effects. Don’t fault Ted for being glib. Some of my best friends are glib. Who am I kidding, so am I. Verdict: It would take a burning bush experience to sway Mr. Milner’s support.

Councillor Wells is in favour of the conference. Kristi’s living under an apocalyptic cloud, suffering from visions of Whistler being swept from the world’s consciousness and relegated to the dustbin of "has been" ski resorts. Maybe she knows something the rest of us don’t. Anything’s possible. What happened to the dynamo who had such good ideas for fostering communication with da people during the last election? Verdict: The sun will shine tomorrow but changing Ms. Wells’ mind is going to take a more powerful natural force.

Councillor Davies is my temporary hero. Having supported the WEF in all the secret meetings, Nick scotched the attempt to sneak a motion through Monday’s meeting to do the invitation thing. He said if the vote was taken during Monday’s meeting, he’d vote against it because he wanted to give the community a chance to be heard. Bravo Nick. Having said that, I suspect he still supports the conference. Verdict: This is the guy the anti-WEF forces need to persuade. Make no mistake, he’s in favour but under that cuddly exterior beats a populist heart.

Councillor Melamed went off the deep end a couple of times in opposing the WEF but that’s why we love him. While it’s true the members of the WEF are the folks who might bring about a better world, it’s also true they’re the ones largely responsible for the world we’re dealing with today. Is the glass half empty or half full? Verdict: Ken and Ted are two sides of the same coin. I’m still glad they’re both there.

Councillor Sloan has been steadfast in her opposition. She may be the conscience of the community. She cares even if some parts of the big picture seem a bit fuzzy. Verdict: You’d better have a damn good story about how the WEF will really benefit the folks who live here if you want to turn Ms. Sloan’s head.

Councillor Kirk is my other current hero. The more I’ve gotten to know him, the more I admire his spunk. His outrage at being bushwhacked Monday to vote on something profound that wasn’t even on the agenda was the turning point in the debate. He deserves a statue. Verdict: Don’t mess with Dave.

Okay, that’s where they stand. A pretty good reflection of the community in my opinion. Whether the WEF come or not is less important than how we, as a community, decide whether they come or not. If you’re fer ’em, you know who you have to work on. If you’re agin’ ’em, ditto. Now get off your butts and let your voice be heard.

Bob: Instead of a graphic, can we use the space for contact information, maybe the pen or phone icons.

Muni Hall Phone 604-932-5535

Fax 604-935-8109

Hugh O’Reilly Office 932-5535 Home 932-2075

Mayor O’Reilly by email: mayorsoffice@rmow.whistler.bc.ca

Council:

Nicholas Davies Office 938-1763

Dave Kirk Office 932-5495 Home 932-5101

Ken Melamed Home 932-5327

Ted Milner Home 932-4946

Stephanie Sloan Home 932-5826

Kristi Wells Pager 938-8757 Home 938-0448