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Letters: Name change injustice

I hate politics. I hate injustice more. And I really hate being made a fool of.

I hate politics. I hate injustice more. And I really hate being made a fool of. I guess I should be ashamed of myself for ignoring local politics to the point that an initiative to change the name of my regional district ["Board approves regional name change," November 1] has passed the board and is gone to the province for approval without my having noticed it. But, then, of the 32 people to whom I have spoken of the name change, only four had heard of it, so perhaps there is something fishy going on.

It is unfortunate that Powell River Regional District board chair Patrick Brabazon thinks himself so morally and intellectually superior that he is moved to subvert the usual norms of the democratic process, by favouring the voices of non-resident supporters of his initiative, in public engagement sessions in Electoral Area B and C, which (curiously) he chaired while the elected representative of the area was right there.

Brabazon would have us believe these meetings were called to determine whether or not there was support in that community for his initiative, but Brabazon chose to abuse his power as chair to mute and intimidate the opposing voices of residents of that community by allowing his supporters to interrupt them, where no such interruptions of his supporters were tolerated.

This intimidated his opponents and gave speaking time, which should rightfully have belonged to residents, to his supporters, many of whom came from outside the community, which he was supposedly consulting.

That is not "working together," Mr. Brabazon. That is the very antithesis of the spirit of the word "qathet."

You have dishonoured the gift of the elders. I wonder if you can find the humility to beg their forgiveness.

Lorne Marr
Padgett Road