After the jump is the speech I gave to Waterloo City Council on Monday. The meeting itself was written up in the Chronicle, but I don’t think the quote from me totally sums up what I was trying to say (you know, newspaper quotes…).
I’ve mostly been complaining about the media and the residents’ associaton here and on WWBA. It took me a bit to figure out what to say to council.
Do you read Seth Godin’s blog? You should read today’s post, particularly if you’ve been following the HUG thing.
Which statement do you think is more likely to generate the desired response?
I’ve been living here for 50 years! I pay my taxes! This neighbourhood is a disaster and the city needs to do something!
or
I love this neighbourhood and I really like living here. I think it would be really great if more of the people like me who want to live here were able to.
Even if nothing else comes out of this, I hope some people at least learn something from it.
I’ve been moved to write a post about HUG Waterloo on WWBA. It’s a follow-up to a post I did a year ago on the supposed “student ghetto” in the Northdale neighbourhood where Ellen lives.
Ellen and I talked to Jan D’Ailly last night, offering some of the pieces of the puzzle that I’d been missing. We’re a little dubious about coming forward because this could get messy. But Ellen thinks it’s important. I do too, for that matter.
Waterloo council is planning to table a motion related to HUG Waterloo’s proposal, and we’re planning on speaking there, if Ellen’s up for it. Wish me luck.