Posts
Oct 30
BC minimum wage to increase
This will be a huge benefit to lower income earners and while businesses are concerned about bottom line it will actually allow more disposable income to be spent in those businesses.
Oct 29
Majority of council oppose idea of delaying project
I have learned, after attending on a regular basis over the years, that one should assume nothing when it comes to council making a decision. While I hope that the majority of council stand fast on the housing on uplands they must also as a block agree not to second Bill Bestwick’s motion. If they do this then it will not even be up for discussion/debate.
Yes the communication for this and much f what the city does has not been the best but with a new council we can assure this changes. To put this on hold will be to take a step backwards and who knows whom this might help but who will die while waiting.
Morally they must move forward and once they have then and only then will we be able to look at the other aspects of Nanaimo’s Homeless strategy.
Parksville-Qualicum MLA in hospital after heart attack
I may not always, and of late more often than not, agree with Mr. Cantelon’s politics but I wish him no ill will and a speedy recovery.
Jobs creation emerges as key municipal election issue
Job creation in the city with one of the highest unemployment rates should be at the top of issues in this community but sadly is not. It is unfortunate that a few individuals through spreading fear and misinformation have galvanized so many people into making housing the homeless the real top issue.
Cale Cowan: Time for real discussion on 'wet' houses
Cale, I may not agree at all times with what is said but I do find balance in the editorials and opinions. This is a complex issue that unfortunately gets hijacked by a few to galvanize the many with fear and misinformation. Bottom line for me is I know the housing will save lives.
Showing posts with label Neighbourhoods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neighbourhoods. Show all posts
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
More STUFF IN THE NEWS
Oct 26
Nanaimo dragon boaters battle at AGM
Let folk become members and vote last year and didn't this year? I would want to check the Society's Constitution and bylaws on this one because if they cannot do this according to their bylaws those members that got in at the AGM last year’s should not have voted on anything and on the off chance someone just given membership was elected it was done illegally.
Explosive Lantzville land issue back before council
Will lay odds that the District of Lantzville Council will pass this one. It is sad relly because the issue has become personal. The bylaw proposed is flawed on counts, see my comments to story on 25th, and should be tabled until a new council is chose.
Oct 25
Lantzville Urban Farm bylaw is hotly debated
I went to this and despite being a Nanaimo Resident spoke to the fact that the bylaw is discriminatory. Those not wishing to farm can grow their own food and spread as much raw manure as they like where-as those looking to do small scale farming have to use composted manure. Only one non-resident would be able to work on these farms but yet the same does not apply to any other business and the list goes on.
The proposed bylaw is even more restrictive than Nanaimo's in that it states the land under cultivation for sale "shall not exceed the greater of 600 square metres or 30% of the parcel area." This is all well and good for lots under a quarter of an acre, 600square metres is roughly 15% of an acre, as for these lots the percentage would be far greater than 30% of parcel area. Many smaller lots could actually be entitled to utilize 100% of their properties.
For bigger lots of an acre or more the percentage drops to 15% or lower as the parcel areas grows. Even in Nanaimo lots larger than .6 of an acre can have 25% coverage and this percentage does not reduce as the lot size increase. One would think that in a largely rural area, with larger lot sizes, Lantzville’s bylaw would allow for greater growing area than that of a largely urban area like Nanaimo.
Bottom line; this once again discriminates against those with larger lot sizes. A fairer way of doing this would be to allow larger lots up to 75% for cultivation and sale. This is something I will be bringing up for Nanaimo’s bylaw once I am elected to council.
New CEO reveals ambitious strategy for Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation
“The plan is "very ambitious," according to Mayor John Ruttan.” Details John, details. Don’t get the rationale of the Conference Centre Kiosk. It is located in the dead-zone at the back of the Conference Centre and as for dispensing information about Nanaimo the joint is running at less than 3% capacity. This really aught to attract a lot of tourism, yes I am being sarcastic.
Opinion: Economic Development Plan a necessity
“Priorities addressed during the announcement Monday include finding a builder for a hotel to complement the downtown conference centre and luring a company to the city to run a foot passenger ferry service between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver. Plans include everything from attracting new investment to retaining and expanding local business, increasing tourism and generating jobs.” Wonder how much they are paying for the CEO position? All sounds a lot like what has been tried already and if this is the best they can come up with perhaps I should try and get that job and screw being a City Councilor.
Paul Walton: Money isn't only election issue
It is not about having the money in a vault it is about spending what we do have wisely and in so doing also choosing wisely the things to subsidize. It is about taking much of the excess in that vault and using it to pay down taxes rather than to build facilities that could be refurbished. It is about engaging the public in a real way on the choices we make.
Occupy Nanaimo protesters have no plans to leave downtown
The folks doing this should be proud no matter how long it lasts; they are a part of history in the making.
Bulletin
Coalition puts twist on all candidates meeting
The more All Candidates meetings the better and I have it on good authority that this one in particular will be unlike any other in the past. The site they mention http://democraticnanaimo.blogspot.com/ has potential though as a candidate it will be tough remembering to check it out on a regular basis.
Opinion: Scare tactics don't foster solution
This article does illustrate that homelessness is in all areas of the city. I too have seen the person mentioned as I expect most who have driven in North Nanaimo. He has been in the area for a few years now and I have never heard of him causing any problems.
“Does one portion of society deserve to be given a home courtesy of the taxpayer while others must struggle to make ends meet all on their own?” Giving them a home will actually save the taxpayers money as once housed the person will utilize other services, paid for by the taxpayer, less often. a savings of up to $18,000plus per year.
Oct 24
Newcastle Island serves economic and cultural role
Newcastle Island is one of the jewels in a box of many that Nanaimo has. The cultural history alone, both pre and post colonization, is well worth learning about. When we look at attracting tourism to the city this and the other jewels in the box need to be the focus.
Women's centre supports low barrier housing
As one of those that worked on the ad talked about in this story I sincerely hope that this story will spur the many other organization and citizens in the community to publicly state their support. We cannot allow a few people to spread fear and misinformation gathering others into their misguided endeavours.
Oct 21
Ron Bolin: Pay attention, then get out and vote
Ron is one f the smartest people I know when it comes to city issues and digging for information. Ron attends most council meetings and has since 2002. He is one of only a few, myself included, that take the time to follow what is happening in the city and the processes used by council to make decisions. He will be someone I keep in touch with when I am elected too council
Westwood residents’ concerned restaurant will upset quiet lives
This is a huge issue in the Westwood Lake area involving the Nanaimo Tennis Club wanting to scrap a land use contract in order to open their member only restaurant to the public. While they say it has been so for decades by allowing them to do this the city could open the door for an influx of people coming to the restaurant and the resultant noise there-of. Directly adjacent to the tennis club is Bethlehem Retreat, a place where people come to get away from it all. In my opinion the city should have been monitoring and enforcing this and any other land use contracts. Too often there is disregard on the part of owners simply for added profit.
Oct 19
City looks for feedback with culture strategy
This is an opportunity for the community and groups to get involved in working towards the benefit of Nanaimo. I hope many turn out to give their input.
Regional District hosting open houses to discuss agriculture plans
And yet the District of Lantzville chooses not to be progressive.
Nanaimo dragon boaters battle at AGM
Let folk become members and vote last year and didn't this year? I would want to check the Society's Constitution and bylaws on this one because if they cannot do this according to their bylaws those members that got in at the AGM last year’s should not have voted on anything and on the off chance someone just given membership was elected it was done illegally.
Explosive Lantzville land issue back before council
Will lay odds that the District of Lantzville Council will pass this one. It is sad relly because the issue has become personal. The bylaw proposed is flawed on counts, see my comments to story on 25th, and should be tabled until a new council is chose.
Oct 25
Lantzville Urban Farm bylaw is hotly debated
I went to this and despite being a Nanaimo Resident spoke to the fact that the bylaw is discriminatory. Those not wishing to farm can grow their own food and spread as much raw manure as they like where-as those looking to do small scale farming have to use composted manure. Only one non-resident would be able to work on these farms but yet the same does not apply to any other business and the list goes on.
The proposed bylaw is even more restrictive than Nanaimo's in that it states the land under cultivation for sale "shall not exceed the greater of 600 square metres or 30% of the parcel area." This is all well and good for lots under a quarter of an acre, 600square metres is roughly 15% of an acre, as for these lots the percentage would be far greater than 30% of parcel area. Many smaller lots could actually be entitled to utilize 100% of their properties.
For bigger lots of an acre or more the percentage drops to 15% or lower as the parcel areas grows. Even in Nanaimo lots larger than .6 of an acre can have 25% coverage and this percentage does not reduce as the lot size increase. One would think that in a largely rural area, with larger lot sizes, Lantzville’s bylaw would allow for greater growing area than that of a largely urban area like Nanaimo.
Bottom line; this once again discriminates against those with larger lot sizes. A fairer way of doing this would be to allow larger lots up to 75% for cultivation and sale. This is something I will be bringing up for Nanaimo’s bylaw once I am elected to council.
New CEO reveals ambitious strategy for Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation
“The plan is "very ambitious," according to Mayor John Ruttan.” Details John, details. Don’t get the rationale of the Conference Centre Kiosk. It is located in the dead-zone at the back of the Conference Centre and as for dispensing information about Nanaimo the joint is running at less than 3% capacity. This really aught to attract a lot of tourism, yes I am being sarcastic.
Opinion: Economic Development Plan a necessity
“Priorities addressed during the announcement Monday include finding a builder for a hotel to complement the downtown conference centre and luring a company to the city to run a foot passenger ferry service between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver. Plans include everything from attracting new investment to retaining and expanding local business, increasing tourism and generating jobs.” Wonder how much they are paying for the CEO position? All sounds a lot like what has been tried already and if this is the best they can come up with perhaps I should try and get that job and screw being a City Councilor.
Paul Walton: Money isn't only election issue
It is not about having the money in a vault it is about spending what we do have wisely and in so doing also choosing wisely the things to subsidize. It is about taking much of the excess in that vault and using it to pay down taxes rather than to build facilities that could be refurbished. It is about engaging the public in a real way on the choices we make.
Occupy Nanaimo protesters have no plans to leave downtown
The folks doing this should be proud no matter how long it lasts; they are a part of history in the making.
Bulletin
Coalition puts twist on all candidates meeting
The more All Candidates meetings the better and I have it on good authority that this one in particular will be unlike any other in the past. The site they mention http://democraticnanaimo.blogspot.com/ has potential though as a candidate it will be tough remembering to check it out on a regular basis.
Opinion: Scare tactics don't foster solution
This article does illustrate that homelessness is in all areas of the city. I too have seen the person mentioned as I expect most who have driven in North Nanaimo. He has been in the area for a few years now and I have never heard of him causing any problems.
“Does one portion of society deserve to be given a home courtesy of the taxpayer while others must struggle to make ends meet all on their own?” Giving them a home will actually save the taxpayers money as once housed the person will utilize other services, paid for by the taxpayer, less often. a savings of up to $18,000plus per year.
Oct 24
Newcastle Island serves economic and cultural role
Newcastle Island is one of the jewels in a box of many that Nanaimo has. The cultural history alone, both pre and post colonization, is well worth learning about. When we look at attracting tourism to the city this and the other jewels in the box need to be the focus.
Women's centre supports low barrier housing
As one of those that worked on the ad talked about in this story I sincerely hope that this story will spur the many other organization and citizens in the community to publicly state their support. We cannot allow a few people to spread fear and misinformation gathering others into their misguided endeavours.
Oct 21
Ron Bolin: Pay attention, then get out and vote
Ron is one f the smartest people I know when it comes to city issues and digging for information. Ron attends most council meetings and has since 2002. He is one of only a few, myself included, that take the time to follow what is happening in the city and the processes used by council to make decisions. He will be someone I keep in touch with when I am elected too council
Westwood residents’ concerned restaurant will upset quiet lives
This is a huge issue in the Westwood Lake area involving the Nanaimo Tennis Club wanting to scrap a land use contract in order to open their member only restaurant to the public. While they say it has been so for decades by allowing them to do this the city could open the door for an influx of people coming to the restaurant and the resultant noise there-of. Directly adjacent to the tennis club is Bethlehem Retreat, a place where people come to get away from it all. In my opinion the city should have been monitoring and enforcing this and any other land use contracts. Too often there is disregard on the part of owners simply for added profit.
Oct 19
City looks for feedback with culture strategy
This is an opportunity for the community and groups to get involved in working towards the benefit of Nanaimo. I hope many turn out to give their input.
Regional District hosting open houses to discuss agriculture plans
And yet the District of Lantzville chooses not to be progressive.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Zoning Public Hearing & Lobbying
Busy, busy with this one trying to rally the Neigbourhoods to speak up. The following was sent out to Neighbourhood contacts with a couple of developer letters, opposed, and a couple of Citizen letters, in favour. My latest submission follows with the submission of the developer it refers to following it.
Public Hearing September 8, 2011
Please be advised that ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2011 4500.004 received first and second readings on Monday’s August 22nd Special Council meeting. This bylaw now goes forward to Public Hearing on September 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the Shaw Auditorium, 80 Commercial Street.
Public Hearing Notice Scroll down to ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2011 4500.004
Those that support 8.25 metres in established neighbourhoods need to tell the mayor and council, otherwise there is risk that developers will get their 9 meters. What is fair, is to allow a new height of 9 metres in new developments outside of established neighbourhoods where all properties on the same and adjacent streets will be built to the same scale. .
For those of you who may not be aware, the construction industry is planning to have a large delegation at that public meeting seeking to have council increase the height restriction for single family residential houses from 8.25 metres to 9 metres throughout the city.
If you are in favour of the proposed Amendment to retain the height of the previous Zoning Bylaw 4000 at 8.25 metres, it is important that your opinions be expressed.
This can be done by:
Clicking on the Public Hearing link below and indicating you are "in favour of the proposed Amendment to retain the 8.25 metre Height Restriction"
http://www.nanaimo.ca/PublicHearing/Default.aspx
OR
Sending an electronic submission (email letter to Mayor and Council) at:
mayor.council@nanaimo.ca
OR
You may wish to attend the public hearing in person.
It is important for residents to be heard.
------
My submission:
Honourable Mayor and Council
I am writing this submission in support of ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2011 4500.004
It has been said that the most important purchase an individual or family will make in their lifetime is their home. People purchase for many reasons the most important being the ambiance of the neighbourhood and views.
On reading Ken Connolly's submission I have to say that quite frankly, I was appalled.
Mr. Connolly has referred to the citizens of Nanaimo, who do not support his position, as being "a handful of bullies", he has also stated these citizens "own self-interests blind them to the realities of the world around them".
Pretty strong language, if I do say so. Seems to me if there's a 'bully' in the group he might like to take a look in the mirror and if those self interests are the very reasons they purchased a home in the first place then should it not be so?
As to realities of the world, perhaps Mr. Connolly has been absorbing too much of Donald Trump, on the TV.
The following is the essence of Mr. Connolly's submission, with the position's reversed, from the position of one whose ‘interests’ might be affected if this zoning bylaw were not to pass. It read's as follows;
With utmost respect regarding the complexities of the decisions you are required to make, I urge council to serve ALL members of our community by accepting the arguments of local citizens who wish to roll back the building height increase allowed for in Bylaw 4500.
You are elected to serve the entire community, and not just a few individuals. You are expected to act with due consideration and a vision for the future well being of our community and its citizens.
Evidence abounds that Bylaw 4500, with the proposed amendments, is well reasoned and will help our community to develop in a financially sustainable fashion for years to come. As stewards of public policy in this community you MUST vote for the benefit of the entire city and approve the amendment.
How tragic it would be if we all looked back on this issue and recalled that this council bowed to the pressure from a handful of developers self-focused arguments at this crucial juncture. Please vote now to serve the citizens of the City of Nanaimo, not a handful of people whose own self-interests and quest for profit blind them to the realities of the world around them.
In closing, this is a matter of fairness and in my opinion that’s an issue you have to address by approving the amendment before you.
------
Developer Submission:
Ken Connolly has sent a Public Hearing Submission Online.
Address: 2664 Willow Grouse Rd, Nanaimo
Bylaw Number or Subject Property Address to Which they Are Addressing Your Comments: 4500.004
Comments: Council and Mayor:
With all due respect and with regard for the complexities of the decisions you are required to make, I urge council to serve ALL members of our community by rejecting the self-focused arguments of a very few vocal citizens who wish to roll back the building height increase allowed for in Bylaw 4500. You are elected to serve the entire community, and not just a few individuals. You are expected to act with due consideration and a vision for the future well being of our community. Evidence abounds that Bylaw 4500 is well reasoned and will help our community to develop in a financially sustainable fashion for years to come. As stewards of public policy in this community you MUST vote for the benefit of the entire city. How tragic it would be if we all looked back on this issue and recalled that this council bowed to the pressure from a handful of bullies at this crucial juncture. To have done so will be to have betrayed your entire constituency by saddling present and future taxpayers with yet higher taxation. Please vote now to serve the City of Nanaimo, not a handful of people whose own self-interests blind them to the realities of the world around them.
Sincerely:
Ken Connolly
Public Hearing September 8, 2011
Please be advised that ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2011 4500.004 received first and second readings on Monday’s August 22nd Special Council meeting. This bylaw now goes forward to Public Hearing on September 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the Shaw Auditorium, 80 Commercial Street.
Public Hearing Notice Scroll down to ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2011 4500.004
Those that support 8.25 metres in established neighbourhoods need to tell the mayor and council, otherwise there is risk that developers will get their 9 meters. What is fair, is to allow a new height of 9 metres in new developments outside of established neighbourhoods where all properties on the same and adjacent streets will be built to the same scale. .
For those of you who may not be aware, the construction industry is planning to have a large delegation at that public meeting seeking to have council increase the height restriction for single family residential houses from 8.25 metres to 9 metres throughout the city.
If you are in favour of the proposed Amendment to retain the height of the previous Zoning Bylaw 4000 at 8.25 metres, it is important that your opinions be expressed.
This can be done by:
Clicking on the Public Hearing link below and indicating you are "in favour of the proposed Amendment to retain the 8.25 metre Height Restriction"
http://www.nanaimo.ca/PublicHearing/Default.aspx
OR
Sending an electronic submission (email letter to Mayor and Council) at:
mayor.council@nanaimo.ca
OR
You may wish to attend the public hearing in person.
It is important for residents to be heard.
------
My submission:
Honourable Mayor and Council
I am writing this submission in support of ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2011 4500.004
It has been said that the most important purchase an individual or family will make in their lifetime is their home. People purchase for many reasons the most important being the ambiance of the neighbourhood and views.
On reading Ken Connolly's submission I have to say that quite frankly, I was appalled.
Mr. Connolly has referred to the citizens of Nanaimo, who do not support his position, as being "a handful of bullies", he has also stated these citizens "own self-interests blind them to the realities of the world around them".
Pretty strong language, if I do say so. Seems to me if there's a 'bully' in the group he might like to take a look in the mirror and if those self interests are the very reasons they purchased a home in the first place then should it not be so?
As to realities of the world, perhaps Mr. Connolly has been absorbing too much of Donald Trump, on the TV.
The following is the essence of Mr. Connolly's submission, with the position's reversed, from the position of one whose ‘interests’ might be affected if this zoning bylaw were not to pass. It read's as follows;
With utmost respect regarding the complexities of the decisions you are required to make, I urge council to serve ALL members of our community by accepting the arguments of local citizens who wish to roll back the building height increase allowed for in Bylaw 4500.
You are elected to serve the entire community, and not just a few individuals. You are expected to act with due consideration and a vision for the future well being of our community and its citizens.
Evidence abounds that Bylaw 4500, with the proposed amendments, is well reasoned and will help our community to develop in a financially sustainable fashion for years to come. As stewards of public policy in this community you MUST vote for the benefit of the entire city and approve the amendment.
How tragic it would be if we all looked back on this issue and recalled that this council bowed to the pressure from a handful of developers self-focused arguments at this crucial juncture. Please vote now to serve the citizens of the City of Nanaimo, not a handful of people whose own self-interests and quest for profit blind them to the realities of the world around them.
In closing, this is a matter of fairness and in my opinion that’s an issue you have to address by approving the amendment before you.
------
Developer Submission:
Ken Connolly has sent a Public Hearing Submission Online.
Address: 2664 Willow Grouse Rd, Nanaimo
Bylaw Number or Subject Property Address to Which they Are Addressing Your Comments: 4500.004
Comments: Council and Mayor:
With all due respect and with regard for the complexities of the decisions you are required to make, I urge council to serve ALL members of our community by rejecting the self-focused arguments of a very few vocal citizens who wish to roll back the building height increase allowed for in Bylaw 4500. You are elected to serve the entire community, and not just a few individuals. You are expected to act with due consideration and a vision for the future well being of our community. Evidence abounds that Bylaw 4500 is well reasoned and will help our community to develop in a financially sustainable fashion for years to come. As stewards of public policy in this community you MUST vote for the benefit of the entire city. How tragic it would be if we all looked back on this issue and recalled that this council bowed to the pressure from a handful of bullies at this crucial juncture. To have done so will be to have betrayed your entire constituency by saddling present and future taxpayers with yet higher taxation. Please vote now to serve the City of Nanaimo, not a handful of people whose own self-interests blind them to the realities of the world around them.
Sincerely:
Ken Connolly
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
More Supportive Again
Below is the second presentation I made on the Bowen Rd. Rezoning follwed by more news stories and letters, from both sides. If the link is directly to a story from the daily news you can read comments made about the story otherwise I ended up taking the links from Canada.Com. Was just the easiest way. One really should read the comments, a great feature of many web based newspapers, they can be both enlightening and scary.
Re: Rezoning
BYLAW NO. 4000.506
Gordon W. Fuller
604 Nicol St.
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 4T9
To clarify earlier comments from earlier presenters:
Columbian Centre Society does have a 10 person capacity but they also have 5 such buildings on the same site.
Warmlands is I believe 20 – 24 supportive housing units plus an additional low barrier shelter.
Through a Blue Lens (documentary) and the comment “is this the type of neighbourhood you want to create?” This is about the Downtown Eastside, an area even former mayor Larry Campbell has stated was in a large part created b the concentration of social services of all kinds. This is in no way related to what Nanaimo’s Homeless Action Plan proposes.
Addiction or the use/abuse of drugs & alcohol is a complicated issue. You heard earlier from Wallace Malay, myself and others that have experienced it and moved forward. There is not one simple solution that fits all. We need a variety of services to meet the need of a variety of people. This is proposed in Nanaimo’s Action Plan.
Honourable Mayor and Council.
I am in support of the rezoning for reasons that will become clear.
In over a decade of paying attention to council issues I do not recall ever having seen an instance where a public hearing has spanned 4 sessions. This is in my opinion not a bad thing as I believe everyone, no matter their opinion, has a right to be heard. It does however illustrate the failings in the communication process with the neighbourhood about the importance of Supportive Social Housing and Nanaimo’s Response to Homelessness Action Plan. I am reminded of the saying “you reap what you sow” and council certainly has been bearing the brunt of what one could consider a bad harvest.
Key to Nanaimo’s strategy is Action 6 of its plan; FACILITATE COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE.
I quote, “Facilitating community acceptance will be key to the effective implementation of the Action Plan.
Examples of proposed steps include:
• Early engagement, in advance of any announcements of sites or funding;
• Developing a locational plan that disperses housing and services;
• Communication with the public, neighbours, businesses, agencies and service
providers on aspects of plan implementation on an ongoing basis; and
• Establishing good neighbour agreements.
Sure we had a public open house when the Homeless Action Plan was developed but we all know that these types of open houses do not draw a huge crowd. Yes in 2010 the proposed site on Dufferin was brought to a meeting in the Hospital area but it was couched within a meeting publicized to be primarily around parking issues, the housing only being brought up at the meeting. Had the public known what was actually on the agenda I am sure far more people would have attended.
Were these “communication with the public, neighbours, businesses, agencies and service providers on aspects of plan implementation on an ongoing basis? “ Technically yes, in reality not. If council and city staff has not already started to sow the seeds with the proposed housing for the North End then I fear you will continue to reap an unsavoury harvest.
Tonight I am not going to bombard you, or creator forbid bore you, with a lot of research. Much has been said, and research provided, by those on both sides of this issue. Some is accurate, anyone can find results on the inter web to support their particular opinion, and some information is outright false. An example of the latter being the alleged stabbing by one resident of another at Warmlands in Duncan. This did not happen.
Fear has been the weapon of many of those opposed; i.e. supportive housing will bring an influx of drug dealers and prostitutes to the area; there will be needles left all over the place and crime will increase. None of this is borne out by fact. The reality is that to some degree, as has been stated by numerous of those opposed, much of this is already in existence in the area as it is in most areas of the city. I feel for the young lady who spoke last week about finding a syringe but it does illustrate what I just said.
Will the implementation of the proposed Supportive Social Housing put a stop to it? I doubt it but I also doubt that it will contribute to more of the same. Using the Balmoral Hotel as an example I can categorically state that it has contributed to an improvement of the area since CMHA took it over. Yes there are still problems in the neighbourhood but they are in no way attributable to the Balmoral and are in no way of the extent they were when the Balmoral was an unsupervised SRO building.
Most street level drug users are ambivalent and want nothing to do with any perceived authority such as the 24 hour staffing and ongoing support that will be in place in the proposed housing. Building this housing will however give some of these folk a safe option when they do start to contemplate change.
From my personal experiences, 25 years, with homelessness as well as alcohol & drug abuse and from my experience of the last 15 years working with people currently facing these issues I know that the supportive housing being proposed in Nanaimo has the potential to save lives. The reality is also that this housing will not be strictly used by tenants with mental illness and addictions, but will house a mix of tenants as mentioned in the Homeless Action Plan and I quote “A mix or balance of tenant characteristics improves the fit into the building and community”
One comment made to council last week in the realm of a veiled threat, others more blatant have been given, is this. “Political will is followed by peoples will and you should remember that.” All I ask is that you remember that each and every one of you also represents the disenfranchised; the homeless and those with addictions.
The ideas being brought forward about abstinence based housing and treatment centres are certainly needed, not just in Nanaimo but elsewhere as well. Some of this is already taking place and more is in the works. What we have now is funding for supportive housing, not these other things. I can guarantee to those in the audience that once this housing is built we will be looking for funding for many of these other services.
I encourage people to read A Response to Homelessness in Nanaimo: A Housing First Approach Relevant Best Practices as well as Nanaimo’s Response to Homelessness Action Plan, both available on the City of Nanaimo website.
In my last presentation I offered an option that I hope will be seriously considered by council and that I believe can meet the needs of all sides in the debate. Rezone this property and then sell it to a developer for mixed use commercial and housing. Take the proceeds and purchase one or two properties in other areas of Nanaimo for Supportive Housing and make sure that communication is started immediately with the public, neighbours, and businesses in these areas.
I also want to offer one more suggestion limit the sizes of the buildings on all properties, including the one already proposed on Dufferin Crescent, to 26 units. 26 units is more manageable and in line with many other Supportive Housing initiatives in other cities across North America including Vancouver and Toronto. It works. As a community we share responsibility for all those in the community and collectively we need to move forward with the provision of safe housing to those most in need.
Lastly I just want to say that the neighbourhood has certainly espoused some very colourful and negative opinions of the disenfranchised. I would urge them to recognize that these are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters. Very likely to the very residents, your neigbours, who already live in the area. Some may even have been students at Quarterway. None were likely influenced by housing except in that which they grew up.
I also want to restate my invitation for anyone wishing to come down to the 7-10 Club. I will be more than happy to introduce you to some of those who will benefit from this housing.
Links
May 14
Low barrier housing stance is principled
By Derek Spalding, The Daily News May 12, 2011
Misinformation fuels opposition to housing plan
The Daily News May 12, 2011
Council can't waiver on low barrier plan
By Sandra Shaw, The Daily News May 12, 2011
'11th hour' consultation on housing is not enough
By Derek Spalding, Daily News May 7, 2011
Public hearing shut down after going well into the night another round set for Wednesday
Published: Saturday, May 07, 2011
Time to dispel confusion about housing plan
The Daily News May 6, 2011
Real dialogueneeded over social housing
By Bob Winkler, The Daily News May 4, 2011
Housing plan doesn't put Nanaimo families first
Published: Friday, April 29, 2011
Sell one city property to upport housing plan
By Derek Spalding, Daily News April 23, 2011
Gruelling debate over social housing plan goes to third night
Re: Rezoning
BYLAW NO. 4000.506
Gordon W. Fuller
604 Nicol St.
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 4T9
To clarify earlier comments from earlier presenters:
Columbian Centre Society does have a 10 person capacity but they also have 5 such buildings on the same site.
Warmlands is I believe 20 – 24 supportive housing units plus an additional low barrier shelter.
Through a Blue Lens (documentary) and the comment “is this the type of neighbourhood you want to create?” This is about the Downtown Eastside, an area even former mayor Larry Campbell has stated was in a large part created b the concentration of social services of all kinds. This is in no way related to what Nanaimo’s Homeless Action Plan proposes.
Addiction or the use/abuse of drugs & alcohol is a complicated issue. You heard earlier from Wallace Malay, myself and others that have experienced it and moved forward. There is not one simple solution that fits all. We need a variety of services to meet the need of a variety of people. This is proposed in Nanaimo’s Action Plan.
Honourable Mayor and Council.
I am in support of the rezoning for reasons that will become clear.
In over a decade of paying attention to council issues I do not recall ever having seen an instance where a public hearing has spanned 4 sessions. This is in my opinion not a bad thing as I believe everyone, no matter their opinion, has a right to be heard. It does however illustrate the failings in the communication process with the neighbourhood about the importance of Supportive Social Housing and Nanaimo’s Response to Homelessness Action Plan. I am reminded of the saying “you reap what you sow” and council certainly has been bearing the brunt of what one could consider a bad harvest.
Key to Nanaimo’s strategy is Action 6 of its plan; FACILITATE COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE.
I quote, “Facilitating community acceptance will be key to the effective implementation of the Action Plan.
Examples of proposed steps include:
• Early engagement, in advance of any announcements of sites or funding;
• Developing a locational plan that disperses housing and services;
• Communication with the public, neighbours, businesses, agencies and service
providers on aspects of plan implementation on an ongoing basis; and
• Establishing good neighbour agreements.
Sure we had a public open house when the Homeless Action Plan was developed but we all know that these types of open houses do not draw a huge crowd. Yes in 2010 the proposed site on Dufferin was brought to a meeting in the Hospital area but it was couched within a meeting publicized to be primarily around parking issues, the housing only being brought up at the meeting. Had the public known what was actually on the agenda I am sure far more people would have attended.
Were these “communication with the public, neighbours, businesses, agencies and service providers on aspects of plan implementation on an ongoing basis? “ Technically yes, in reality not. If council and city staff has not already started to sow the seeds with the proposed housing for the North End then I fear you will continue to reap an unsavoury harvest.
Tonight I am not going to bombard you, or creator forbid bore you, with a lot of research. Much has been said, and research provided, by those on both sides of this issue. Some is accurate, anyone can find results on the inter web to support their particular opinion, and some information is outright false. An example of the latter being the alleged stabbing by one resident of another at Warmlands in Duncan. This did not happen.
Fear has been the weapon of many of those opposed; i.e. supportive housing will bring an influx of drug dealers and prostitutes to the area; there will be needles left all over the place and crime will increase. None of this is borne out by fact. The reality is that to some degree, as has been stated by numerous of those opposed, much of this is already in existence in the area as it is in most areas of the city. I feel for the young lady who spoke last week about finding a syringe but it does illustrate what I just said.
Will the implementation of the proposed Supportive Social Housing put a stop to it? I doubt it but I also doubt that it will contribute to more of the same. Using the Balmoral Hotel as an example I can categorically state that it has contributed to an improvement of the area since CMHA took it over. Yes there are still problems in the neighbourhood but they are in no way attributable to the Balmoral and are in no way of the extent they were when the Balmoral was an unsupervised SRO building.
Most street level drug users are ambivalent and want nothing to do with any perceived authority such as the 24 hour staffing and ongoing support that will be in place in the proposed housing. Building this housing will however give some of these folk a safe option when they do start to contemplate change.
From my personal experiences, 25 years, with homelessness as well as alcohol & drug abuse and from my experience of the last 15 years working with people currently facing these issues I know that the supportive housing being proposed in Nanaimo has the potential to save lives. The reality is also that this housing will not be strictly used by tenants with mental illness and addictions, but will house a mix of tenants as mentioned in the Homeless Action Plan and I quote “A mix or balance of tenant characteristics improves the fit into the building and community”
One comment made to council last week in the realm of a veiled threat, others more blatant have been given, is this. “Political will is followed by peoples will and you should remember that.” All I ask is that you remember that each and every one of you also represents the disenfranchised; the homeless and those with addictions.
The ideas being brought forward about abstinence based housing and treatment centres are certainly needed, not just in Nanaimo but elsewhere as well. Some of this is already taking place and more is in the works. What we have now is funding for supportive housing, not these other things. I can guarantee to those in the audience that once this housing is built we will be looking for funding for many of these other services.
I encourage people to read A Response to Homelessness in Nanaimo: A Housing First Approach Relevant Best Practices as well as Nanaimo’s Response to Homelessness Action Plan, both available on the City of Nanaimo website.
In my last presentation I offered an option that I hope will be seriously considered by council and that I believe can meet the needs of all sides in the debate. Rezone this property and then sell it to a developer for mixed use commercial and housing. Take the proceeds and purchase one or two properties in other areas of Nanaimo for Supportive Housing and make sure that communication is started immediately with the public, neighbours, and businesses in these areas.
I also want to offer one more suggestion limit the sizes of the buildings on all properties, including the one already proposed on Dufferin Crescent, to 26 units. 26 units is more manageable and in line with many other Supportive Housing initiatives in other cities across North America including Vancouver and Toronto. It works. As a community we share responsibility for all those in the community and collectively we need to move forward with the provision of safe housing to those most in need.
Lastly I just want to say that the neighbourhood has certainly espoused some very colourful and negative opinions of the disenfranchised. I would urge them to recognize that these are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters. Very likely to the very residents, your neigbours, who already live in the area. Some may even have been students at Quarterway. None were likely influenced by housing except in that which they grew up.
I also want to restate my invitation for anyone wishing to come down to the 7-10 Club. I will be more than happy to introduce you to some of those who will benefit from this housing.
Links
May 14
Low barrier housing stance is principled
By Derek Spalding, The Daily News May 12, 2011
Misinformation fuels opposition to housing plan
The Daily News May 12, 2011
Council can't waiver on low barrier plan
By Sandra Shaw, The Daily News May 12, 2011
'11th hour' consultation on housing is not enough
By Derek Spalding, Daily News May 7, 2011
Public hearing shut down after going well into the night another round set for Wednesday
Published: Saturday, May 07, 2011
Time to dispel confusion about housing plan
The Daily News May 6, 2011
Real dialogueneeded over social housing
By Bob Winkler, The Daily News May 4, 2011
Housing plan doesn't put Nanaimo families first
Published: Friday, April 29, 2011
Sell one city property to upport housing plan
By Derek Spalding, Daily News April 23, 2011
Gruelling debate over social housing plan goes to third night
Friday, October 29, 2010
Low Barrier ie. Supportive Social Housing
There is a fairly large bit of information below but I sincerely welcome and will answer any questions regarding what is a very complex issue. The debate rages on in Nanaimo around placing so called Low Barrier or Wet Housing into the Hospital Area. Below you will find every link, from the Daily News, to stories and letters about this particular issue at Dufferin and Boundary Crescents. I am also pasting some commentary with regards to questions asked of me (looks better here because I actually ran spell check).
Correspondence with Jim Taylor – Nanaimo Info Blog
As a voice for social change I am seeking your opinion on the effectiveness of the 'low barrier' housing program which is causing a bit of a stir in the hospital area. Any light you can shed on the matter would be helpful?
As someone who for years has advocated a ‘housing first approach’ and the decentralization of services, even before the concepts became the adopted approach in the city, I have seen firsthand how stable housing can enable people to address barriers that might seem overwhelming without the option of easily accessible supports.
The overwhelming anxiety/fear that is being generated by misinformation put out by HANA and the lack of overall communication on the part of the City has generated a response in the Hospital Area that was easily predicted. As Douglas Hardie so aptly puts it in a recent letter regarding the South End Community Associations opinion on the issue, "Anxiety is remarkably contagious. It's easy to get swept up in an emotional process that tends to simplify and polarize the issues in a way that makes the development of good, long-term solutions less likely."
HANA (Hpospital Area Neighbourhood Association) does however have a legitimate concern when it comes to concentration. As stated in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) {see attached} signed by BC Housing and the Municipality Nov. 12, 2008, the site proposed for Boundary and Dufferin (Townsite) was put forward as “suitable for tenants with mental health and addiction issues” the proposed site on Bowen Road, not relatively far from the other, “could accommodate commercial or service uses on the ground and residential units above” and “could serve more independent tenants.”
Somewhere along the way the City is stating all will be low barrier and this could cause problems when locating these services. Then again I would contend that every house, apartment and condominium is low barrier. Provided you stay under the radar a person can do pretty much whatever they want in their own home.
In my opinion the City should sell the property on Bowen to a developer for mixed use with a 5 year covenant on the residential for people with an income of less than $20,000 and basing rent on 30% of income. After the 5 years the city could covenant a percentage of the units to stay that way with the rest either being sold or rented at market value. Once the property is sold to a developer the City could then look at purchasing properties in other areas of the city.
Part of the problem in touting these facilities as low barrier is people assume that the units will only be available to those with mental health and addiction issue. The reality is that most of the extreme cases will likely end up housed at Wesely Street it being the first to come on line other than the old Balmoral. The reality is as people move towards treatment and other housing options you would likely see a variety of people being housed in the buildings which could be a good thing.
Do you know if these programs are actually effective in assisting people with many different 'issues' in getting off the streets and into what we may think is a better lifestyle?
Yes. The primary goal of Housing First is to get the person off the street and then look at each individual and taylor supports to their need at that particular time and place in their life. The first step, getting the person(s) off the street or out of the revolving door of substandard accommodation, is immediately creating a better/safer lifestyle.
Are they actually able to get the monkey off people’s backs, or just provide more comfortable surroundings?
I prefer to think of it not as more comfortable, though it is that, but safer surroundings. Getting the proverbial monkey off someone’s back will depend on the willingness of the person to access supports. In some cases the safer more comfortable surroundings may be enough to promote change even without the need to look at things like detox or treatment. For many however these later two options as well as counselling will be necessary and by having the person in safe/comfortable housing they are far easier to bring to bear than if the person is cycling on and off the street.
I sometimes wonder if getting people off the streets, is the issue, then what is lacking with our social assistance programs if they are not allowing folks enough money to afford to live in a safe apartment which must already exist someplace, rather than building another institution and putting everyone together in one place?
Many housing first strategies, Toronto for example rely on both putting people into existing accommodation http://www.toronto.ca/housing/about-streets-homes.htm through out the city and then lining up supports as well as providing new build housing http://www.toronto.ca/housing/about-partnership.htm .
When looking at existing accommodation rent subsidies are used to top up from the income assistance rate. I know of nowhere where Income assistance rates alone will provide enough for a single person to find adequate safe accommodation and this is a problem Any housing first strategy must look at all means of getting people into housing and then doing it. Rent subsidies are the quickest way to do so and should be the initial focus then moving on to new builds of various types of social and supported social housing.
Is the issue, that these folks are not candidates for most landlords because of alcohol or drug use and the related behaviour issues which arise as a result?
The vast majority of people with substance abuse issues are able to maintain housing. The related behaviour issues, crime and violence, I am assuming you speak of are, in my belief, exhibited by the minority. As an abuser for over 20 years of pretty much any substance I could get hold of I was never evicted because of my substance use. The few times I was evicted it was for failure to pay rent. Most people using alcohol or drugs are not violent and can do so in a very social manner and without having to resort to crime. Some, being the most entrenched, may have to resort to petty crime to both maintain their habit as well as safe accommodation. That being said there are many that are extremely vulnerable to the predators of society, the bottom feeders such as slumlords and pimps who profit from the misery they help and want to maintain.
My comment online to Darrel Bellart story (link below).
A simple question; How well do you know your neighbours? Physical, Child, and Sexual abuse; Pedophiles, Alcoholics, Drug Addicts and Criminal activity, are all happening within homes in Nanaimo. Perhaps even in the home of your neighbour. Low Barrier, Wet House, the reality is that these terms describe every house, condo and apartment in the city. One can do pretty much anything in their home provided they remain under the radar. The people you see on the street are, for the most part, not there because they want to be but because of the very behaviours that happen behind closed doors. Many do drugs to cope with what has happened to them behind closed doors and many to cope with emotional or mental illness. The bottom line is that the proposed Supportive Social Housing and the people that are housed there will have the same right to maintain their addiction aka. behaviour as anyone else in the city. The biggest difference will be that when they do choose change they will have it far easier to do so because of the supports in place.
Correspondence with Jim Taylor – Nanaimo Info Blog
As a voice for social change I am seeking your opinion on the effectiveness of the 'low barrier' housing program which is causing a bit of a stir in the hospital area. Any light you can shed on the matter would be helpful?
As someone who for years has advocated a ‘housing first approach’ and the decentralization of services, even before the concepts became the adopted approach in the city, I have seen firsthand how stable housing can enable people to address barriers that might seem overwhelming without the option of easily accessible supports.
The overwhelming anxiety/fear that is being generated by misinformation put out by HANA and the lack of overall communication on the part of the City has generated a response in the Hospital Area that was easily predicted. As Douglas Hardie so aptly puts it in a recent letter regarding the South End Community Associations opinion on the issue, "Anxiety is remarkably contagious. It's easy to get swept up in an emotional process that tends to simplify and polarize the issues in a way that makes the development of good, long-term solutions less likely."
HANA (Hpospital Area Neighbourhood Association) does however have a legitimate concern when it comes to concentration. As stated in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) {see attached} signed by BC Housing and the Municipality Nov. 12, 2008, the site proposed for Boundary and Dufferin (Townsite) was put forward as “suitable for tenants with mental health and addiction issues” the proposed site on Bowen Road, not relatively far from the other, “could accommodate commercial or service uses on the ground and residential units above” and “could serve more independent tenants.”
Somewhere along the way the City is stating all will be low barrier and this could cause problems when locating these services. Then again I would contend that every house, apartment and condominium is low barrier. Provided you stay under the radar a person can do pretty much whatever they want in their own home.
In my opinion the City should sell the property on Bowen to a developer for mixed use with a 5 year covenant on the residential for people with an income of less than $20,000 and basing rent on 30% of income. After the 5 years the city could covenant a percentage of the units to stay that way with the rest either being sold or rented at market value. Once the property is sold to a developer the City could then look at purchasing properties in other areas of the city.
Part of the problem in touting these facilities as low barrier is people assume that the units will only be available to those with mental health and addiction issue. The reality is that most of the extreme cases will likely end up housed at Wesely Street it being the first to come on line other than the old Balmoral. The reality is as people move towards treatment and other housing options you would likely see a variety of people being housed in the buildings which could be a good thing.
Do you know if these programs are actually effective in assisting people with many different 'issues' in getting off the streets and into what we may think is a better lifestyle?
Yes. The primary goal of Housing First is to get the person off the street and then look at each individual and taylor supports to their need at that particular time and place in their life. The first step, getting the person(s) off the street or out of the revolving door of substandard accommodation, is immediately creating a better/safer lifestyle.
Are they actually able to get the monkey off people’s backs, or just provide more comfortable surroundings?
I prefer to think of it not as more comfortable, though it is that, but safer surroundings. Getting the proverbial monkey off someone’s back will depend on the willingness of the person to access supports. In some cases the safer more comfortable surroundings may be enough to promote change even without the need to look at things like detox or treatment. For many however these later two options as well as counselling will be necessary and by having the person in safe/comfortable housing they are far easier to bring to bear than if the person is cycling on and off the street.
I sometimes wonder if getting people off the streets, is the issue, then what is lacking with our social assistance programs if they are not allowing folks enough money to afford to live in a safe apartment which must already exist someplace, rather than building another institution and putting everyone together in one place?
Many housing first strategies, Toronto for example rely on both putting people into existing accommodation http://www.toronto.ca/housing/about-streets-homes.htm through out the city and then lining up supports as well as providing new build housing http://www.toronto.ca/housing/about-partnership.htm .
When looking at existing accommodation rent subsidies are used to top up from the income assistance rate. I know of nowhere where Income assistance rates alone will provide enough for a single person to find adequate safe accommodation and this is a problem Any housing first strategy must look at all means of getting people into housing and then doing it. Rent subsidies are the quickest way to do so and should be the initial focus then moving on to new builds of various types of social and supported social housing.
Is the issue, that these folks are not candidates for most landlords because of alcohol or drug use and the related behaviour issues which arise as a result?
The vast majority of people with substance abuse issues are able to maintain housing. The related behaviour issues, crime and violence, I am assuming you speak of are, in my belief, exhibited by the minority. As an abuser for over 20 years of pretty much any substance I could get hold of I was never evicted because of my substance use. The few times I was evicted it was for failure to pay rent. Most people using alcohol or drugs are not violent and can do so in a very social manner and without having to resort to crime. Some, being the most entrenched, may have to resort to petty crime to both maintain their habit as well as safe accommodation. That being said there are many that are extremely vulnerable to the predators of society, the bottom feeders such as slumlords and pimps who profit from the misery they help and want to maintain.
My comment online to Darrel Bellart story (link below).
A simple question; How well do you know your neighbours? Physical, Child, and Sexual abuse; Pedophiles, Alcoholics, Drug Addicts and Criminal activity, are all happening within homes in Nanaimo. Perhaps even in the home of your neighbour. Low Barrier, Wet House, the reality is that these terms describe every house, condo and apartment in the city. One can do pretty much anything in their home provided they remain under the radar. The people you see on the street are, for the most part, not there because they want to be but because of the very behaviours that happen behind closed doors. Many do drugs to cope with what has happened to them behind closed doors and many to cope with emotional or mental illness. The bottom line is that the proposed Supportive Social Housing and the people that are housed there will have the same right to maintain their addiction aka. behaviour as anyone else in the city. The biggest difference will be that when they do choose change they will have it far easier to do so because of the supports in place.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Holy Crap am I tardy
Been 2 months since I posted anything, one would think nothing is happening in this fair city. Been very busy with a number of things one being the Neighbourhood Plan for the Southend. Check out the South End Community Associations blog http://www.nanaimosouthend.ca/ , we have had a number of great comments from the other Neighbourhood Associations. Kudo's to Barbara Densmore, Larry Gambone and former Nanaimo resident Anne Thompson (who helped design it for SECA) for being dilligent in getting it out every month. We are probably the most active community association and have a great group of directors and volunteeers throughout the community.
I just noticed that links in my blog to stories from the Nanaimo Bulletin don't seem to go anywhere. Bummer and will check it out to see if I can rectify it. Speaking of the Bulletin, a month or so ago I had spoken to Toby Gorman (reporter) regarding the comment option for the Bulletin http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/nanaimonewsbulletin/
not being as user friendly as the one in the Daily News http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/index.html . We had a few e-mail exchanges over the subject and I completely forgotten about it, except to note it remained a pain in the ass. Today I noticed the Bulletin has now improved theirs so am now hoping to be able to view comments to their stories without the hassle of signing in. The comments are one of my favourite reads but be aware that as the story moves on one needs to click on it to view any comments added after you have initially viewed them.
Anyway will once again attempt to post on a more regular basis.
Enjoy.
I just noticed that links in my blog to stories from the Nanaimo Bulletin don't seem to go anywhere. Bummer and will check it out to see if I can rectify it. Speaking of the Bulletin, a month or so ago I had spoken to Toby Gorman (reporter) regarding the comment option for the Bulletin http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/nanaimonewsbulletin/
not being as user friendly as the one in the Daily News http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/index.html . We had a few e-mail exchanges over the subject and I completely forgotten about it, except to note it remained a pain in the ass. Today I noticed the Bulletin has now improved theirs so am now hoping to be able to view comments to their stories without the hassle of signing in. The comments are one of my favourite reads but be aware that as the story moves on one needs to click on it to view any comments added after you have initially viewed them.
Anyway will once again attempt to post on a more regular basis.
Enjoy.
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