Diversity in the West End? Forget about that, says Randy Helten. Most of the individuals who are different from WEN's notion of the demographics of the neighbourhood are nothing more than stereotypes, apparently.

Last night there was a story on Global about the annual about the Celebration of Light fireworks competition that is slated to begin tonight. In it, there were comments from MLA Spencer Herbert and Brenty Granby of the West End Resident’s Association regarding tolerance for the diversity of the neighbourhood (refer to CivicScene’s Quote of the Day for Granby’s quote). This is of course in consideration of several gay bashings that have occurred in the West End over the past few years.

Now, juxtapose those utterances with the content of this letter from Randy Helten, the “spokesperson” of the West End Neighbours (WEN) group, and you will see how narrow the viewpoints of some lining up against the Mayor and Council truly are.

In the letter, Helten urges the Mayor to “amend its [Mayor’s West End Community Advisory Committee] terms of reference before the City calls for applicants.” Why? Because, as Helten goes on to state, “it is important that this proposed Committee be formed properly, as experiences with this Committee will be relevant for and scrutinized by the whole City.”

But here is what really serves as a window into the mindset of Helten and his cohorts:

“There is no role under CityPlan for either a Mayoral or Council advisory committee to oversee planning policy and implementation for a community, and no group of 12 individuals based on stereotypes should serve as the primary advisory body for planning and development decisions affecting tens of thousands of residents, and potentially billions of dollars worth of property investments that could stand for a hundred years.”

Stereotypes? Excuse me? So because the Mayor wants this committee to be as diverse and as representative of the community as possible (renters, owners, different cultural groups, different ages, different sexual orientations, new residents, long-time residents, etc.), Helten characterizes that diversity as nothing more than tokenism.

Absolutely ridiculous.  In fact, it is quite offensive.

To conclude his letter, Helten offers his take on some of the opinions voice by Vision Vancouver Councillors, which he called “incorrect, damaging and divisive.”

How about applying that same kind of criteria to your own utterances, Mr. Helten, which to me sound about as divisive and damaging to setting the framework of a community consultation process as possible.