COUNCIL BLEW THIS DECISION

It's been a week and we're still having trouble accepting the logic from
five members of Abbotsford's city council who effectively killed the
Salvation Army's latest effort to care for our downtrodden.

The Army's 'bridge house' was planned for the church's downtown location
and almost immediately ran into opposition, primarily from business owners
in the area. They tried to sell the argument that since so many drug
dealers, users and hookers already populate the downtown that it was the
wrong place to try and help people suffering the effects of that lifestyle.

We never bought that argument. It never rang sincere.

The Army is already doing great work and needs to be in the core, among
those who need their help most - usually shelter and a hot meal.

The bridge house was going to build on that mission, providing a kind of
transition home for those who have successfully completed drug and alcohol
treatment programs. It was a natural and compassionate extension of their
service to their community.

However, what John McEwan, community ministries director for the Salvation
Army, never counted on was the power and influence the business community
could exert over our elected officials.

It's the only reasonable explanation.

The logic behind the argument against that location for the bridge house is
so flawed we can only surmise that some council members were co-opted by
interests other than the public good.

There seems to be the ridiculous belief among some in the Abbotsford
Downtown Business Association that if they shun the undesirables to the
outskirts of the city they can somehow transform the core into another
version of Fort Langley.

The short-sightedness of such a notion is not only insulting to those who
rely on the goodwill of the Salvation Army, but to the Army itself.

Because when we wonder who needs help in this city and are looking for the
best way to lend them a hand, the ADBA is probably the last group we'd
solicit. We'll put our faith in the Army.

And if the Salvation Army tells us the bridge house needs to be downtown,
that's good enough for us. They're the ones doing the work, they get to
make the call.

And that should have been good enough for more than four members of
Abbotsford council.