COMPASSION IS LOST

Editor:

When Turning Point applied to establish a recovery home on Odlin Road
(in 2000) the opposition was intense.

Reasons offered for opposing this project were hilarious, if it
weren't for being so sadly misinformed and misguided. Then and now
people were led by uninformed individuals enticing people to believe
that having a treatment center in their area will certainly result in crime.

Turning Point was eventually allowed to proceed with the project. The
crime never came. Turning Point became a good neighbour-a fact which
to this day is not acknowledged in Richmond and in the Odlin Road
neighbourhood.

Politicians cater to whoever is providing the most votes in the next
election. It is sad and disturbing when an affluent city turns its
back on the vulnerable in its midst. Compassion, kindness and
understanding seem to be totally lost. What a sad statement for a
city I so dearly love.

Fred Ursel Abbotsford, former Richmondite