18 April 1980

“mo Whom It May Concern, On Food and Freedom:
Port Coquitlam saw a-considerable degree of drama at its Monday

night April 14 City Council Meeting, with Speakers objecting to

brevity of time allowed to talk; clapping, “Hear! Hearsi", heckling,

and almost "Boo's” from the audience; neighbours contradicting and
interrupting neighbours; and members of the public angrily shouting
corrections and protests to comments by an Alderman,

It was a time of strong feelings, centering on a street divided
and angry, fearful nearby residents, making their views known on the
possible transfer of 325 acres of agricultural land to an industrial
designation.

Even Mr. George Laking, present Mayor of Port Coquitiam, was
moved to tear out a copy of a 20-name petition from the Agenda documents
and wave it under the nose of a Speaker in the audience.

All this occurred under the eyes of a possibly-startled,
possibly -bemused delegation from the Greater Vancouver Regional District
Planning Committee, invited guests, led by Mr. Jim Tonn, Mayor of
Coquitlam.

Why all the furor? When, why, and how did it all start?
On February 22, 1980; Mr. Jim Tonn, as Chairman of the GVRD

Planning Committee, sent a letter addressed to Port Coquitlam City

Council, advising them that GVRD would be holding a public hearing
at the District of Coquitlam Municipal Hall, March 25, 1980, to allow
members of the public and municipal governments to make known their

views and wishes concerning GVRD's new proposed Regional Plan for the

Lower Mainland, Mr. Tonn's letter states “any publicity you can five