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Council epitomizes new word definition

NANAIMO: Re: City plans to remove two century-old dams, Nov. 1.

To the Editor,

Re: City plans to remove two century-old dams, Nov. 1.

I recently learned a new word, literally new, that has just been added to the Oxford Dictionary; ‘Omnishambles’ defined as, “a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations.”

While originally coined to describe ongoing public relation blunders, gaffes and perceived mismanagement of the British government, it immediately struck me the word could easily apply to mayor, council and those city staff with the power to inform in Nanaimo.

A perfect and current example of an omnishambles would be the issue of removing Colliery dams. A decision once again made behind closed doors with no public input and raising the ire of citizens.

When will they learn?

Now that Nanaimo actually has a working communication manager – met him, like him – I have to wonder if or how much input he had into council’s decision to forgo public participation?

Communication and transparency have been catch phrases for this council, and yet, they have had by far more in camera meetings and made more decisions in private, with no consultation to or from the public, than any other council I can remember.

There is another definition, by Albert Einstein, that would also apply equally as well as omnishambles; insanity – doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

When will they learn and how much will it cost us before they do so?

Gordon W. Fuller

Nanaimo