It's been over a month since this blog was initiated, three weeks since it was mentioned on two Denman websites, and a week since the Grapevine published my invitation for anyone to participate. There have been three contributions to the blog, several phone calls, and half a dozen unsolicited encouraging comments to me by islanders. Which is all to say it's a slow but promising start. Everyone to date seems to like the idea of such a public space but for some reason hesitates to jump in with comments, suggestions, or criticism. For my part I've been busy with other projects, garden, building, socializing...just like most islanders this time of year...hmm, do I detect a connection?
posted by denmon at 5:37 PM
2 Comments:
Yes, many of us are gardening and developers are as busy in theirs as we are in ours. It is not disimilar but it is certainly different. We think of ourselves as equals when we interact with developers. We aren’t. They are engaged in a very specific activity whereas we are submerged in generalities. They have one simple goal and a clear path for achieving it. They would have us believe their proposal is simple quid pro quo but I don't agree. They are engaged in business and we in community, apples and oranges.
Don’t think they are really interested in hearing what you have to say. They just want to keep you talking, distracted while they continue with their plans. It’s all about time for them. Who's timeline is it? Money and time are two sides of a coin. They know what they want and they know how to get it. We may or may not be in their way. In either case they have a contingency plan. It will be simple in any case. We on the other hand have no plan and an unorganised scattering of opinions about a variety of goals more euphemistically called visions. This is not criticism, it’s clarity.
A 'bait and switch' is a form of fraud in which the fraudster lures in customers by advertising a good at an unprofitably low price, then reveals to potential customers that the advertised good is not available but that a substitute good is. The goal of the 'bait-and-switch' is to convince some buyers to purchase the substitute good as a means of avoiding disappointment over not getting the bait, or as a way to recover sunk costs expended to try to obtain the bait. It suggests that the seller will not show the original product or product advertised but instead will demonstrate a more expensive product. The buyer will not get what they want and may end up paying more for an unwanted alternative.
The clear cut of our forest reserve has abated, now clear cut of regulatory old growth begins. In phase three, the cowbirds of development replace the songbirds of our dreams with parasites of gluttonous consumption.
We lost the dream some time ago or maybe there never was a collective dream. Who owns the land ? I hear private property but who can own the earth? Our community lost the creative collective power one night a long time ago when the collective Power was squelched by some who wanted to lead.
Therin lies the problem we need to have sharing circles as we are adrift like the ocean tides that hit our shore. I am a dreamer and I lost the dream when I found myself alone at the ferry trminal trying to stop logging trucks coming on to the island. The land question needs to be resolved first by inviting the first nations home to their island.
So stole it and now we are angry because more people stole it and cut down the trees. I try to walk the middle road to see both sides.
Your previous writer sounded nasty and bitter,sorry we have no time left for bitterness. We are all in the eye of the needle. I feel sorry for my little islanders who are not open to hear every voice. Every voice counts not just the ones you want to hear.
But there needs to be a circle.
Peace and reconcilation hearings might be in order.
I saw Evelyn hurt and then she ripped up trees in angry. SOme say Hancock was doing alright till we fought back
then the island took a big hit.
If the land holds the memories then the land needs the healing and we on the land need to open to each other in a kind respectful way.
Personally I do not mind more people living here who decides the density numbers,who would deny anyone the right to live in paradise? Who are you out there reading this?
I am one of the many sheilas.I gave three years of my life to saving Clayoquot Sound,including a six month jail sentenced to a maxium security prision.The difference in Tofino,we had a community that put their freedom on the line. We are defined by the fact we live on a island,it seems to keep us in fear,I know I closed myself down after getting here because island trust shut down my bed and breakfast and told me on five acres I could not provide housing for the ones in need. I mean I live like the queen of apple blossom estate....and I feel guilty. I feel the pain on Hornby,overrun and the tourist god bless them are hungry for what they think we have community and yet we do not know ourselves as a community. I find myself lost here.
I wish I knew this island like the way Marcus did or Doug or any of the elders. My dream for here is to feel safe enough to share my talents.
The land does not belong to us.
All My Relations
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