NEIGHBOURS AND DIRECTORS CONTINUE DISPUTE

An elderly man living across the street from the Hannah House, a centre for
recovering drug addicts and alcoholics, was lining up cement boulders along
his property line on Friday afternoon as supporters of the house piled in
through the front door.

The Innervisions rehabilitation house on Dunbar Street celebrated its
official opening at the beginning of February, but neighbours are presuming
the house is a problem starter and not solver.

Walter Sagorski, who lives across the street from the house, said he is
concerned about the property value of his home and pointed to the torn-up
grass on the lawn across the street. Parking and increased traffic on the
residential street are among the many concerns for the Maple Ridge homeowner.

Sagorski said he originally installed a no-parking sign to border his
property, but then decided the rocks and string attached to polls could
make his point clear.

A director, Cory Wint, from the Innervisions Recovery Society stepped
outside to address the residents concerns on Friday afternoon.

"Look, we are here now," he said. "When is all of this going to end," he
asked Sagorski from the foot of the driveway.

Although there is controversy between neighbours and staff and negativity
related to the house location, Billy Weselowski, the executive director at
Innervisions, said the group of six staff and its residents are motivated
by keeping people happy.

"We are wanting to keep traffic down and are motivated to be the best
neighbours," he said.

The home, which will house 10 women, officially opened on the first of
February after renovations were completed to accommodate the residents
needing rehabilitation.

Sherry Smallwood, who said she didn't mind having her name published, moved
into the housing facility a few days ago and is already benefiting by being
there. She said she believes the first step in the recovery process relates
to the actual act of asking for help.

"Throughout my life I've always figured I'm in control. At some point you
need to say I've had enough and surrender your will. For the first time in
my life I can say I didn't take the back exit door," said the teary-eyed,
34-year old, recovering drug addict and alcoholic.

Weselowski said he wanted a house in the area because Maple Ridge is in
need of this type of recovery centre.

"The house makes a whole lot of sense," he said. "For every hundred
addicts, 40 are women and they need a place to get help."

The director, who said he has been clean and sober for 13 years, started
Innervisions 10 years ago to help people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

"I was on skid row myself," he said. "I know that it does no good to talk
about change so I instead model it."

The women follow strict instructions, according to Weselowski, and their
daily routines are filled with activities that aid in the recovery process.
Counseling, educational videos and clean and sober meetings occur on a
regular basis.

Local MLA, Ken Stewart and Christy Clark, the minister of education and
deputy premier attended the grand-opening event.

Stewart said he is hoping the facility will operate in the same manner as
other Innervision facilities. "They're had some good experience in the
past," he said. "It's one of those things that if the program runs true to
its course then it will be successful."