Regarding 'Aerotropolis'

2011 was a year of shifts for me. Especially in regards to how I saw my participation in my community.

As a result of my efforts with Town Halls Hamilton, I became much more aware of 'issues'. Fundamental, Life-changing issues connected to the city in which we live.

Topping my list was 'Aerotropolis'. Or AEGD, the Airport Employment Growth District.

Not just for the obvious debate, but as the latest experiment in how issues are played out. Specifically, the parts we as Hamiltonians get to play in the process of re-imagining our city.

Because I'm not convinced that we have a good paradigm in place within which we can find genuine collaboration with our councillors, with City staff, with other levels of government, and with developers. Witness the unnecessary demolition of the Century Theatre on Mary Street at the beginning of 2010, of the Pan Am Games Stadium site selection process, of the Velodrome débacle, of the HWDSB/Mac project controversies, of school closings, of focusing on 'walkability' in our city...even in 'Peggygate 2' and the censuring of Mayor Bratina.

In 2012, we find ourselves in the bewildering position of having unparalleled access to information. Information about issues and projects and developments that impact our lives. And the ability to comment and discuss this information via social media. Yet despite this access, despite the avenues of exchange, we're consistently handcuffed by tradition. The 'tradition' of our non-participation in the decision-making process. Thrown into this mix is lip-service being paid, patronization being bestowed, and false commiseration and consultation being provided. Not to mention complicity on our part in allowing the 'adults' to send us to our collective room while business is taken care of.

I declare this not to levy blame or cast judgement on our Council. I do so to point out that there's actually nothing that prevents us, 'we, the people', from demanding our due. From releasing ourselves from our traditional handcuffs. From taking our place at the table.

After all; it's our table.

Our crisis-category infrastructure deficit aside, I believe that Aerotropolis is the most critical issue before us. And yet the degree of public awareness about it, the dearth of broad-based dialogue on the streets is disheartening.

All things considered, keeping in mind the staggering ramifications attached to its implementation, we simply haven't as yet seen the kind of public discussion it deserves. This is no slap against those who have been toiling in the trenches, the stalwarts at CATCH, Environment Hamilton, Hamiltonians for Progressive Development, the Hamilton Civic League, amongst others. When the audience you're trying to get to listen isn't active enough to readily respond to a tap on the shoulder, then the battle to rally them into the same room for some genuine discussion is as massive an undertaking as putting the brakes on a project such as Aerotropolis.

So from my vantage point, looking at a picture much bigger than just this development, we have a brilliant opportunity to free ourselves from our handcuffs not just for the identifiable elements at stake, but for future situations. And while I may be in the minority here, I see that as an even more important goal.

With this in mind, please take a look at some of these links, courtesy of John Wilbur. Then be generous in passing them around. Inform yourself, inform your neighbours. Let's raise the level of debate in Hamilton. Let's start a new tradition  of participation in our governance, one of our own design.

M Adrian Brassington