CANDIDATES ZERO IN ON GROUP HOMES

Location is everything when it comes to the group homes debate, says
council candidate Hanson Lau.

Residents who protested outside the alcohol and drug recovery home called
Turning Point in 1999 were not simply a vocal minority, contends Lau, who
has been at the centre of the controversy. He thinks the group home would
have sparked anger wherever it was located.

"If they say the majority of residents don't mind, why don't they just do
it then. . . in Terra Nova?" Lau said.

Although Turning Point was located in another area of Richmond for six
years prior to its 1999 move, and had only one complaint during that time,
the Richmond Canadian Voters candidate is so sure of his conviction, he's
willing to stake his political future on it.

"If there was no reaction (in Terra Nova) whatsoever, I would withdraw my
candidacy from council," he added.

According to provincial regulations, group homes with up to six people may
locate in any residential area they choose. Facilities with 11 or more must
apply for special zoning. The city can exercise some control over the
location of homes with seven to 10 persons, if it chooses, through the
zoning process. If it chooses, the city has the power to turn down a
license application.

The group home task force is expected to make recommendations to council at
the end of this month about what changes, if any, should be made to the bylaw.

Lau is pushing for a change to the zoning bylaw so that new group homes
with seven to 10 people would go through a public hearing process, offering
the public a chance to have their say.

Lau said he has no problem with most group homes, but recovering addicts he
finds objectionable neighbours.

Council candidate Ken Lam opposes a bylaw change, saying it could ghettoize
people who live in group homes.

"I don't see the necessity of people who require help being put in a
special area," Lam said.

Group homes have been a part of the community for many years and haven't
caused a problem so far, he added.

Lam believes the $110,000 task force has been a waste of money, and seems
only to be geared at educating people about what group homes are. Lam said
people should learn about group homes on their own, rather than listening
to people who might lead them astray.

"I studied up. If people would (only) study the issue instead of allowing
someone to make it so big," he said.

Sharon Birch thinks the task force is a useful exercise and provides a good
opportunity to revisit the regulations. But any changes should reflect a
tolerant approach.

"I think you have to look at it very carefully," the council candidate said.

Birch said she has a recovery home in her own neighbourhood, and didn't
know until three years ago.

"You have to realize drug and alcohol abuse is a disease. We owe it to our
neighbours to help them."

Birch said she opposes any bylaw that would prevent group homes from moving
where they chose.

"We just have to have saner heads and not panic before it's necessary," she
said.

The Richmond Review will be surveying candidates on a variety of topics
leading up to Oct. 13's byelection. Because of the sheer number of
candidates running, not all candidates will appear in each survey, though
every candidate will be featured at one point.