Homelessness Meeting draws support and C

‘This whole thing seems disingenuous to me,’ homelessness meeting draws mixed reviews from downtown business owners

Feb 6, 2019 | 3:17 PM

Dozens of business owners packed the Schubert Center for a meeting addressing homelessness in the city’s downtown core.

The meeting was held by Urban Matters, a organization hired by the city to look at the issue and present a report to council.

Participants sat in small groups and answered questions like ” What do you love about operating a business and working in the downtown?,” What are ways you can contribute to addressing the issues to create positive community outcomes ?,” and ” What are ways you can be better supported?”

Better communication, a weekly media story highlighting the good of the city’s downtown and increased patrols were among the ideas suggested.

A media story every week highlighting the good of downtown and increased patrols are among some of the suggestions at the meeting on homelessness in the downtown core #VernonBC pic.twitter.com/Wbu7kHOvEr

— Tiffany Goodwein (@CityNewsTiffany) February 6, 2019

Air Conditioners for Seniors

Organization asking for public aid to protect seniors from extreme heat

6m ago

Election 2026

Vernon business owner looking to win seat on City Council

1h ago

Water Shut Off Response

Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage

20h ago

“I think it is a really great opportunity for all of us to hear others issues, I also thought it was a really great opportunity to focus on the positives of downtown, because I have been downtown for 29 years with my business,” said business owner and former city councillor Juliette Cunningham.

“I’ve come away from it with a new perspective, a business perspective as I work with marginalized people,” said Chuck Harper.

RCMP Superintendent Shawna Baher said the meeting demonstrated how the community is committed towards change in the downtown area, and adds that she will be including the feedback and suggestions in the strategic planning for the city.

“If people don’t feel safe downtown, then it is my responsibility to come down and try to make it safe,” said Baher.

But the meeting wasn’t without it’s fair share of critics.

“I didn’t feel as though it was useful because they tried to sell us. I don’t think we should be talking about the positives right now I think we should be talking about the negatives and what’s happening and what we can do to fix it, ” said attendee Chris Morton.

“Sure, we need the city to talk about how wonderful the city is but if you put lipstick on a pig, people are still going to see the pig,” said business owner Rod Lee who called the meeting “disingenuous” during a presentation.

A meeting is being on the issue of homelessness in the city . It is being put on by urban matters …. A man interrupts the speaker and says “this whole thing seems disingenuous to me “ pic.twitter.com/MpjOP9ZQsm

— Vernon Matters (@VernonMattersca) February 6, 2019

Lee says that he would like to see more boots on the ground when tackling the issue and to have more security present.

His business was robbed by needlepoint last December and says his 17-year-old employee suffers PTSD from the incident.

Critics of the meeting held today on homelessness have said that the meeting was too fluffy and didn't get down to the real issues. Here's organizer Jen Casorso responding to those critics #Vernonbc @cityofvernon pic.twitter.com/DyG95uK8fh

— Tiffany Goodwein (@CityNewsTiffany) February 6, 2019

Others at the meeting questioned why some property owners were excluded from attending, arguing that they too bear the brunt of the issue.

Jen Casorso with Urban Matters says that was a decision made primarily by the city, but agrees that property owners do play an important role in the conversation surrounding homelessness.

Asked Jen Casorso of Urban Matters as to why property owners were not invited to the meeting on #homelessness . The Property owners argue that they too have to bear the brunt of the issue in the city … She said to ask the @CityofVernon #vernonbc #northokanagan pic.twitter.com/3qjbwtbquP

— Tiffany Goodwein (@CityNewsTiffany) February 6, 2019

While another meeting has not been scheduled yet , she hopes that another one can be scheduled soon and that the city keeps the conversation going around safety and homelessness in the city.