It's a governance dilemma.
Just how much information should be released to the public?
Will they understand it if it is released?
Perhaps the question keeps local government officials up at night, perhaps not.
"How many people will understand it?
Are we setting a precedent
where
every technical document
is presented and every
armchair expert provides
comment?"
M.Macnabb
Rolke's Morning Star story today, entitled "Duteau details outlined online" exposed that very debate among those in charge of the area's governance, snippets of which follow:
"This is all public information and accessible," said director Doug Dirk, referring to the proposed UV treatment and air scrubbing pilot project planned for the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant.
However, director Mike Macnabb challenged placing the details on the web. "How many people will understand it? Are we setting a precedent where every technical document is presented and every armchair expert provides comment?" he said, adding that may create public confusion.
Wow...what pomposity from an elected official!
The news story continues: "As we put the information out, it could be detrimental."
"We're not in a position of editing those," said Dirk of public documents.
Ahem...certainly a lot of editing has been done to the Summaries of technical documents that led to Master Water Plan 2012.
Indeed most recently, about three RDNO edits occurred (at last count) to the SAC table of non-cost considerations after their content and format was approved by SAC members recently.
The story concludes with the following:
"Filtration could cost between $18 and $36 million, while an ultra-violet treatment and air scrubbing facility would range from $8 to $10 million."
"That's akin to your contractor quoting between 18 and 36 thousand dollars for a new bathroom," grins Kia of GVW's filtration price tag.
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One thing's for sure.
Mr. Macnabb may be struggling with releasing information, but his pomposity needs a serious edit.
He should place Ottawa's Open Government Directive on speed-dial.
Perhaps someone will point out to him the phrase "Citizen Participation" at the diagram's 6 o'clock position.
Good government is built of trust. Obviously the miserable failure of the water referendum tells you all you need to know about "failed" trust; a history of Master Water Plan screw ups and the high costs of potable water in comparison to other jurisdictions contribute to this mistrust. If all decisions are made in my best interests , then show me the data........otherwise you are heading into another failed referendum.
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