Seconded. Yes, you'll get a cheerful wacko faction, but citizen involvement is key getting buy-in for any collective (and potentially difficult) decisions. Especially in the current divisive clime. The only way for extreme right-wingers to disown any collective input and the resulting action is to not take part. And if you've disavowed the society and it's collective decisions, your shouting won't be taken seriously.

It's easy to be cynical and negative when you just see the surface. It's more difficult when you're more familiar with the issues, what your fellow ciitzens want and the resources available... and when you see stuff happening.

It's not going to be easy (hoo boy - come to a Toronto community input meeting!) but it will be interesting.