DNV disbands some advisory groups
North Shore News
June 8, 2007
By: Tessa Holloway
EXCERPT

The District of North Vancouver has decided it doesn't need citizen advisers in budgets, animal welfare, community services or child-care grants.

The citizen advisory committees in those areas were disbanded by council Monday night while three other committees, the golf facilities advisory committee, the parks and natural environment committee and the joint bicycle advisory committee all went to review.

A staff report described many of the committees as polarized, dysfunctional, having members advocating for groups instead of citizen interests or, in some cases, simply no longer needed. The report called for all to be scrapped, saying some would better be served by other advocacy reference bodies or temporary citizens groups.

An army of committee members showed up to protest the move...

"I don't want to squelch the public involvement process, I want people to be encouraged to come out and talk to us so I want to have a discussion with them," said Muri.

The motion passed with only Coun. Robin Hicks opposing. Coun. Alan Nixon was absent.