2/19/13 Abbotsford citizens are banding together to organize a peaceful protest outside Abbotsford City Hall on Monday February 24th at noon.
Knowledge of the rally is spreading like wildfire on Facebook at a site devoted to Abbotsford’s homeless population and is gaining ground due to posts like the following:
The protest is in reaction to Mayor Bruce Banman’s vote to shut down a $15.3 million offer from BC Housing and Abbotsford Community Services to build the smallest low barrier shelter ever proposed in BC Monday night.
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2/20/13 UPDATE: Chris Lenshyn has started a Facebook page – Speaking Up with Abbotsford’s Homeless – to help promote the rally.
2/21/13 UPDATE:
2/22/13 UPDATE:
UTTERLY overwhelmed at the support and spontaneous offers to help with promoting this event, as well as with offering up practical assistance with details. Heidi Enns, with Parks & Recreation, left a phone message: “You are welcome to use the City’s audio system. It will be set up for your use on Monday!” And how did we come upon the idea to ask the City to use its system? Why, it was Constable Tom Chesley, with whom two of us met this afternoon to inform APD of what we were doing, who suggested it. And. Just. Like. That! Jake Rudolph, Deputy City Manager, provided a special events permit expediently. The kind responses today… Amazing, amazing. Amazed! This is the best of Abbotsford!
2/22/13 UPDATE:
Patricia Ross
they didn’t vote to shut down the housing project they voted not to break the contract with the adba and not to rezone a parcel of land within the c7 zoning specific to old downtown abbotsford. if a protest should be had it should be against acs to get them to consider at least 3 other pieces of property that were suggested for this project. heck why can’t they look into using the old msa hospital site where they can get a larger facility with more beds!!!
I find it interesting the ADBA repeatedly has stated their concerns
about increased crime and drugs, if the facility is built, so why would
Bill MacGregor suggest the old MSA site, which is near two schools, a lot of student foot traffic, community library and seniors housing,
if there are concerns about crime and drugs?
in addition to my previous comments why can’t the acs use the piece of property right next to where the new mcc building is being put up? or the old mobile home site behind superstore, or the corner of gladwin and simon, or a portion of where the old clayburn brick plant used to be??? there are options out there so why is this specific piece of property such a hot topic?
The answer is simple.
When BC Housing came forward with the proposal, the city had no land
and the city has NO money for land…we paid out $14 million+ in subsidies for arena/hockey past 4 1/2 yrs.
An RFP was put out by BC Housing to non-profit organizations and
ACS had land and wanted to provide the support needed to operate
a low barrier housing facility.