COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN BLAMED FOR LATEST NEEDLE EXCHANGE DISPUTE

Trouble Between New Neighbours Is Traced Back To VIHA

The surprise to Franklyn Street business owners that a health clinic
including a needle exchange will become their neighbour next month is
being attributed to a breakdown in communications at the Vancouver
Island Health Authority.

Coun. Merv Unger, chairman of the Safer Downtown working committee,
said there was an "internal breakdown" of communications within VIHA.
The clinic, though run by the Nanaimo and Area Resource and Services
for Families, is funded by VIHA.

Unger, Mayor John Ruttan and city staff met on Thursday with Dr.
Richard Stanwick, VIHA's chief medical health officer, and NARSF.
Stanwick did not return a call to the Daily News on Thursday.

"The outcome is we will meet as soon as we can get the Safer committee
together," said Unger.

Eric McLean, president of the Old City Quarter Association, said that
VIHA last year committed to the Nanaimo City Centre Association and
the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership -- and by default to the Old City
Quarter Association -- to consult before taking any such action
downtown. "Once again (from) an organization that's spending thousands
of dollars to fix its communications. . . what do they need to do?"
asked McLean.

While Unger said they will examine the safety concerns of businesses
in the area, he said they must also hear more from VIHA.

"We have to go to VIHA and get them to spell out the next step," said
Unger.

He said that VIHA is now starting on the consultation process, but
McLean said local business owners are committed to stopping the clinic
from going in that location.

"We know from the current location (on Cavan Street) the problems have
been much worse than represented," he said. "The issue is not the
concept but the location."

Jane Templeman, a spokeswoman for NARSF, called the meeting
"productive" and said they are eager to sit down with the Safer committee.

Though Templeman referred all questions about who should have
consulted to Stanwick, she did say that key phone calls were not
followed up in part due to the municipal election.

"This was a case of something moving in that was unexpected and they
are upset," said Unger.

He said studies need to be done on how the clinic can fit in to the
area, and may require adjustments to things like fencing, lighting and
the hours the clinic is open. A Good Neighbour Agreement will also be
drawn up.

"If it's well-controlled they won't even know it's there," said
Unger.

McLean said the OCQ is now looking at the zoning as one avenue of
opposition, and promises they will continue their fight.