On my way to the airport this holiday season I picked up a copy of The Parksville Qualicum Beach News and the first thing that caught my eye was the headline: “City ponders donation.”
I’m always interested in what city officials are donating to as it seems to me they are pretty liberal with taxpayers’ money. However, after reading this article, I’m glad we have councillors who are sympathetic to the homeless and are prepared to stand up for them by providing housing.
We live in a great country where most of us have never gone without a meal or a roof over our head. We won’t or can’t identify with those who, for whatever reason, haven’t made it. In many cases, it’s not their fault, as they have been dealt a bad hand, and if we had been in their position we would be in the same place.
Please, for once let’s show a little love and mercy to those in our society who our down on their luck and at least give them a place to sleep.
I commend Coun. Al Greir for the work he has already done in discussing this with the Homelessness Task Force, which apparently was ecstatic with the idea.
The building in question has been vacant for five years. The prospects don’t look very good in making it a viable business. It is right downtown and so I can’t think of a better use for it. I’m sure if the word was put out to churches and community organizations that there would be a lot of support.
Wes HullParksville