I have received the following proposal from David Arthur Johnston. In light of the conciliatory tone of Mr. Johnston and other "right-to-sleep" advocates in our city, I trust that you will responsibly steward our tax dollars by aiming for a co-operative solution to our city's homelessness crisis.
Mr. Johnston, Ms. Woodruff, and others have extended an olive branch that holds out the hope of saving considerable city funds that would otherwise be squandered on policing, bylaw enforcement, and legal fees. Some allowance for tenting within the city limits seems entirely reasonable (and inevitable) during the transition period while we work with senior levels of government to build non-market supported housing for every person in need. Regulation of tenting, rather than outright prohibition, would mitigate the impact on residents and visitors in our city, while meeting a basic humanitarian need for our most vulnerable citizens.
I am happy to meet with any of you to discuss this matter.
Sincerely,
Ben Isitt
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From: David Johnston
Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Subject: My proposal to the Corporation of the City of Victoria
My proposal to the Corporation of the City of Victoria
Good day. I'm happy to write to you. I feel that we share a great
intimacy, having been through so much together. I realize we've been,
seemingly, poised against one another for a good long while, so there
is always concern of whether or not something is genuinely humble or
just some subtle way to bite, on both our parts, I presume.
That said, I believe we can come up with an amiable solution that
would even justify ceasing the appeal. Part of my proposal includes
the suggestion that I would not assert myself towards a tent-city if
the City could leave in place the ruling as it stands (maybe making a
list of places that cannot be used). In this way, the thing would
peacefully evolve, one way or the other. Put in a rule that says no
more than 4 tents. Patrol. Observe. Those practicing criminal
behaviour will remain easily recognizable from those good people just
putting their efforts to survival.
It is simple enough to work. The trust implied would be healthy and
enlightening on both sides. Industry need not be overtly affected and
the population would have a moment where they loved their government
for being wise enough to accept and face the hard times.
I ask, for a moment, not to be thought of as an adversary. There is a
huge problem here, and we here very much are feeling the indications
of the global condition. There is an opportunity here to do a right
thing that maybe has never been done before and understandably there
is apprehension. Patience be with us. Let us love truth and be
professional.
David Arthur Johnston
Victoria, BC, Canada
Hatrackman@Gmail.com
