Because the GNA is not currently recognized as the representative organization for Gonzales, we are limited in how effective we can be in representing our neighborhood. We also receive no funding from the city (unlike other neighbourhood associations that are officially recognized), and we are fully funded by donations only.

Attempts to discuss issues of interest or concern to the neighbourhood with the city planning department as well as attempts to meet with developers proactively have been met with resistance because we are not officially recognized by the city.

In order to be able to interact with stakeholders effectively, the GNA must be recognized officially.

A recent City of Victoria survey asked residents to consider

three potential options as to which association should recognize Gonzales:

1) Separate Gonzales from the Fairfield Gonzales Neighbourhood

Association (FGCA) so that it has its own association.

2) Have Gonzales merge with Rockland for land planning purposes

3) Have Gonzales remain under the FGCA for land planning

purposes - status quo

64% of respondents indicated that they wanted a change from the current situation.

Help us tell council that Gonzales needs its own association

Tell council that you would like to see a separate association in Gonzales.

Check off your reasons for wanting a separate association and/or add your own.

Councillors@victoria.ca

MayorandCouncil@victoria.ca

Dear Mayor and Council,

I am writing to express my support for the Gonzales Neighbourhood Association (GNA) assuming the role of the representative organization for Gonzales and separation of Gonzales from the Fairfield Gonzales Neighbourhood Association (FGCA).

The reasons I support this action include:

Currently, Fairfield/Gonzales has over 17,000 residents and geographically extends from the downtown core to the Oak Bay Border. This is too large an area to be effectively managed by the one association, and in 2002, it was recognized by the city that the geography and population of Fairfield and Gonzales were too big and diverse to be addressed through one neighbourhood plan.

Gonzales is, and always has been, under-represented on the FGCA board, and issues that are of importance to Gonzales are generally a lower priority than those of Fairfield.

The funding provided by the City for Gonzales is not being used to support Gonzales, and for projects such as the Gonzales mapping project and the traffic calming project around Glenlyon Norfolk School, Gonzales residents have had to apply for separate grants from the City.

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