The Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) voted to support a motion made by former president and board member Bob Bos that the ADBA contribute $10,000 towards a society to solve homelessness in Abbotsford chaired by outgoing ADBA president Paul MacLeod.
As revealed on Abbotsford Today last month, the ADBA board voted unanimously to ask the membership at Monday’s AGM to donate the $10,000 to the pursuit of a housing solution for Abbotsford’s homeless population which cannot be housed in the City’s existing high barrier shelters.
ADBA President Paul MacLeod, told Today the money will be used to help efforts he will spearhead through society being formed with the help of Abbotsford lawyer, ADBA member and member of the board of Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) Gerry Palmer.
The society will be made up of interested private citizens who are eager to help resolve the outstanding issue of homelessness for those who are unable to be housed in the only shelters Abbotsford has, all of which preclude the participation of those with mental illness, drug addictions or alcohol dependence, or behaviours deemed unacceptable by the shelters the City will allow.
From Voices For Dignity:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/536856343099184/548882148563270/?notif_t=group_comment
Elsie K. Neufeld curious, and curiouser. a lawyer on board.
1 hr · Like
Angelika Dawson well… i guess it’s moving in an encouraging direction. $10,000 isn’t going to go very far though…
1 hr · Like · 1
Jay Mitchell I read this as “Hey, we’re not really the evil we appear to be! Throwing this little bit of money around to ‘solve homelessness’ redeems the negativity of our self-interested opposition!”
I mean, yes it’s good that they want to take a step in a positi…See More
1 hr · Like · 2
Angelika Dawson I guess the one thing that gives me hope is that they’ve engaged a board member of ACS – an organization that I do trust. so there’s that.
1 hr · Like · 1
Elsie K. Neufeld Question: is the lawyer representing ACS? Nowhere in the article does it say so. it merely refers to the fact that he is a board member of ACS, as well as a member of ADBA. Just sayin’.
48 mins · Like
Elsie K. Neufeld let us hope this money is used to finance a supervised (as in supported) outdoor shelter for the homeless. one that includes access to water, washrooms, and other essentials. that is my wish and hope.
42 mins · Edited · Like · 2
Elsie K. Neufeld “ACS has not been invited, in any way, to be involved in the new society to address homelessness funded by the ADBA.” – Janna Dieleman, Manager – Donor & Community Relations. My question re the lawyer has been answered.
14 mins · Like
Jay Mitchell Then really, I expect no solution that doesn’t benefit one downtown property owner or another.
10 mins · Like
Nancy Weisz-Gallagher Elsie, He is helping to set up the new society as a non- profit even though he is a part of many other community organizations. You need a lawyer to do this.
Who is Lawyer, Gerry Palmer?
http://www.abbynews.com/business/144677775.html
He has business interests in the Business Improvement Area…need, I say more!
Who is Lawyer, Gerry Palmer?
http://www.abbynews.com/business/144677775.html
He has business interests in the east Downtown Business Improvement Area…need, I say more!
There’s a sickness at work here. It defies reason & common courtesy.
The saboteurs who scuppered the boat want to re-float its debris and be hailed heroes?