To Coun. Walker: Secrecy is not necessary

Contrary to the views expressed by Coun. Russell Walker in your (the Herald's) recent article about the Mainland Common recreation centre, secrecy is not a necessary component of the project.

No HRM policy exists stating that the details of a project cannot be shared with the community until the federal government commits money. Even in the recent past, HRM announced its plans for the Harbour Solutions Project without having federal funding in place in advance.

With the secrecy surrounding the Mainland Common project, it is helpful to consider how other communities in Nova Scotia operate. Just last month, the province contributed $10.5 million to build a recreation centre in Lunenburg County. It already has a website in place to get help from the community in lobbying the federal government. Also, in Port Hawkesbury, with full disclosure and a request for support by the municipality, the community mobilized behind the slogan "Believe it!"

As suggested by Coun. Walker, HRM’s slogan seems to be, "Here’s the project we’re building for you – and if you don’t go along, we’ll send the money elsewhere!" It is clear from this sentiment that HRM has no interest in community feedback. HRM will present its plans as a done deal with a take-it-or-leave-it threat.

That’s not democracy and that’s not how you get a community energized and involved in what should be a very exciting project.

Doug Boudreau, Halifax