It is hard to believe but the actions of the city just get worse and worse: stupider and lacking in any consideration for people or consequences. Their actions in regards to the residents of the Fraser Valley Inn deserve only contempt.

As I write this (Saturday July 16, 2005, afternoon) I have no clear understanding of exactly what is happening or will happen with the residents of the Fraser Valley Inn. And anyone who reads the Friday Times story (July15) and then the Saturday News NO story (July 16) can only be as confused as I and the residents of the Inn are. I spoke to several of the residents earlier today (Saturday) and all they know is that apparently the are being tossed out into the streets (evicted is to kind a word for the way they are being treated) this weekend.

I am not about to argue that something does not need to be done about the Inn – it clearly does. And if the city needs to use health provisions to get action, fine. Going after the owners is an excellent idea. But their actions in dealing with the residents are unacceptable, even indefensible. No matter the label you apply to the residents of the Inn ( the Times “low-income” in many ways the kindest; a local restaurant owner quoted in the Times calling the Inn a brothel, which would label the residents ******, a comment I will not dignify by actually spelling out said label), they are residents of Abbotsford. Our fellow citizens who deserve to be treated with consideration.

But instead of making a clear statement on the situation spokespeople duck the issue and the Mayor refuses comment to the Times. Failing the duty of care owed to these citizens. Much more important is the fact that it is clear that it is the actions of the city that are causing the residents of the Inn to need to relocate. But rather than accept responsibility for its actions and deal with the consequences of the course the city is following, they deny responsibility and bury their head in the sand. As for the residents being rendered homeless….. why, there is no homelessness problem in Abbotsford – just ask the city, council or the mayor.

So what do I think is owed? Consideration. The city should have been up front and clear what was occurring. Or, if the city did not know what was happening, found out and told those affected. Acceptance of the consequences for its actions. Residents pay rent at the beginning of the month and it appears they will lose half a months rent, a financial catastrophe for them. They are owed compensation. The city can then go after the owners for reimbursement. They are due aid in dealing with any problems that arise with the Social Assistance bureaucracy from this mandated move. They are truly due the city finding them new housing. Perhaps being required to find housing will serve to drive home to city hall, council and the mayor how their actions on low-cost and subsidized housing have made it all but impossible for those who fall on hard times to find a safe, clean affordable place to live while they get back on their feet and move back into “mainstream” society. This is the very minimum the city owes its ( and our fellow) citizens,

Consideration of the consequences of its actions, acceptance of responsibility for the consequences of its actions and doing what is needed to remedy those consequences. This city administration? This council? This Mayor? The chance of this happening brings to mind the expression “A snowballs chance in Hell”.

It seems clear that we need to replace the mayor, council and senior city staff with people of character, some brains, thoughtfulness, compassion and an eye for where the city should be heading into the future. Then we can begin to into a grand city and superb community to live in. Rather than the laughing stock of the Fraser Valley it has become.

Post Script: I came across this, originally a letter to the editor. The update is that the majority of the residents of the Fraser Valley Inn were unable to find other accommodations. They are currently homeless and denied any welfare on the grounds that being homeless prevents them from job searching (as noted homelessness did not prevent me from finding gainful employment) so that even the $185 is denied them. The final Paragraph, in light of the actions the city is currently taking to cleanse Abbotsford of the homeless is even truer today.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Edmund Burke