City picks up the pace

By Richard Rolke Jan 10 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Who ever coined the phrase, “The wheels of government turn slowly,” hasn’t been to city hall lately. With growing awareness that an emergency shelter for women is required in Vernon, city council and staff have been breaking down the stereotypical views of bureaucrats.

With two delegations poised to push for a shelter during the regular afternoon session Monday, council members used their morning committee of the whole meeting as a chance to get a jumpstart on discussions and see how they can help. And when it came time to take action, they did. A majority of council took the unprecedented move of saying they will ignore their own bylaws if a shelter opens this winter in a building that does not have proper zoning. Apparently there is nothing illegal with the city not enforcing its bylaws, but to do so in such a visible manner, is extremely rare.

The only one opposed was Coun. Barry Beardsell. But before you think this was the latest move by the man known as Dr. No, it should be pointed out that some of the strongest comments of support for a shelter and helping those in need has come from Beardsell. Beardsell was also wanting an expedited process to make a shelter a reality, but he was concerned that not enforcing the bylaws would leave the city open to liability and send the wrong message to others in the community impacted by an array of bylaws.

There are valid arguments, and as elected officials, council members must look at the broad picture. Is the city on the hook for any problems that occur in a building not zoned properly? Is there the potential of setting precedent by openly ignoring enforcement? Beardsell was right to raise those questions. To his credit, Beardsell was willing to attend extra meetings if it meant having a proper zoning amendment in place.

Unfortunately, time is of the essence so women have some where to sleep this winter. The earliest a zoning bylaw amendment could have been in place is two weeks (which is still lightning fast for city hall), but that would have delayed a shelter opening its doors at a time when the weather can turn very cold quite quickly. Another indication of city hall working at a fevered pitch was council insisting that the shelter organizers have information to the finance committee Thursday so it can determine if financial assistance can be provided. Staff has also been doing an advance analysis of the potential shelter location to ensure all fire codes are met.

While praise is handed out, it should be mentioned that MP Colin Mayes’ assistant Terri Jones has been an active part of the process and is trying to determine potential sources of money for a permanent shelter. This is just another example that poverty and homelessness know no party lines. How a person votes doesn’t matter when they are cold and hungry.

But while the strong support from city hall and Mayes is appreciated, it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the leadership of the Social Planning Council and concerned residents like Alixe Miller. Through them, a variety of agencies have come together, including the Women’s Centre, the Safe Communities Unit, The Shelter, the Cammy Lafleur Street Clinic and Transition House. At a time when there could be upwards of 100 women on the street in Vernon, such a collective effort is overwhelming.