ROTHENBURGER – The big difference between listening and empowering -- “We’ll listen to you but that doesn’t mean we’ll do what you say.”
ENGAGEMENT, CONSULTATION AND TRANSPARENCY are big words in governments at all levels right now. Issues like pipeline expansion, electoral reform and First Nations rights come to mind but let’s stick close to home. The McArthur Island issue has made Kamloops City council sensitive to the meaning of communication with citizens. There’s another important word to add to the list — empowerment. It means giving someone the authority to do something. At this week’s Kamloops City council meeting, during a report from Communications Manager Wendy Heshka about recent “engagement” activities, Counsellor Bill Sarai urged — in view of the experience — that people be told their input “is just part of the bigger picture.” He called public engagement “a double-edged sword.” Mayor Ken Christian has said, “There’s a big difference between not listening and not agreeing.” So, expect some sort of warning on the City’s website which, translated, will mean “We...