iN DISCUSSION: Why wishing won’t restore vital service for homeless people in Kamloops

This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

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The latest wisdom from Kamloops city council

Follow me for a moment as we consider the latest wisdom from Kamloops city council.

First some background. The city was for many years home to The Loop, a drop in day centre supporting homeless people so they could clean up and eat some food. It was run by volunteers.

But it was messy, as you might expect. It attracted some ne’er-do-wells, some violence, arguing, social problems, etc.

Nearby businesses hated it and the city was intent on shutting it down, issuing thousands of dollars in “nuisance” fines.

And they got what they wanted. The building was sold, the operation was largely over and the problem gone, for everyone but the homeless people. 

So now, of course, city council is pushing the provincial government for a day-space facility for homeless people. You know, somewhere people can gather, clean up and have a meal. 

They ran the volunteer organization into the ground, left this vital service vacant for a year without any plans for a backup. Now they’re still debating if they want to play provincial government games while lobbying and wishing and hoping for help while winter is (presumably) coming.

I just don’t get it. 

Anyway, that’s what’s on my mind as I wait for Santa. How about you? Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Mj

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

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Wishing you a wonderful Christmas

I’ve got generations of family sleeping like puppies around my home wherever they can find a cozy spot.

My counters are filled with homemade sugar cookies, Nanaimo bars and new family favourites. We’ll spend hours together cooking and eating for the next three days.

My house is colourful and filled with joyous lights and pretty things. My house is in a great neighbourhood in a nice city surrounded with boundless natural beauty, bounty and opportunity, in a free and open country.

There’s even a skiff of snow on the ground this morning, a nice cleansing chill to the air.

Listen folks, I complain here a lot. I absorb and comment on the latest news, often heavy stuff. I worry about what’s happening, what’s happened and the many ways things might happen.

But don’t get me wrong, I know what I’ve got. I recognize my blessings every day.

And I think the two are related.

Some people find the news depressing. How am I supposed to feel about this tragedy far away, or people losing their jobs in my community or about the victim of a crime? What am I supposed to do with this information?

Well, let it make you feel all kinds of ways, what’s wrong with that? That’s the point of art, media and communication.

They certainly needn’t be consuming. Most times, nothing is expected of you, it’s not your responsibility to solve problems, although maybe there is something you can do, who knows? Certainly can’t do anything if you don’t know about it.

Do something/don’t do something: I don’t think that matters. 

What matters is, by following the news, I give my community the most basic respect of understanding, not ignoring my neighbour’s plight or their position, even if I can’t do anything about it but vote. It’s connection, empathy. It’s human.

I honour that by, at the very least, appreciating what I’ve got. I can’t take for granted my family, my freedoms, my rights, my time when I see how others react when they’re taken away.

How can you.

That starts with another day, another beautiful day. 

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and make the most of your beautiful days.

Mj

Marshall Jones,

Managing Editor

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iN RESONSE

Judge awards 45-year Lillooet pharmacy employee $150K for ‘callous and reprehensible’ firing

Good for her. The town should boycott the store but I’m guessing it maybe the only one.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

Gift wrapping isn’t an art, it’s math in disguise: UBC researcher

I love this. My wrapping always looks like 2-year-old did it. Now I know why.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

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Tara Armstrong Recall Countdown

Tara Armstrong is currently the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. She rode the coattails of the BC Conservative Party, got elected, then rejected and left the party to serve as an Independent within weeks because the Conservatives were too left wing. Now she gets to spout moronic, hateful rhetoric and claim that her riding supports her.

Elections BC says you can recall an MLA if 40% of eligible voters in the riding sign a recall petition — but not for the first 18 months after an election. Some people started an online petition calling for a byelection once she made a shift to independent, then got herself a raise by forming her own party, but it won’t mean anything until the countdown clock hits zero.

So let the countdown begin!

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Disclaimer: Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of the editor, iNFOnews.ca, iNFOTEL MULTIMEDIA, its partners, principals or advertisers.