Minutes not good enough
To help the mayor and city councillors to understand further, that homelessness does not equate to drug users, I also sent them pictures from the Penticton transit buses. Each and every one of these banners have the same message, and not one of them mentions homelessness. Whether it is a picture of a woman or a man, the messages are similar: sister, daughter, husband, father, drug user, friend, drug user, co-worker, teammate, hockey fan, drug user!
The Penticton Western article refers to remarks from Matthew Baran, the executive director from the Ooknakane Friendship Centre, especially his concerns about remarks made by some of the city councillors. I’m also very concerned about Coun. Max Picton’s remarks and how he defends why he can’t be at all the community meetings that address the issue of lack of housing for those who are homeless.
Of course, we can’t be at all places at the same time, but it’s also important to really know the issues that the poor, homeless and others are faced with, day in and day out! Even of more concern for me is Coun. Picton saying “I can still read the minutes from that committee meeting and still understand what was being presented.” Such a statement gives me grave concern because minutes are not a Hansard recording, but a brief outline of what was discussed and to record motions. Which in effect would mean that Coun. Picton can not garner any significant information about the homelessness issues by reading minutes? I can say this with confidence, as I have had many experiences with non-profit groups, including as a president twice, secretary, treasurer, union organizer and much more. All of the City of Penticton minutes clearly show the barest of details, focussing on motions and directions to city staff. Is it possible that Coun. Picton hasn’t even read the minutes from his own city council meetings, thereby explaining why he says he “can read the minutes,” because then he’d know that he could not get details of the issues for poverty, homelessness and discrimination by reading minutes?
If the City of Penticton wants to truly be a “Smart City,” as their application suggests, now’s the time to really show they really care for the physical and mental health wellbeing of all of Penticton’s citizens, and not just those who have $500K and more to buy a home.
Brigid Kemp
Penticton