NIMBYS TURN OUT IN FORCE

NIMBYism showed up in force at South Meredian Elementary School's
gymnasium Monday.

It was the resounding theme of a public meeting to answer concerns
about a drug and alcohol recovery house proposed for the South Surrey
neighbourhood. Throughout the evening, Dave Houston and Ed Warnke,
owner and manager of The Launching Pad, were questioned and
blasted-and, at times, supported-on plans to 17 addicts at a facility
located at 984 160 St.

After hearing from Houston, Warnke, and a number of people who either
have lived or are now living there, a number of residents among 300
in attendance voiced sometimes heated opposition.

Concerns ranged from a lack of trust borne of The Launching Pad
operating at above allowable levels before receiving rezoning
approval, to property values, and neighbourhood safety.

The facility is already home to at least a dozen recovering
residents. "Most people feel the people who are coming here are
problems from some place else that we're going to have to deal with,"
said George Heath, questioning why Houston and Warnke are shifting
the facility from its former site in Aldergrove.

"(We're) not opposed to the work you're doing. What the issue is, is
where you're going to do it."

George Pasek presented a petition against the proposal bearing 443 signatures.

"You seem to be completely out of touch with the wishes of your
neighbours," he told Houston and Warnke.

The Launching Pad is touted offering those who come out of a detox
program a safe place to live while they learn to fit back into
society. Houston and Warnke, both recovering alcoholics, moved the
program from Aldergrove to the larger 160 Street facility in June.

They want the property rezoned from special care housing to
comprehensive development in order to legally house up to 17 people
in the program. Residents are screened through referrals, and none
are using alcohol or drugs, they said.

In addition to ensuring residents attend daily Alcoholics Anonymous
meetings, the pair help them with job-seeking and other life skills.
Many residents volunteer in the community.

Houston and Warnke didn't have statistics on recovery or relapse
rates through their program, as they don't track residents after they
move on. Some keep in touch, some return for help, and others are
never heard from again, they said.

They did say the Peninsula is home to a large population of
recovering alcoholics. Forty-five regular AA meetings take place
within a two-mile radius of The Launching Pad, Houston said, with as
many as 150 people attending each.

The Launching Pad's location, former home of Twin Cedars Care
Facility, is "superb for what we want," Houston said.

"We're a good neighbour."

Sue Hodson, a shop steward at Peace Arch Hospital who lives three
blocks from the house, "fully supports" the project.

She voiced concern at the attitude of those opposed, saying she was
confused by those suggesting places like Whalley and Aldergrove are
more appropriate. "I'm really concerned about the attitude that White
Rock people don't deserve a Launching Pad whereas other communities
do deserve a Launching Pad," she said.

"The reality is (alcoholics and addicts, recovering and not) have
always been in your backyard to some degree, and not always do people
know that. "I fully support this. I also consider it a privilege to
have that in my community."

PAH social worker Marion LeBlanc agreed, saying people suffering in
this community should have a place to recover close to home.

"I'm quite offended that it's 'not-in-my-backyard,'" she said.

Tom Russell, a Kent Street resident and former principal of Peace
Arch Elementary, disagreed. The potential for what could happen if a
Launching Pad resident fell off the wagon and endangered local
children is not worth it, he said.

"Nobody here is criticizing the work these people do," he said.

"We came for the risk this is placing on this society. I know these
people work hard, but I wouldn't sacrifice one child for a mistake.
"You're just asking too much of us."

The proposal is still in preliminary stages. It still has to go to a
public hearing and Surrey council before a decision is made.

Surrey planning department's Nicholas Lai said earlier any rezoning
bylaw would likely be "drawn very tightly...in terms of what it can
be used for and how many people are allowed."