Residents respond to Enderby eviction notice
"I AM EXTREMELY ANGRY WITH THE CITY AND HOW THEY'VE DEALT WITH THINGS."
ENDERBY – Zhao Walker, a 25-year-old artist who hitchhiked to the area four years ago, is one of the people who lived in the back of the Gypsy Bazaar in Enderby before the city evicted them.
For years, he helped run the shop, which sells wares by local artists, and has lived on and off in the communal living space behind the storefront. Over the past four months, his wife and four kids also called the building home.
“In average society, you tend to move into your own house and you have your own space. Here, no matter what… you’re going to run into people. We’re pretty open. It’s loving and it’s nurturing. It’s a choice thing; there’s a lot of ways to live.”
Two days after the city issued a do not occupy order, tenants have been allowed back into the building. They can’t stay, but they can finally collect their belongings. When city officials, the fire department and local police showed up in the early afternoon of Feb. 18, residents were told they could come back in the next day, during regular business hours, to pick up their things. But a sudden police investigation into a suspected chemical drug lab changed that. A police watch was set up outside the building, and no one was allowed in until the afternoon of Feb. 20, after HAZMAT teams from Vancouver concluded their visit. During that time, Walker was unable to return to feed his cats, collect things for his kids, or retrieve other valued possessions.
His family was put up in a local motel room—cramped he says, for the six of them and their dog. Others were forced to seek refuge at the homeless shelter in Vernon. He admits the place was getting too crowded, but the Gypsy Bazaar was always an open door to people in need.
“If you look in the Enderby classified ads, there’s not really other options, especially for people on income assistance,” he says.
Tenants pay between $300-$400, depending on which room they are renting out. The boarding portion of the building consists of several private rooms, and a shared kitchen, bathroom and dining room. Walker has a healing room filled with crystals and music equipment, items he says are his livelihood. The hallways connecting the rooms are covered in words and drawings—a canvas for the small community living there. Walker calls it a hub of creativity and art. The space is in disarray, but he says it’s not usually so messy. Doorknobs are broken where police forced their way in, dirt speckles the floor, and litter boxes for the cats haven’t been cleaned out in days.
Walker doesn’t have much to say about the investigation into the suspected drug lab, only that he knew all the tenants, and “no one in this building was doing something dangerous for anyone else living here” and “nobody has been pegged for whatever they were investigating.”
In the last year, he says there have been five building inspections, each one ending with a list of things that needed to be changed. He expected the same thing to happen after a Feb. 4 inspection.
“Instead, they stormed in here giving everyone this notice of eviction,” Walker says. “I am extremely angry with the city and how they’ve dealt with things. I can understand where they’re coming from, but the way they went about it is just not fair.”
He says the right thing to do would have been to give tenants more notice to pack and find other living arrangements. The building owner, who was not available for comment, would need to make substantial changes—and rezone the property—if the property was ever to be used residentially again. Walker isn’t counting on that. He’s packing his family’s things, and thinking about getting a big enough house to share with some of the friends they’ve made here.
“I just wish that whatever happens in this next while, that this place can continue to happen and transform into something instead of shutting down,” Walker says.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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30 responses
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child services had no complaints at all with the condition, they told me it was ‘a little untidy’ and in NO way blamed the parents in any way.
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How dare you? if you have the balls to list a story and impose on peoples lives, stand up and take the comments.
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Ted Moult With all due respect, I suggest you hear the story from the horses mouth. You have some amazing children who have done nothing but enjoy this place, practice their art, make meaningful connections with peers, and have had every opportunity to voice their needs at any time in the event of an abusive environment. I would personally notify you if that was the case, because I do not pick side, and wish to offer my honest mediation in this issue.I am doing my best to inform people and deal with the truth of the matter, so that we can all peacefully move forward and make decisions after being fully educated on both sides of the story.Sighting the media at this point is no accurate way to adjust your strategy, for it was all primarily based on unsubstantiated and circumstantial claims, that have since been proven to be false, admittedly so by the authorities themselves.I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have, and I’ll tell you what I have personally witnessed of your children during their time at the Gypsy Bazaar.Thank you for your consideration.
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Hi folks. My name is Andrew, I ived at the Gypsy Bazaar, and I would appreciate it of you got your facts straight. I know it is a great inconvenience to you to become educated on our side of the story, as the media is not covering it at all, and are smearing our name with outright lies all over the media.SO, for your convenience, I have compiled the following for your consideration. The sequence of events to the very best of my knowledge at present is as such:-a couple weeks ago during one of my shifts in the store, the building inspector and fire chief asst came in to inspect the building. We showed every hospitable courtesy, were more than cooperative the entire time to show them any space they felt could be an issue. They brought their concerns to our attention, made them clear, and said they would contact us at a later date with their recommendations, and directions on how we should proceed.-After receiving NO contact, no notification, no warning… on Wednesday morning, again on one of my shifts in the store, the RCMP, Fire chief asst, building inspectors, social workers and blue meanies entered the premises through our business entrance with an immediate order of evacuation for all people living in the Gypsy Bazaar.We were given until 4:30 that day to make arrangements for immediate relocation, and were strictly prohibited to the extent of a $10,000 dollar fine in the event that we are caught within the residential portion of the building, outside the allotted hours of 8am and 4:30 pm, effective IMMEDIATELY, no exceptions.-Upon encountering materials in the BASEMENT outside their frame of reference (kambucca tea) they called in the HAZMAT team from the coast to suit up and treat our building like a crime scene with dangerous toxic chemicals while they rolled out the media circus and referred to it as an “uninhabitable drug lab” in the main heading.-During the investigation, ALL access, commercial or otherwise was strictly prohibited, and enforced by RCMP watch. After the “investigation” concluded 2 days later, it was admitted that no illegal or truly hazardous chemicals or materials were detected in the premises.-Once granted access to the building, we observed signs that all the tenants personal dwellings had been entered and rummaged through during their stay. some of the doors to our rooms were busted open, and door knobs broken, for we each had the freedom to lock our own rooms if we wished, and had not anticipated the investigation. No major damages to our belongings were observed, but the place was quite disorderly and thrown around as a result of their “investigation”.-At the time of the eviction, we were given to the 25th, between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm for 10 adults and 4 children, all now homeless and scrambling, to make arrangements for our relocation. Since then we’ve negotiated that those conditions are completely unreasonable, and to my knowledge, the time restriction has been lifted to some degree.To the best of my knowledge, there was no court order or lawful warrant issued to justify their actions. Legal aid has been contacted to review if there was ever ANY legitimacy to their actions.Thank you for your consideration.
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You are the one who has been negative..right from the get go. I was standing up for the homeless…have you ever been homeless? Didn’t think so. I have a right to my own opinion too so quit trolling me hahaha.
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With all due respect, your excellency, I feel as if you are ill informed to have much to say in support or defense of either party. I appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion, but law is based upon facts, not opinions.the sequence of events to the best of my knowledge at present is as such:-a couple weeks ago during one of my shifts in the store, the building inspector and fire chief asst came in to inspect the building. We showed every hospitable courtesy, were more than cooperative the entire time to show them any space they felt could be an issue. They brought their concerns to our attention, made them clear, and said they would contact us at a later date with their recommendations, and directions on how we should proceed.-After receiving NO contact, no notification, no warning… on Wednesday morning, again on one of my shifts in the store, the RCMP, Fire chief asst, building inspectors, social workers and blue meanies entered the premises through our business entrance with an immediate order of evacuation for all people living in the Gypsy Bazaar.We were given until 4:30 that day to make arrangements for immediate relocation, and were strictly prohibited to the extent of a $10,000 dollar fine in the event that we are caught within the residential portion of the building, outside the allotted hours of 8am and 4:30 pm, effective IMMEDIATELY, no exceptions.-Upon encountering materials in the BASEMENT outside their frame of reference (kambucca tea) they called in the HAZMAT team from the coast to suit up and treat our building like a crime scene with dangerous toxic chemicals while they rolled out the media circus and referred to it as an “uninhabitable drug lab” in the main heading.-During the investigation, ALL access, commercial or otherwise was strictly prohibited, and enforced by RCMP watch. After the “investigation” concluded 2 days later, it was admitted that no illegal or truly hazardous chemicals or materials were detected in the premises.-Once granted access to the building, we observed signs that all the tenants personal dwellings had been entered and rummaged through during their stay. some of the doors to our rooms were busted open, and door knobs broken, for we each had the freedom to lock our own rooms if we wished, and had not anticipated the investigation. No major damages to our belongings were observed, but the place was quite disorderly and thrown around as a result of their “investigation”.-At the time of the eviction, we were given to the 25th, between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm for 10 adults and 4 children, all now homeless and scrambling, to make arrangements for our relocation. Since then we’ve negotiated that those conditions are completely unreasonable, and to my knowledge, the time restriction has been lifted to some degree.-One of our ELDER tenants who accepted one nights support at a shelter offered testimony to the standards and quality of the shelter we were provided, he was treated like a criminal, was stripped of his basic freedoms and dignity, and was asked to be grateful for it. He since has arranged his own accommodations as a result of those standards.To the best of my knowledge, there was no court order or lawful warrant issued to justify their actions. Legal aid has been brought on board to help us confirm the legitimacy of their actions.PERIOD. And good night.
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Now you both go on up and read what one of the kids said about their place. The ‘REALITY’…the truth.
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Daisy EarthChild you are telling me this place was clean? photographs clearly show different. No drug us? why the painted weed leaf and crack stains on the walls? Not un-safe, open? If you mean any stranger had access to young girls, with no locks on the door then you are too naive to comment. You lived with adults who were influnced by something – weed, love? empathy? whose responsibility it was and is to keep you safe. You might realize one day whatever I have done was to defend you. I see you and your friends view that as evil and I really pity you all. I hope anyone of your ‘enlightened friends’ will take care of you – my concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
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Ted Moult You would try to embarrass me and my siblings? I fail to see how you could do so, other than the unfortunate fact that we happen to be your children. You sure are showing fine examples of how great of a father you are though, by attempting to bash your own daughter in a public forum.The truth is not that the system is against you because you are a man, Brian — it is against you because you are unfit to be a father. I can attest to that.
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In my years of traveling the gypsy bazar was always a warm and welcoming port. Ben often took in those who needed help and often got nothing in return …. He has been struggling with his own disabilities to make a life and he saw a way to do that …. Many people have been fed sheltered clothed and given guidance with very little to nothing in return …. Ben has been struggling to make the monthly rent and utility payments from the little rent that actually does get paid on time ….. On top of that he provides a place with a very fair commission to local artists to try and sell their wares and I do mean try …. Ben has been opening his doors for years …. Maybe it’s time that the community come together and make the necessary Reno’s to keep it going
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Keep it civil, people. This is not the forum for resolving past disputes or child custody arrangements.
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Emily Witts I would embarass you, the children and your mother to comment what actually happened and what events led up to that. But what you say is not true. Dealing with social services as a man, I had to deal with bigotted assumptions as this. To reply to this article – in my opinion it is negligence of 7 adults first to have the decency to clean up. No apologies from a 5 1/2 month step-father on that. I cannot believe this was healthy, and I’m glad I’m no identifiying my children at a morge, just the embarassment of seing them on TV.
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Ted Moult — Brian Witts, why are you trying to make yourself out to be a hero? You forfeited your rights to your children when you locked them out of their own home. Are you forgetting that you are the reason they were homeless in the first place? Children: “Let mom in, dad! It’s cold out! Why won’t you let her in?” You: “Kids, if you walk out that door you will not be allowed to live here anymore. Choose me or your mother.” They were scared and wanted their mother — and then you slammed & locked the door behind their backs. That is emotional abuse and neglect.
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you fail to say it was I who complained to child services on more than 6 occasions – with no support em.
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Connie Cunningham You are trolling, I don’t know you but I do suggest you re-read the article and this one too http://globalnews.ca/news/1839535/north-okanagan-residents-homeless-after-building-deemed-unsafe/.
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I don’t see how anyone can be upset over this. The building was deemed an unsafe fire hazard and the owner was given ample time and plenty of warnings to amend the problem areas. It was his failure to do so that prompted additional inspections. As for the city calling for a HAZMAT unit — they were just doing their jobs. It is simply protocol to inspect unmarked chemicals when they are found in such abundance, regardless of what they are claimed to be. There is every possibility that there could have been harmful chemicals involved.The children involved in this case, who happen to be my younger siblings, really should be placed in adequate care. My mother has subjected them to years of neglect and abuse — as has my father. Child services has been alerted to their plight many times in the past, but to no avail. My parents always seem to slip through the cracks.
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The building should be torn down? Do you people honestly know anything about this place, have you ever been inside of it. Or do you just spend your days soaking up whatever mindless dreck the media decides to broadcast into your brain as truth.There were no drugs, just Kombucha Cultures.Several Herbal Dies in solvent.and a Medicinal Mycelium growth operation.None of those things are illegal.This building has running water, 2 skylights a massive filtration system for air anyone who enjoys to smoke cigarettes. This place has more accommodations probably than Tainte Bengstons or Greg McCune’s Glass Houses on the Hill Top and we probably operate using a much smaller carbon footprint. To me they seem like people who enjoy Air Conditioning and running the Furnace on high.The fact that some kind of diluted bureaucracy was put into action simply to try to destroy Ben Fultons business is disgusting. This is Prime Real Estate in Downtown Enderby. Enderby is a small Bankrupt little town encroaching on native land.If the consensus stands, that the town of Enderby doesn’t want to maintain a piece of it’s cultural heritage by allowing this place to maintain in operation within good standing in the community. As being it is the only metaphysical hippy commune this town has ever seen. We’re getting shunned right out of the community by right wing Fascists.It’s a good thing this land right here is owned by the family involved with building and this business. With that in mind this township won’t be able to just drive him off his land, in an attempt to make some money off of him for profitable downtown developments here in Enderby.Enderby, all I have to say is, I hope you enjoy the concept of a 24/7 Convenience Store with a Giant big Neon Blue Sign that is Open 24/7 blocking out your view of the mountain and of the night sky. At this rate, you’re going to get all the cigarettes and.junk food you could ever want.Land that is owned can be subcontracted to Businesses. Be it a Convenience Store, a Tim Hortons, or whatever chain will be profitable to all of the people involved.
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The building should be torn down? Do you people honestly know anything about this place, have you ever been inside of it. Or do you just spend your days soaking up whatever mindless dreck the media decides to broadcast into your brain as truth.There were no drugs, just Kombucha Cultures.Several Herbal Dies in solvent.and a Medicinal Mycelium growth operation.None of those things are illegal.This building has running water, 2 skylights a massive filtration system for air anyone who enjoys to smoke cigarettes. This place has more accommodations probably than Tainte Bengstons or Greg McCune’s Glass Houses on the Hill Top and we probably operate using a small carbon footprint.The fact that some kind of diluted bureaucracy was put into action simply to try to destroy Ben Fultons business is disgusting. This is Prime Real Estate in Downtown Enderby. Enderby is a small Bankrupt little town encroaching on native land.If the consensus stands, that the town of Enderby doesn’t want to maintain a piece of it’s cultural heritage by allowing this place to maintain in operation within good standing in the community. As being it is the only metaphysical hippy commune this town has ever seen. We’re getting shunned right out of the community by right wing Fascists.It’s a good thing this land right here is owned by the family involved with building and this business. With that in mind this township won’t be able to just drive him off his land, in an attempt to make some money off of him for profitable downtown developments here in Enderby.Enderby, all I have to say is, I hope you enjoy the concept of a 24/7 Convenience Store with a Giant big Neon Blue Sign that is Open 24/7 blocking out your view of the mountain and of the night sky. At this rate, you’re going to get all the cigarettes and.junk food you could ever want.Land that is owned can be subcontracted to Businesses. Be it a Convenience Store, a Tim Hortons, or whatever chain will be profitable to all of the people involved.
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the amount of time money and effort put into prosecution could have easily payed to make the place into what everyone wants it to become.Imagine what that place would be like if the people who owned it where rich enough to make it fully bloom into the community based space that everyone who gathered there wants it to become?
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I’m not from BC, i do have family there, but am no stranger to unlicensed rental properties, Calgary has many and the city is trying to get a handle on them.These facilities are not safe, they don’t follow building or fire codes, and to put children in harms way is simply wrong.Five Inspections?Should have closed on the first until building and fire codes were met AND a licence was obtained. No exceptions. What grown adults do, or don’t do, they can suffer the consequences, but as soon as children are involved, the game changes. There are safe and proper shelters for those who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. If the Vernon shelter is full, then go to Kelowna, if that’s full, then find another place where its not full. there is a system, take advantage of it.As an adult, if you want to be closer to the earth or whatever reason you’ve chosen or found yourself in and have to live this way, go for it, but when you have a child, nothing else matters. You must do everything you can to give this child a chance to succeed.As one lady states that there was no charges so what evidence of drugs was there; cops are smart, a simple possession charge is likely to get a slap on the wrist and tie up the courts.There may have been lots of evidence, just none strong enough to support a trafficking or endangerment charge.Doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.
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Isn’t that strange. Noone was charged with possession…so what ‘evidence’ is there hmm?
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I am the natural father of the 4 children involved. I was never told where they were – I am disgusted to see the living conditions, the evidence of drugs, the fact there are 6 other adults in the ‘home’ with 4 children 14 and under is in my opinion not on. I will be taking steps…..
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Living the good life are ya? Must be nice now go take that silver spoon out of your mouth.
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I find it appalling how people who are working on a grassroots level to effect positive change in the community are treated.These people are truly beautiful souls.The rediculousness of this situation right down to having the HAZMAT team come in to inspect for example what is in those large jars (Kombucha), is beyond inappropriate. Love to those who were displaced.
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