LEADERSHIP NEEDED IN THE CORE

The downtown areas of both Mission and Abbotsford suffer from a few
unsavoury elements setting up shop there.

Most visible and troubling have been the hookers and drug dealers.

Not surprisingly, both municipalities are trying to employ the same method
to make things a little more G-rated in their core.

Both are pushing through zoning bylaws that would keep out those businesses
they say contribute to the ongoing urban blight of these neighbourhoods.

Abbotsford has so far been the more aggressive of the two, expanding the
grasp of their prohibition to the Salvation Army, which already offers
meals and other services to lost souls.

The contentious issue that still hangs before council members is whether
they will help the Army expand their services to provide a bridge house to
help addicts who have completed a recovery course rejoin their community.

When council first shot down the plan for the bridge house we told them
they were wrong. We, in turn, were criticized for not understanding the
needs of the core area of the city.

As we approach the Nov. 16 municipal elections, it's clear that urban
renewal for both cities is likely to be a major issue for anyone seeking
office.

What we're waiting for on this particular battle front is for someone to
stand up and suggest that eliminating pawn shops and soup kitchens from the
downtown is not the means by which this will happen.

Instead, we're waiting for someone who realizes that such an attitude means
that we have conceded defeat when it comes to getting our city back.

We're waiting for someone who realizes that there is no magic formula that
is suddenly going to transform the hellhole that is downtown Abbotsford
into the charming quaintness of Fort Langley.

Instead, we think it's time that someone stood up and suggested that those
hookers and drug dealers that we're all so anxious to scare away are part
of this community. They are a part we would prefer was better hidden, but
they're here and are our burden to bear.

So, instead of lame, one-dimensional plans that do little to offer a
significant solution to this problem, we're hoping for someone who actually
understands the problem and has the wisdom and compassion to fix it. That's
someone who will get our vote.