New Westminster sold Annacis island, didn't know what to do with it I guess. Delta sure did and look at the tax they generate from it.

Mistake I guess. Why drag that up…

Tax my future.

N.W.

Good decisions are based on sound information. If good decisions about the future of the City are to be made, an acknowledgement of the past is required; as examples, I offer the Chinese request for an apology for past discrimination (though it should be done with reference to the social norms of the day); or the decision to develop the waterfront diverting public monies to that project to the exclusion of other pressing civic needs; or the past agreement between the City and the School Board to knowingly build the City's new high school on the old Douglas Road cemetery (contrary to the laws on the book in that era) – fifty years later, the decisions of those people have created political instability and chaos for our children today.

It was Jocelyn, comment #3, who stated: "Surely there’s a middle ground to find in our history, where we can make sure the stories are told and heard, and move into the future wiser for it." I couldn't agree with her more which is why I believe that to achieve "middle ground", acknowledgement of the aforementioned examples (and many others, etc.) should take form and be delivered through a non-emotive accounting of historical fact. Within proper 'historical' context, knowing who decided what and when, and why they made certain decisions, will help to inform the direction that is necessary to address the needs of today and tomorrow.

At this juncture, an important distinction needs to be made between 'acknowledgement of past wrongs' and 'ownership of past wrongs' – they are not at all the same thing. As the old cliche goes: if we don't understand the mistakes of our past, we will be doomed to repeat them. I want better than what is today for tomorrow's generations. I do not believe that we are culpable for past mistakes but we are and will be accountable for our own mistakes. As Will so eloquently stated: "We are innocent victims, perpetrators and bystanders all at once." I really like the way he phrased that!

From comment #5 (mine): " … [U]ntil past grievances are acknowledged and put to rest, the successes can not properly shine. Acknowledgement is a good first step to achieving our yet-to-be fulfilled promise." May future generations look upon today's actions and decisions as being part of an optimistic quest for a higher social justice and improved livable family communities. I would very much like for New Westminster's future successes to shine brightly for all.

- a New Westminster lifer

Should we really drag the population, most of whom are new to this town, through some kind of public reconciliation to a past that very few identify with? I think we should instead plan for the future of this city. We have done too much naval gazing and hand wringing about our past in my opinion.

Now, I am a historical society member and an avid history lover myself but that is a hobby, not a proscription for public policy. We need to answer issues of sustainability, infrastructure, family living, communication, civic involvement and employment. We need to usher our city into a place where it can nurture and sustain the families that will live here in 2015, 2025 and beyond.

About the past: there is a temptation by some to paint a bold and rosy picture of our past in the 1800s, 1940s, 60's etc and give a Norman Rockwell impression to the times. This is wrong but thankfully this view is in the vast minority. It is equally wrong, I think, to apply the revisionists lens in the other direction, blaming the real and imagined ills of the world at the feet of those in the past as if they had some kind of malicious, or even conscious will. This nations history is made up of shades of gray. Compromises, challenges, accidents, good men, evil men, advancements, stonewalling, inclusiveness, segregation, inspiration and backward thinking. The notion that the very foundations of our town or nation is morally bankrupt or wrong simply because it came into being must be rejected.

While the social justice of our past does not measure up to what we know as acceptable today, we need to remember that it was one of the most tolerant societies that existed in that time. We also should remember that the institutional tolerance and social guarantees we enjoy today are a direct evolution of the philosophical practices forged in those times and by those peoples. Further, we have to acknowledge that with continued immigration, the mixing of peoples and the dynamic nature of society and our electoral 'polis', we are not those times and have no culpability for them. We are innocent victims, perpetrators and bystanders all at once.

It is a well-established pattern for New Westminster politicians to continually trot out the fact that Colonel Moody chose this site above any other to settle (based on the fact that its geographic location and topographic features appeared most promising). This is what enables politicians to perpetually justify reiterating the promise of a great future, and many without actually accomplishing anything or even presenting a coherent plan to achieve such promise. To go one step further, I predict that the mantra of "unfulfilled promise and great things to come" is a pattern that will continue to be oft repeated, most specifically, in future political promises.

Honestly, would you want to be anywhere else when so much promise is yet to be fulfilled? Please, do forgive the cynicism (it stems from the fact that I do not belong to the under-35 crowd), but do consider the message; we may very well be on a precipice that will lead to great change. Acknowledging New Westminster's past should involve a comprehensive and honest examination of all of the good and all of the bad, in proper social context, so that current and future generations can achieve closure for the errors of the past, and more importantly, so that we can move forward avoiding a repeat of regrettable political mistakes while building on acknowledged successes. To put it another way, until past grievances are acknowledged and put to rest, the successes can not properly shine. Acknowledgement is a good first step to achieving our yet-to-be fulfilled promise.

I will have future generations of family affected by the actions you people take now to advocate for your own children. I have faith in the promise of your vitality and passion. Good luck.

So my question to you would be, what do you think New West's future (and a celebration of that future) will look like 'if we acknowledge the truth of the past?' And what does 'acknowledging the truth of the past' look like?

This is a lovely call to action. I hope lots of people answer it.