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The "Value" of Farmland
From the Sept 12 Delta Optimist......
It is quite obvious that farmland is needed. How the “farmland” is used is the bigger and more important question.
If “farmlands” are under-utilized, or are merely contributing to a commodity market that does not actually feed locals, should they automatically be deemed “valuable”?
The question of farmland value is bandied about loosely in editorial and letters in our local papers and as of a couple of days ago, via a mailer to our front doors. “Valuable farmland” has and will continue to be an ongoing community and election issue - no matter what political stripe is worn.
In reference to the “Southlands” , and when the question of food security is thrown in to the mix and stirred with a good measure of traffic related hysteria, you suddenly have an emotional cocktail that is easily imbibed by a some fear driven Tsawwassen malcontents.
In Tsawwassen, where nothing is good and everything is worthy of scorn, people continue to trip over themselves to build illogical and often ridiculous arguments based on dubious interpretations that point to the evils of man and the impending doom associated with anything that remotely resembles change to a community status quo.
The rhetoric in the commentary never leads to an alternative. The answer, as always, is no. It would seem that for the most part that we are a community of whiners. This paper does not need to do much to stimulate any kind of community discussion. All it has to do is print the twice weekly diatribes of the usual suspects.
Where are the letters from the supporters of the Southlands Community? Presumably there are many considering the turnout at the Charrette and recent very positive Mustel Polling results that support farming within a new community on the Southlands.
The no folks are at the helm here because they are the crankiest....an editors dream scenario. There will always be angry reactions to the idea of change but there is seldom a constructive utterance offered that could contribute to the positive framing of it. Working for compromise is never easy and tends to scare the uninformed or those who are single-mindedly unable to consider alternatives.
“No - Ness” is the mantra of Tsawwassen. It has been born from loving an idea of protest for protest sake. No-Nessors love the concept of “sticking it to the man” and relish in the idea that they are relevant and self important by throwing gears in to the progress of what they believe to be ill conceived human affairs.
These are people that are clearly unable to picture a future where possible benefits would outweigh immediately perceived negatives in community development.
We need to carefully consider change in our community. Anyone who does not not want to participate in an open discussion should write their letter to the editor now, tell us why, and attempt to articulate an alternative plan for a private property owner who is honestly and sincerely trying to build a better community that he and his young family live in. Just saying no and leaving the land as is simply does not cut it. In this case, tell us about the highest and best agricultural use. What does that mean exactly? Think about it carefully. It’s time to move forward.
Mike Schneider
- Mike's blog
- 1015 reads
Here is one from the archives
Every once in a while there are some very interesting letters to the editor in our local papers. This one from the Delta Optimist seems to suggest that our prosperity comes from magic. It suggests that South Deltans need not be concerned about development or enterprise because someone else will look after us, pay our taxes provide services etc.
No big deal Pam.
In fact, the date thing just reinforces the fact that Tsawwassen is in some sort of time warp.
People have been talking about this stuff for eons and it is embarrasing that growth is now not being considered at all because we are all so freakin' special.
Proposals are frowned upon, the community does not research or want to know about anything, and our politicians lack the guts to tell it like it is.
Instead the status quo will apparently prevail in the undermining of this community.
Green houses will win the day on the Southlands and empty nesters will continue to move to Surrey.
The notion of living our life cycles in our own community apparently does not work in Tsawwassen where birds have much greater pull with council and staff than humans do.
Someone should write a book, or better, record the real time demise of a bedroom community that seems to be run by a couple of dozen loud mouths who continue to generalize factless propoganda.
Where is the leadership for our town?
Continuos "turtleling" under pressure is the embarrassing norm in the Tsawwassen bubble.
Haha. Mike, you can ignore my comments submitted last night. Too late for me...too tired to see the date of 2009. Still enjoyed your article though!
Thanks,
Pam
Mike, great article.
I must say I was appalled at the manner in which the "no-nessers" spoke at the recent public hearing on the TAP. While I also may not have agreed with the plan, I was shocked at the lack of respect and childish manner in which those who spoke delivered their message, not to mention the crowd who was, for the majority "no-nessers".
The mayor and council listened and heard what everyone said. They did not deserve the childish comments and personal attacks that were thrown at them. Democracy won and the TAP was scrapped for now and will be re-vamped and another public hearing will happen again in the future.
The speakers that were respectful were few and far between. Anyone that had the guts to speak in favour of the plan were booed. What is wrong with everyone?? Now that this plan is going back to the drawing board (and I agree that is should), I sure hope that some of these "no" people will join the committee and come up with solutions, instead of constantly pointing out problems. If the people of Tsawwassen would be happy to have their taxes increase substantially rather than increase the tax base then so be it. However, you can be sure that this group will cry about that too and still expect the same great services we have in Delta.
As for the Southlands, which was not slated for any change, people keep talking about returning it to the ALR, farming it, etc. Do these people not realize that this is private property? Sean Hodgins is not a farmer, there is no irrigation, farmers do not want to take their large equipment up 56th street, etc. etc. This land is not going to be farmed to any great length! People are whining because Sean Hodgins is putting up a chain link fence around his property! Perhaps I can take my ATV or my dog and ride/walk through some of these "no-nessers" back yard. Would that be okay? Century Group actually wants to give back something like 200 acres in its development proposal to Delta. This land could perhaps then be returned to the ALR. Free land! Unfortunatley, the same problem will still exist...who will farm it?? Farmland or greenspace? If it's greenspace the "no" people want, that's okay, but let's call a spade a spade. Don't try to put unfounded fear in people that there will be no food on the table if it's not farmed. There is more land being farmed in Delta now than there has ever been. These same people have accused the farmers of looking for a handout in this recent rain disaster. TFN has paved over acres and acres of good irrigated farmland that was being farmed productively and none of these "no" people dared utter a word. Was that because it was TFN, or because it was mainly Lander?? All this hypocrisy is just too much. Wake up people. Reality really does need to set in at some point. The only way out of this Southlands mess is compromise.
We live in a great place. Be part of the solution!
Mike...keep up the good work!
Arthur Frallick and Kent Mullinix had interesting things to say about the future of farming and community in the September 25 Vancouver Sun
Thanks Richard.
I guess we differ on opinion and that is fine. At least you are sort of articulating your reasons.
I must admit that I get frustrated when I listen to or read comments from people who have not attempted to understand what is being proposed.You are absolutely right in that there has to be a social cost benefit analysis and that is what is being discussed now.
Virtue and ambition can sometime generate the same positive outcome. I hope that is the case with the Southlands proposals.
Mike
Dear Mike,
After reading your commentary on the weekend, I feel the need for therapy and treatment. It appears that I have been over served too many “emotional cocktails” and have developed a nasty propensity to “no-ness”. You might as well throw a little fear in the mix for added measure, all because I do not favour amending our current OCP to pave the way for a massive residential development on Southlands.
I have yet to see a compelling set of facts where the benefits outweigh the negatives. A well-crafted pamphlet and a charrette process are no substitute for an objective social and financial cost/benefit analysis of this proposal. Call me “malcontent,” but I believe Tsawwassen residents deserve much more, and by all means add me to the “community of whiners” for believing that Southlands’ current agricultural status is tremendously important. The good people of this community should not be maligned for trying to preserve Southlands now and for future generations.
Lastly, my objection to the proposed amendment to the OCP is not about “sticking it to the man,” although the community is aware that Century Group has several hundred million dollars at stake. From my perspective, change is not synonymous with large-scale development and this proposal does have the vibe of ambition rather than virtue.
Richard Whittall
Thanks "ME".
I am a communications consultant and Century Group is one of my clients.
For the most part I designed and built the www.southlandsintransition.ca website. During the course of the SCPT process I was compensated to record the content of the discussions and meetings and post relevant materials as deemed necessary. This included various written content, photos, slideshows and video content.
Today I simply manage and host the site for a nominal fee.
I am not going to tell you my income because it is none of your business but thanks for asking anyway.
In regard to my painting a "negative picture"....that is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it. I personally support the project because i have been to every single meeting over the course of three years and have spent hundred of hours trying to figure it all out. I am strong in my position because i believe in the project just as others are strong in their position because they don't.
Finding some sort of give and take either way is the key here.
I care for my community "ME".....just as you do.
Both sides need to understand that there are indeed two sides. That is the puzzle that needs to be dealt with.
Thanks for contributing. Your voice is important.
Mike
Mike,
Please disclose your income generated from 'marketing' from the Century Group.
Tsawwassen residents would be curious to see the true background to your 'opinions'.
I love how easily you are bought to paint a negative picture of the people of Tsawwassen that truly care for their community.
Kind regards,
ME!
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