THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2016
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HOMELESSNESS
Mayor wants to give land Tent goes up in Foster Park as city considers final bylaw approvals JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Mayor Marc Lefebvre says the city should provide a taxpayer-owned piece of land for a homeless shelter in Parksville. Lefebvre said this week he does not have a specific motion yet for council to consider and he’s not certain to what degree he’ll get support from fellow councillors. He also said he is waiting for the Oceanside Homelessness Task Force to provide details on what size and location would be appropriate for the services required. “We have to get some idea of what we need in terms of square footage,” Lefebvre said this week. “If we don’t have a property with an adequate size we’ll see what’s for sale The solution is only one out there in the community.” decision away from Lefebvre’s comments were made becoming a reality . . . It’s after he met with Manna Homeless now in the city’s ball court Society founder Robin Campbell. to do what is right Th at meeting came after Campbell ROBIN CAMPBELL sent a tersely-worded letter to the mayor, with a copy to The NEWS. “The city is lacking vision in this area,” Campbell wrote. “Parksville is identified as a world-class location to live. We now need to take that step to the homeless showing the world we also have a heart. The solution is only one decision away from becoming a reality, therefore it is now in the city’s ball court to do what is right.” In an interview after his meeting with Lefebvre on Tuesday, Campbell said he believes “there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” “I’m really happy that land is now available and it’s going to be public knowledge,” said Campbell. “This will take the pressure off, with everyone knowing there is land. Hopefully we can maintain (services) until it’s built.” About five years ago when the task force was formed, a consultant suggested the city follow three steps in relation to the homeless in the region. First was a formal count of homeless in the area. Second was to get businesses, the RCMP and the larger community on board. Third suggested the donation of city-owned land for a facility could attract senior government funds for construction and operation. See CITY CITES COURT RULING, page A8
AUREN RUVINSKY PHOTO
THE END IS NEAR: Gloria Hurlburt with JSK Traffic Control is pictured Wednesday at the Bay Avenue end of Temple Street in Parksville, where the final phase of the $3 million upgrade is expected to be completed in June, much to the relief of residents. Parksville’s Director of Engineering Vaughn Figueira said all the underground work is complete and the project is on budget.
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