It was wonderful to see around 200 people show up for the Chemainus Echo Heights public meeting. This meeting was set up by a very small group of individuals at their own expense.

They were not happy with the way North Cowichan council addressed the possible development of the land west of Echo Heights in Chemainus. They felt council’s advertising for their meeting was weak and that the proposal did not offer enough options for the land, namely no development of the land and designating it a municipal wilderness park.

A well-known and common practice among all levels of government but especially from the municipal level is to advertise a public forum as close to the meeting date as possible so as to have as few participants as possible if they suspect controversy. Council did just that.

Their meeting was held in a very small hall that would hold 40-50 people — exactly what they anticipated and exactly how many people showed up.Mayor Jon Lefebure suggested twice during the meeting that you should e-mail or write council with your concerns. 
I suggest you MUST e-mail or send a letter to council noting your concerns. 

This is not over yet. This powerful meeting can be swept under the table in the next six months — considered by council as just a single meeting of a couple hundred people with varying ideas.

You can write a long letter or something as simple as “ I want to see the Echo Heights land designated as a wilderness park.” 
You must send letters/e-mails individually… One from your husband, wife, friend etc. 

E-mail your friends and family and have them send messages to council.
You must sign your full name and address so that council will know how many North Cowichan residents have concerns. That isn’t to say that people from outside of the district cannot also voice their concerns that a park is for all to enjoy.

E-mail your message to North Cowichan Council at: council@northcowichan.bc.ca or send a letter to: 
The District of North Cowichan Box 278 - 7030 Trans Canada Hwy North Cowichan, BC, V9L 3X4.

If council receives “no echo” from this meeting there may be “no park”. 

Greg Jameson, Chemainus