Scanned, recopied or Internet copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections: Opening comments: More at the end. The CANCER on Democracy Developing in City halls - BANNING those who are Mississauga News - Jun 23, 2006 - Letter to Editor - By Ursula Keuper-Bennett, Mississauga, was a Candidate for Ward 1. Voice denied Dear Editor: Re: "Public voice denied," The News, June 9 edition. Timeline: Friday, June 3 -- 17 arrested as suspected terrorists, including "The Mississauga Six." Monday, June 5 -- The Mississauga News reports that Mayor Hazel McCallion described the relationship between the City of Mississauga and the Muslim community as positive and said that meeting with representatives of the city's dozen mosques will provide all involved an opportunity to share ideas and concerns. Wednesday, June 7 -- Mississauga City Council slammed the lid on a tradition going back to 1976, the open question period. This opportunity was unique to the GTA and guaranteed Mississauga residents genuine access to their municipal leaders and allowed them to speak at any meeting on any topic. Why? Because open question period could even be viewed as a citizen's best way to share ideas and concerns. Now it's gone. Your editorial states, "In a city that prides itself on openness it is hypocritical to quash the voice of dissenting interests." Or, the voices of all involved to share ideas and concerns. [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |
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