With the growing numbers of homeless on the streets of Abbotsford the competition for a place to find shelter or camp is, like housing market of the lower mainland, highly competitive. So it was only a matter of time of time until some were forced to return to the wooded site dubbed Compassion Park. Since late last year a number of people had been quietly coming and going from these woods in order not to disturb the neighbours or attract the attention of Abbotsford City Hall to their homes, however so humble.
It took several months but once aware of the location these citizens resided at Abbotsford City Hall moved quickly to post No Trespassing signs followed speedily by confiscation of the camper’s meagre possessions. Making the poor a little more destitute, the homeless more homeless and robbing these people, these citizens, of what little protection they had from the terrible downpours of March.
Tents, tarps, bedding and food all gone – without offering any alternative shelter to those so ruthlessly exposed to the pouring rain and cold. One could only wish they would move as speedily on addressing the issues and needs raised by homelessness in Abbotsford.
The speed with which Abbotsford City Hall moved on this matter is hardly surprising since they undoubtedly dreaded the thought of the public and media attention possible following a “rebirth” of Compassion Park. It would highlight their lack of action, of ideas or leadership. Why, the citizens might demand the council cease focusing on building white elephants and focus, even do something, on the “mundane” problems facing the city such as homelessness, water treatment, dikes, run-away property taxes, attracting businesses to diversify the tax base etc.
Leadership, innovation, good business practices, solid management and problem solving you say? Nay, not in Abbotsford! Better we be know as a city without compassion or simple Christian charity than Abbotsford City Hall should actually have to have to think and take action on the City’s pressing issues.
Citizens are left wishing that the next municipal election were only months away so they could vote and thus limit the damage the current occupants of Abbotsford City Hall are inflicting on the City finances and the backlog of pressing problems they are causing by ignoring issues and/or failing to act.
Unfortunately for the lives of the homeless, taxpayers and citizens, Abbotsford City Hall still has lots of time to mire the City in debt, unresolved problems and to continue to inflict misery on the homeless.