Category Archives: Municipal

Consider, Municipal, Politics

Could it be so Simple?

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I have never really been able to understand Abbotsford City Council’s spendthrift ways, council’s well demonstrated ignoring of the basic infrastructure needs of the city, ignoring even the most basic fiscally responsible or prudent behaviours or council’s wastrel squandering of taxpayer dollars on vanity projects.

I can understand the temptation of ego and the temptation of it being ‘free money’ because it is coming out of someone else’s (the long suffering taxpayers of Abbotsford who will be suffering long into the future) pocket.

One would have thought [hoped, prayed] the novelty would wear off and a sense of responsibility, of ethical behaviour, would have city council acting more as if the money was coming from their own pockets and not as if they had just won the lottery.

Hoped and prayed that council might focus on actions that would address, not worsen, the growing social issues the city is facing or focus on basics like roadways that don’t try to throw you off the road; or roads that are not cratered with holes that like to swallow small automobiles; how about roads with lane markings you can see on the dark, illumination challenged roadways of Abbotsford?

But No; Abbotsford City Hall continued to play with taxpayers money as if taxpayer’s pockets were bottomless.

What is, or could be, going on within the confines of  Abbotsford City Hall ? Low oxygen content? Environment contamination?

And then, in a Thrift Store, I came across an item that would explain mayor, council and staff’s behaviours.

Until I found it in a Thrift Store I did not know the Game of Abbey-Opoly existed.

But The Game’s play within the confines of Abbotsford City Hall explains so much!

Mayor and city council spend taxpayer’s dollars as if they were play money because mayor and council cannot understand the difference between playing the Game of Abbey-Opoly and managing the City of Abbotsford.

Explaining why the mayor and council cannot grasp the value of taxpayer dollars, the needs – not wants – of the city and its citizens or the reality of homelessness.

Issues, Municipal

Jubilee Park – this could be Interesting.

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This could be Interesting

When deputy city manager Jake Rudolph made the statement “I think we are at a stage now that it is going to have to end” about the camp in Jubilee Park you knew that the city, following its SOP [Standard Operating Procedure], would shortly issue 48 hour notice to the homeless in Jubilee Park to move somewhere else [hopefully somewhere far less public?] within the City of Abbotsford.

Under that SOP once the homeless have relocated from Jubilee Park to another location within Abbotsford the city will, at some point, turn up at the new camp and issue 48 hours notice to move.

Once the homeless have relocated elsewhere with Abbotsford the city will turn up at the new camp and issue 48 hours notice to move. Once the homeless have relocated elsewhere with Abbotsford the city will turn up at the new camp and issue 48 hours notice to move. Once the homeless have relocated elsewhere with Abbotsford the city will turn up at the new camp and issue 48 hours notice to move. Once the homeless have relocated elsewhere with Abbotsford the city will turn up at the new camp and issue 48 hours notice to move. Once the homeless have relocated elsewhere with Abbotsford the city will turn up at the new camp and issue 48 hours notice to move.

And so on and so on and…….

Until the city once again adds to its growing national and international reputation for uncaring incompetence and commits another amazing Stupid that attracts international press attention. Whereupon the city will go into damage control mode – burying its head in the sand hoping that, this time, the problem will go away.

Did you know that during hundreds of thousands of hours of research no Ostrich has ever been observed to bury its head in the sand when confronted with a problem? It turns out the myth about Ostriches burying their heads is just another example of humans anthropomorphizing.

Why it never occurs to the mayor or council or senior staff that repeating actions that experience demonstrated are pointless is …….well pointless, escapes me.

One would think any rational human being, having found themselves in a hole, would stop digging and adopt actions that have been shown to work in addressing homelessness around the world; such as rezoning Community Services housing first proposal.

But then we are speaking of Abbotsford’s mayor, council and staff.

As I said the city’s telling the homeless they had 48 hours to move elsewhere in Abbotsford is business as usual. Yawn.

Where things should get interesting is the city speaking of getting a court injunction.

Given the embarrassing amount of media coverage the city’s prior actions against the homeless have guaranteed will be present at the end of the 48 hours ‘move or else’, it is no surprise the city would try to turn this into a matter of the courts and the law instead of just another embarrassing example of the mayor, council and staffs intransigent incompetence in dealing with homelessness and other growing social issues.

Those who pay attention to history [it really does help avoid repeating mistakes, avoiding new errors and addressing issues] will recall the BC Court of Appeals ruling in December of 2009 on the appeal of a BC Supreme Court ruling where the Appeals Court held “B.C. homeless win right to camp in parks”.

Pivot legal society, the people working with the homeless in Abbotsford to protect the constantly violated charter rights and freedoms Abbotsford’s homeless have as Canadian citizens, are currently suing  Vancouver to assert the right of Vancouver’s homeless to camp in Vancouver city parks.

Vancouver at least can argue it is taking actions to provide housing alternatives.

But Abbotsford?

Well your honour, it is true that in the past year Abbotsford harassed the homeless until they congregated on Gladys Avenue and then used chicken feces as a poor man’s bio-weapon against the homeless. And it is true that council is currently stalling, stumbling and scrambling to find an excuse to refuse $2.5 million [plus hundreds of thousands of yearly dollars for services] from BC Housing, as it continues to claim – even with BC Housing present – that the city cannot afford to do anything about homeless housing crying that the provincial government needs to provide funds.

Pivot legal society has two issues to argue in challenging Abbotsford’s municipal government legal right to force the campers in Jubilee Park to leave the Park.

First: the Charter rights of Canadians to protest government actions – and inactions.

Second: that the ruling by the highest Courts in BC that the homeless, were municipal governments have failed to act on housing the homeless (or as is the case in Abbotsford blocked attempts to provide housing), have the right to camp in municipal parks grants the homeless-in-Abbotsford the right to camp in ANY park in Abbotsford including Jubilee.

Which means that mayor and council, with their zeal for ‘shooting themselves in the foot’, could well gain a pyrrhic victory in clearing the camp out of Jubilee Park.

After all why would the homeless camp in Jubilee Park when they have the Court of Appeals declared right to camp in any park in Abbotsford?

Mill Lake has not only lake front footage but plenty of space, gazebos to provide solid cover in the event of driving rain or snow, washrooms, running water……..

Homeless, Issues, Municipal, Politics

Earth to Mayor Banman

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Abbotsford  Mayor Banman:

“I don’t normally comment on these things, but the John Howard Society runs a tight ship and makes sure rules are followed. My guess is there will not be any problems. Studies I have looked at say inmates do much better in homes like these than leaving them to fend for themselves. As a result the public is safer, and just as important the inmates have a support group, find jobs and return to jail far less often.” 

 

Reading Mayor Banman’s comments on the halfway house had a paraphrasing of Mark Twain coming to mind: “Reader, suppose you were an idiot; and suppose you were the mayor of Abbotsford; but I repeat myself”.

The reality of halfway houses:

Vernon’s Mayor Sean Harvey said that the community has tolerated Howard House in its midst long enough. Three parolees at the halfway house operated by the John Howard Society have been accused of murder in the past eight years in Vernon.

In the third incident, Eric Norman Fish was charged with the first-degree murder of 75 year old Bill Abramenko during a home invasion.

In Vancouver high risk sex offender Mervin Walkus walked away from his halfway house. Police advised that Mervin was a high risk to re-offend. Also going missing from halfway houses in Vancouver were high risk sex offenders Owen Joe and James Patrick Benson.

In Kelowna Phillip Lyons, 36 walked away from a halfway house. His criminal record included “attempt robbery, arson for fraudulent purposes, attempt escape, theft, fail to comply, possession of property obtained by crime, utter forged document, fail to appear, fraud, possession of break in instrument, driving while impaired, utter threats and possession of a scheduled substance.”

Mayor Banman is fine with a halfway house in downtown Abbotsford, but housing for Abbotsford’s homeless? Not in downtown Abbotsford!

Moreover, how is it Mayor Banman can read studies “Studies I have looked at…” about halfway houses but cannot be bothered to read studies on Housing First as an approach to ending homelessness?

In light of the reality of halfway houses, Mayor Banman’s statements concerning halfway houses and about housing for the homeless show a degree of ignorance and prejudices that is appalling and totally unacceptable in a mayor or city councillors.

 

For the Record:

I support the John Howard Society’s opening of a halfway house and their chosen location.

It would be hypocritical to advocate the need for effective support for those dealing with mental illness, substance use and homelessness – and deny the need for the same effective support to prisoners seeking to find wellness and life.

It would be easy to argue this is not the ‘right location’ for a halfway house, but the reality is that for a halfway house – or homeless housing –  ‘right location’ is simply a way of saying NIMBY.

Halfway houses are a critical component in risk management and the successful reintegration of a parolee back to the community.

The ‘failures’ and ‘problems’ that arise with halfway houses owe far more to the failure of the corrections system to provide meaningful, effective rehabilitation, life skills and education before prisoners are processed out to halfway houses; and the lack of community based support for those dealing with mental health and substance use issues.

Homeless, Municipal, Other Writers

ABBOTSFORD COMMUNITY SERVICES HOUSING PROPOSAL

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I am on the email list for the City of Refuge. This is from  the new newsletter. I want to say thank you to Jim Burkinshaw for both the excellence of what he wrote and for letting me post it to mt sire.

Well, it’s been awhile since our last newsletter!  Summer holidays and organizing the second annual “Abbotsford Christian Ministry Leaders” breakfast meeting conspired to keep me away from my newsletter duties. Researching the ACS housing proposal has also been an ongoing project and is the topic of this newsletter (it’s timely too since this is ‘Homelessness Action Week’).  I believe that the Christian community can be significantly involved in providing housing for people who have, for one reason or another, lost theirs and are living on our streets.  Abbotsford Community Services has worked hard to put together the following proposal:

What is the proposal?

Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) is proposing  a 21 unit “low barrier” apartment-type building at 2408 Montvue Avenue (on the same property as their existing offices).  This is not a temporary emergency shelter but rather ‘home’ for men who need a hand back up.  The units are self-contained and the men will pay rent.

Who is paying for this?

Our provincial government, through BC Housing, is providing $2.4M in capital funding plus operating funding in the amount of $215,000 annually on an ongoing basis.  ACS has contributed the land at no cost.  If the rezoning application is approved, the City of Abbotsford has provided a road dedication for a portion of Montvue Ave.

What is ‘low barrier’?

Low Barrier is a term used to mean that the residents do not have to be clean and sober before being considered as a tenant.  It will not operate a needle exchange as was once rumoured.

Why not ‘clean and sober’?

Alcohol and/or drugs are part of what led to homelessness in the first place. If we ask men to ‘clean themselves up’ before we offer to help with housing it is possible that in some cases it may make success more difficult; like asking a patient to ‘get better’ before going to see the doctor.  They will however be asked to sit with staff to develop, and commit to, an individualized plan that will help them achieve stability, wellness and independence. (Note: It is definitely possible to help men towards sobriety without providing housing first and abstinence-based methods can certainly be effective as well; housing-first is just one more way that works for some individuals).

Is this a good location?

To get the right combination of funding, programs, support and location is very difficult and any combination will have strengths and weaknesses.  One key is the proximity to ACS and the supervision and services that they will be offering.  ACS has a long history of helping people deal with challenges, getting back on their feet, rejoining their families and the community as healthy, contributing members.

Is the proposed building in the appropriate zoning area? 

This proposal is right on the border of acceptable zoning; if it was on the other side of the street (McDougall) it would no longer be within the ADBA (Abbotsford Downtown Business Association) and C7 zoning area. However, rezoning is applied for on a regular basis by business owners, farmers, developers and home-owners for many reasons; rezoning applications are an intentional tool designed to allow for minor discrepancies or opportunities that the broader, generalized, zoning rules did not foresee when they were put in place (the C7 Zoning by-law was passed 12 years ago).

Will this cause an undue ‘concentration’ of problems in downtown Abbotsford? 

Some business owners are concerned about this; others are not.  However, these men are already on our streets; not all downtown of course but many of them frequent the downtown area and some do sleep in our doorways and back alleys right now.  But this is not just a downtown issue and under this proposal 20 men will no longer be ‘homeless men’;  they will be ‘men with a home’  and will be in the process of re-building their lives.  Studies of areas where this type of housing has been provided clearly show a decrease in criminal activity, hospital emergency room visits and calls to police.  Based on other facilities like this it should provide a positive solution towards reducing homelessness and at the same time protect local businesses.

What was New Westminster’s Experience?

New Westminster had a  similar situation and they were referred to me as an example. I talked to two different businesses in New West; both were in the immediate vicinity of theUnion Gospel Mission drop-in centre and a 23-unit low-barrier apartment operated by the Lookout Emergency Aid Society. Both said that they did not have any significant problems associated with the proximity of low barrier housing in their neighborhoods.  I also contacted the New Westminster Business Improvement Association and was told that they had no complaints from their members (“and we would certainly hear about it if there were!”).  Their spokesperson went on to say that there was a good rapport between businesses and the apartments, that they worked together and that the men from the units kept all of the downtown streets clean (some of the men are paid a modest amount to pick up litter in the downtown area 3 days a week in a program called ‘EyesOnTheStreet’).  Several businesses in the area also donate to the housing organizations.  Andy Bradshaw, President of the New Westminster BIA confirmed the above and added that success will depend on the organization overseeing the housing units as well as the supports and conditions in place.  He said that housing serves as a stepping stone and that many of the men now had jobs and were now part of society.

Isn’t ‘rebuilding your life’ a pretty tough challenge?  What assurance is there that this will happen?

Nothing is guaranteed; but ‘housing- first’ projects like this have been shown to provide the best chance for success.  Once someone is in off the street, safe, dry and part of a supportive network with a permanent fixed address  the hard work of rebuilding can begin.  The men will first need to apply for housing, they will then be assessed to ensure that they are eligible and that they understand and agree to expectations.  It is true that some people are not ready to change; the men selected however will be those who want  to rebuild their lives, who are willing to follow the rules and the plan and who just need a hand up.

What rules? What plan? 

There will be strict rules regarding conduct both inside and outside the building.  A Good Neighbour Committee made up of representatives from ACS staff, local business owners and residents will address any problems; repeated and unresolved problems will result in a tenant being asked to leave.  There is a suite for a caretaker and the building and property will be supervised 24 hours a day, every day.  No visitors will be allowed in the units at any time; all socializing will be in the common rooms on the main floor. Each man will also sit down with ACS staff and develop an individual plan around such things as addiction recovery, counseling , advocacy, job training and employment; if anyone decides they do not want to follow their plan they will be helped to find other accommodations.  There is currently a Supportive Housing Committee that gives input and advice on operations, intake, etc.  It is comprised of ACS staff and representatives from theAbbotsford Police Department, The Salvation Army, Kinghaven Treatment Centre, the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley, support workers and mental health and addictions practitioners.

Will men be brought in from outside Abbotsford?

Decisions regarding eligibility will be made locally with representatives from ACS staff as well as addictions and mental health practitioners.  The goal is that the units will be ‘Abbotsford-first’.  It is estimated that currently there are between 80 and 100 homeless men in Abbotsford (and many more ‘near homeless’).  In a ‘straw poll’ at the Abbotsford Food Bank 9 out of 11 currently homeless men who were asked said that they would be willing to be part of this project, including the rules that govern it.

Who is ACS? Are they qualified to do this?

ACS was founded by Abbotsford residents 44 years ago and serves over 40,000 people each year. 350 staff and 1,400 volunteers make possible 80 programs and services to single parents, newcomers to Canada, seniors; anyone in need.  They operate the Abbotsford Food Bank, Abbotsford Mission Recycling Program, the Family Centre, The Parenting Place, Extreme Weather shelter program as well as counseling programs (including addiction), adult education, job training and help finding employment; all in over 55 languages.  ACS was selected by BC Housing, together with the City of Abbotsford, to operate the project.

Why should Christians consider this project?

Isaiah 58,  Matthew 5:7…Micah 6:8… literally hundreds of times throughout the Scriptures it is clear that followers of Christ have a mandate to help those in need.

God gives a pretty comprehensive list through Isaiah (Ch. 58, summarized)….

“..loose the chains of injustice
…untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free  and break every yoke.
…share your food with the hungry
…provide the poor wanderer with shelter
…when you see the naked, clothe them,
…do away with the yoke of oppression
…spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
…satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
…you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

How can you respond?

1. Pray
2. Attend the public forum on Friday, November 15th at the University of the Fraser Valley to find out more
3. Attend the Public Hearing and respectfully share your views.  Dates for the Public Hearings have not been announced yet.
4. Write to our Mayor and City Councillors; letters carry weight.

The best letters to Council are:

1. Hand-written; it shows a lot of thought and care.  But if you can’t do a handwritten letter don’t let that stop you; a good old-fashioned computer will also work.
2. Short and to the point; only address the issue at hand.
3. Factual; don’t write anything that you do not know for certain is true.
4. Written in your own words; letters that are obviously ‘boiler plate’ carry little weight.
5. Respectful in choice of words and tone; no negative comments about anyone taking an opposing view on the issue.

Letters can be addressed to (please c.c. ACS. You will be sent an acknowledgement of receipt):

City of Abbotsford
Attention: Mayor and Council,
32315 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford, BC  V2T 1W7

Phone/Fax
Phone:    604-853-2281
Fax:        604-853-1934

A group email can be sent to the Mayor and Council:

www.abbotsford.ca > mayor & council > city council > email mayor and council

Business, Homeless, Issues, Municipal, Politics

Vote With Your Pocketbook

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From the beginning of the ADBA’s ‘it is a good idea in someone else’s backyard’ reaction to Abbotsford Community Services proposal to use Housing First principles to begin to reduce the number of homeless on the streets of Abbotsford, people have spoken to me of not only no longer making the effort to shop downtown, but of not shopping downtown Abbotsford period.

They have also been urging family and friends to not shop downtown Abbotsford businesses; some have even spoken of publicly calling for a boycott of downtown businesses.

Given that the ADBA is using ‘bad for business’ as part of the rational for their NIMBYism there is….justice….involved in imposing a cost for their behaviour.

I did caution that they needed to remember that not all businesses or residents in downtown Abbotsford oppose the ACS housing proposal; pointing out that some have stated their opposition to the ADBA position while others have written thoughtful, compassionate letters in support of the housing ACS wants to build.

This past week several people speaking of calling for a boycott of downtown businesses responded that ‘you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette’ to justify harming the supportive businesses in their zeal to penalize those opposing this badly needed housing.

When I pointed out the ethical holes in that behaviour they stuck to ‘you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette’, challenging me to come up with a solution that would let people boycott the businesses that oppose the ACS proposal, but that would protect the businesses that support the ACS proposal..

Hmmmm. Interesting challenge, how do you go about separating wheat (those who support housing) from the chaff (the NIMBY faction)?

Two options came to mind as I considered how to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The anti-housing downtown businesses have the petition to signify where they stand; clearly those who support housing need a poster, such as above, that they can display to signify their support of the ACS housing proposal.

Another option, although there is nothing preventing both options being used together, is for those who support the ACS housing proposal to email the editor at Abbotsford Today which would permit the posting of a list of downtown businesses who support the ACS housing proposal.

These options would provide information to permit citizens to impose negative economic consequences on those downtown businesses opposing housing for the homeless and permitting citizens to shop those downtown businesses who support reducing the numbers of homeless on the streets of Abbotsford.

These options would also shine a light into the black hole of the ADBA, revealing just which businesses/businessmen are responsible for the ADBA NIMBY stance. Information that may prove quite enlightening.