Town to hold Zoom public info meeting December 3rd on Oliver Shelter
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Comments
Joyce LaValleesays
I believe that the homeless are falling through the cracks, but a site outside of town is better suited.
As far as a zoom meeting, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, its like cheating to get what you want. Is council trying to create political suicide.
I thought that Town Council’s job was to ensure a fair process, this is far from that. To pick and choose who they feel is entitled to attend, that could be one sided. Like others have said what is the rush if it is not likely to happen this winter. Come on Town Council do the right thing and protect your residential areas.
Crack use has decreased over the years. I can’t seem to find any one reason for it. No one seems to know why – at all. I have seen a report for a plan that involved targeting communities and need and decreasing the availability on the street. And many other varied approaches that sound like social work. Jailing people made things worse.
I do know that the shelter in Kelowna was awful. They created a bad neighbourhood that I didn’t even want to walk in. I’m sorry that life handed some of us a bad hand – but that doesn’t make me want to walk by a bunch of people yelling and throwing stuff, clearly agitated and out of their minds on something. Tent cities tend to have a lot of negative behaviours happening too.
But at the same time, I saw this young girl sleeping in the park and I just wanted to go give her a hug and bring her home.. but didn’t – I have my own kids to think about. I felt concern for her and I hope things are better.
A shelter that is close, but not right in town might be a bit better. Why should someone have to live by danger and violence if they have paid for their home and pay their taxes? I’m not saying homeless people are bad. They are living in trauma. And no one makes perfect decisions when traumatized. They are worthy human beings too. However, there are standards that I want people to follow so that I feel proud and happy about where I live, in general. Someone else’s trauma doesn’t get to take precedence over the general wellbeing of people in Oliver.
Can a shelter in town promise we don’t get rock bottom behaviour that is excused for reasons I don’t agree with?
Can we sit around and do nothing as the homeless numbers rise?
With all the help for drug addiction out there, why has the problem gotten worse? It seems that when well meaning people try to solve a problem it only gets worse. Smoking, drugs, vandalism and homelessness are all problems that have a greater cause than the simple answers most wish for, and will not be solved by the way they are going at it now. It’s a complex issue that needs a lot more thought to solve. Well meaning people using stop gap measures will not solve the problems. They in the end make things worse overall. Those that are concerned or affected have to want to change from within, want to better themselves or all is for not.
How much help is there “out there” for people with addiction? I hear/read lots of interviews with people who have tried to get help and cannot – you are correct it is complex and sadly the numbers are increasing not decreasing.
I believe Oliver residents average age is in the low 60’s and many of our population is over 70. I guess the many people who have no idea how to “zoom meeting”, and no one is allowed in their home to help them, will be blocked from having their questions and concerns addressed, and input into this important event. There are many residents homes close to this proposed use of the church, studies show their property value will be very adversely affected. Many studies in Canada show crime rates increase by an average of 56% in about a 3 block vicinity of homeless shelters, and radiates out. I am aware that many homeless are not addicts, however many are. It is not as simple as saying “no matter where it goes, some will object”. This seems to be rushed, even though Desert Sun representatives say it will probably not be up and running this winter. Could the town at least look diligently for other potential locations which would affect fewer homes in close vicinity. Would security cameras be considered as important around a shelter? I have spoken to many people who work late hours in Oliver, and they feel most homeless would not even use a homeless shelter. They feel more secure sleeping in their vehicle, or the bush. A temporary homeless shelter is also not the best and most economically efficient way to address homelessness. More permanent housing, professional counselling available full time, full time addiction treatment, and assistance with securing a job helps many to become independant. When I was young a long time ago, at 17, I left home, and was homeless and “couch surfed”. That experience helped me figure out that if I wanted to become independant, and not return to my parents, who would welcome me back, I would have to secure 2 jobs, or get roommates. More time and more options, and more locations should be considered.
Publisher:
Good points Shirley
1. what is the rush if a shelter is not likely this winter
2. would it not be better to wait three months and find a better answer to HOW to – get the shelter and do it right.
3. is council playing the old game of trying to please everyone
4. let us invite every citizen to comment – give them several options
5. let us determine how many people within five blocks of the idea are consulted
6. let us set a time limit of three months
7. let us make a decision
8. all of us want to help
9. all of us think more should be done
10. but most……….. I think do not believe some people, their homes, their neighborhoods should be adversely affected by any decision by council, the town, the admin and those that do not want this all in their backyard.
How about Bellevue Drive for a homeless shelter ???
Joyce LaVallee says
I believe that the homeless are falling through the cracks, but a site outside of town is better suited.
As far as a zoom meeting, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, its like cheating to get what you want. Is council trying to create political suicide.
I thought that Town Council’s job was to ensure a fair process, this is far from that. To pick and choose who they feel is entitled to attend, that could be one sided. Like others have said what is the rush if it is not likely to happen this winter. Come on Town Council do the right thing and protect your residential areas.
Megan Allen says
Crack use has decreased over the years. I can’t seem to find any one reason for it. No one seems to know why – at all. I have seen a report for a plan that involved targeting communities and need and decreasing the availability on the street. And many other varied approaches that sound like social work. Jailing people made things worse.
I do know that the shelter in Kelowna was awful. They created a bad neighbourhood that I didn’t even want to walk in. I’m sorry that life handed some of us a bad hand – but that doesn’t make me want to walk by a bunch of people yelling and throwing stuff, clearly agitated and out of their minds on something. Tent cities tend to have a lot of negative behaviours happening too.
But at the same time, I saw this young girl sleeping in the park and I just wanted to go give her a hug and bring her home.. but didn’t – I have my own kids to think about. I felt concern for her and I hope things are better.
A shelter that is close, but not right in town might be a bit better. Why should someone have to live by danger and violence if they have paid for their home and pay their taxes? I’m not saying homeless people are bad. They are living in trauma. And no one makes perfect decisions when traumatized. They are worthy human beings too. However, there are standards that I want people to follow so that I feel proud and happy about where I live, in general. Someone else’s trauma doesn’t get to take precedence over the general wellbeing of people in Oliver.
Can a shelter in town promise we don’t get rock bottom behaviour that is excused for reasons I don’t agree with?
Can we sit around and do nothing as the homeless numbers rise?
What’s the kindest and most fair thing to do?
neil seidler says
With all the help for drug addiction out there, why has the problem gotten worse? It seems that when well meaning people try to solve a problem it only gets worse. Smoking, drugs, vandalism and homelessness are all problems that have a greater cause than the simple answers most wish for, and will not be solved by the way they are going at it now. It’s a complex issue that needs a lot more thought to solve. Well meaning people using stop gap measures will not solve the problems. They in the end make things worse overall. Those that are concerned or affected have to want to change from within, want to better themselves or all is for not.
Publisher: Neil is wise.
Carolyn Tipler says
How much help is there “out there” for people with addiction? I hear/read lots of interviews with people who have tried to get help and cannot – you are correct it is complex and sadly the numbers are increasing not decreasing.
Shirley Zelinski says
I believe Oliver residents average age is in the low 60’s and many of our population is over 70. I guess the many people who have no idea how to “zoom meeting”, and no one is allowed in their home to help them, will be blocked from having their questions and concerns addressed, and input into this important event. There are many residents homes close to this proposed use of the church, studies show their property value will be very adversely affected. Many studies in Canada show crime rates increase by an average of 56% in about a 3 block vicinity of homeless shelters, and radiates out. I am aware that many homeless are not addicts, however many are. It is not as simple as saying “no matter where it goes, some will object”. This seems to be rushed, even though Desert Sun representatives say it will probably not be up and running this winter. Could the town at least look diligently for other potential locations which would affect fewer homes in close vicinity. Would security cameras be considered as important around a shelter? I have spoken to many people who work late hours in Oliver, and they feel most homeless would not even use a homeless shelter. They feel more secure sleeping in their vehicle, or the bush. A temporary homeless shelter is also not the best and most economically efficient way to address homelessness. More permanent housing, professional counselling available full time, full time addiction treatment, and assistance with securing a job helps many to become independant. When I was young a long time ago, at 17, I left home, and was homeless and “couch surfed”. That experience helped me figure out that if I wanted to become independant, and not return to my parents, who would welcome me back, I would have to secure 2 jobs, or get roommates. More time and more options, and more locations should be considered.
Publisher:
Good points Shirley
1. what is the rush if a shelter is not likely this winter
2. would it not be better to wait three months and find a better answer to HOW to – get the shelter and do it right.
3. is council playing the old game of trying to please everyone
4. let us invite every citizen to comment – give them several options
5. let us determine how many people within five blocks of the idea are consulted
6. let us set a time limit of three months
7. let us make a decision
8. all of us want to help
9. all of us think more should be done
10. but most……….. I think do not believe some people, their homes, their neighborhoods should be adversely affected by any decision by council, the town, the admin and those that do not want this all in their backyard.
How about Bellevue Drive for a homeless shelter ???