GuelphToday has received the following letter to the editor from Melissa Dean who wants the mayor to remember city governance is a democracy not a dictatorship.
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In a special meeting on April 18th, Guelph City Council once again rejected Rykur Holdings application to construct a 5-storey condo development adjacent to the Basilica of our Lady.
It was reported that Mayor Guthrie called the rejection of the 75 Dublin application” a vote against affordable housing.” To the contrary, that is not only inaccurate, it is insulting and inflammatory. There was not one Councillor nor any delegate who spoke against affordable housing. In fact, several people spoke about the need for housing that would actually be affordable for the under-housed and homeless in our City and Council was urged to convene a task force to look at possible strategies. Some of the Councillors are affordable housing advocates. So what gives?
For one, the mayor failed to grasp, despite the fact it was explained to him several times, that Mr. Lammer's proposal was not rent-geared-to-income housing; therefore, would not be affordable for low income seniors or those on fixed incomes. But that is a moot point as one Councillor pointed out. What was being voted on was whether or not Mr. Lammer's application for 5 storeys adhered to the standards of good planning principles. The majority of Councillors as well as the City Planning Department decided for a second time it did not.
I remind Mayor Guthrie this is a democracy, not a dictatorship. You have one vote like everyone else and for you to publicly disparage those Councillors who did not vote as you did, is highly unprofessional. These Councillors after thoughtful consideration voted for good planning. They did not vote against affordable housing, nor allow their vote to be influenced by personal allegiances. For you to impugn their reputations by assigning them ulterior motives is not only inaccurate, it is spiteful and malicious.
I call on Mayor Guthrie to issue a formal and public apology to Councillors James Gordon, Phil Allt, June Hofland, Leanne Piper, Cathy Downer, Andy Vanhellemond, and Mark Mackinnon who listened to the opinion of the professional city planners; in fact, I believe listened to all delegates before deciding how to vote.
When in Chambers in front of delegates, you stress that all opinions are heard and you want it to be a safe place for different points of view. Your actions however reveal how disingenuous these words are. Once again, we see an example of you “talking the talk” but refusing to “walk the walk."
The last thing our City needs is a mayor who tries to impose his will on council and who undermines a free and fair vote by publicly criticizing those Councillors who oppose him.
Respectfully
Melissa Dean
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