Dear Editor
The June 30 issue of the Record reported that a “new bylaw” regarding the operation of food trucks in New Westminster was recently approved by city council.
I am very disappointed to find out about this turn of events, as it affects our community and especially those who live and work in the one block of Queensborough approved for such operations. I am curious to know if anyone in the block was asked about this matter.
Why would our city council approve legislation without prior discussion with residents and businesses affected by this bylaw? I believe that this decision is dictatorial and totally opposed to open governance and transparency. When a zoning bylaw change is to be considered, all property owners within a specific distance of the project property need to be informed of the pending bylaw changes and when the matter will be brought before council.
As well, anyone who feels that they are impacted by the change is allowed to express their opinions before council prior to a vote on the bylaw change.
I believe that this new bylaw did not receive the same consideration and therefore should be struck down until it is brought before all those taxpayers who are directly affected by its passage, not just in Queensborough but throughout the city.
I am not against the approval of food trucks to operate in our city; I am opposed to the lack of openness and transparency of city staff and our city council in their rush to push this legislation through, especially to the disrespect of the taxpayers’ rights and knowledge.
There is an active residents’ association in Queensborough to whom this matter should have been presented and discussed. The people of our community should determine where in the community we would prefer to locate the operation of food trucks, not city staff, many of whom do not live in our community.
Gavin Palmer, New Westminster
