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Homelessness workshop turned into fiasco

Re: “Reaction mixed to plan for tax levy to house homeless,” Sept. 17. I am one of the Topaz Park neighbours who made a stand against tent cities in our parks.

Re: “Reaction mixed to plan for tax levy to house homeless,” Sept. 17.

I am one of the Topaz Park neighbours who made a stand against tent cities in our parks. I went to the “workshop” on homelessness Wednesday night with a fear that the minds of Mayor Lisa Helps and Councillor Ben Isitt are already made up.

The huge number of folks attending who obviously had personal issues with homelessness surprised me and I was ready to listen with an open mind. I dismissed as paranoid a suggestion that the meeting had been stacked.

However, when Helps’s opening remarks were interrupted by people shouting for their money, she acknowledged that low or no-income attendees were being paid an “honorarium” to attend. This was followed by open mikes taken over by very loud and angry men using violent and abusive language. This is a focus group? This is democracy?

Despite the number of police, ambulance, security and city staff present, I didn’t feel safe, and left early.

All this fomenting and dishonesty will not convince me that our chronic yet urgent issues with homelessness are either a crisis or an emergency, no matter how many times this big lie is repeated.

I will continue to observe, attend and contribute, but I have absolutely no confidence in the leadership on city council. I can only hope that the damage being done to our city can be fixed by the next mayor.

My poor city.

Barbara Wiggins

Victoria