Homeless in Abbotsford, BC
I DO NOT, HAVE NOT, WOULD NOT ever suggest throwing money at a problem. I am a REALIST, believing in examining a problem to understand what the situation IS. I am not an Ideologue who, wearing the blinders of ideology, looks at a situation and sees what they want to see, not what really is. There is NO perfect solution. A system dealing with people demands flexibility and denies neat, easy answers. Rigidly applying Ideology guarantees failure. How I came to homelessness: click Backstory below.
The Wisdom of Yoda.
Do or do not. There is no try.
What does it say about us as a society that a science fiction fictional character reflects more common sense on the question of ending homelessness than our so-called leaders. We must make a choice about homelessness – either we end it or we don’t.
As Mr. Philip Mangano’s visit to Abbotsford makes clear, as evidenced by the experience of U.S. cities including some of similar size to Abbotsford, ending homelessness is a matter of our choice.
If we choose to end homelessness then the symptoms that come with homelessness will end and we will have nothing to bitch about; if we choose to not end homelessness then stop bitching about the symptoms – you chose to live with them.
In either case stop bitching. All our “trying” has accomplishing is nothing – except to waste the resources we could bring to bear on ending homelessness.
Do or do not. Choose.
Do or do not. There is no try.
What does it say about us as a society that a science fiction fictional character reflects more common sense on the question of ending homelessness than our so-called leaders. We must make a choice about homelessness – either we end it or we don’t.
As Mr. Philip Mangano’s visit to Abbotsford makes clear, as evidenced by the experience of U.S. cities including some of similar size to Abbotsford, ending homelessness is a matter of our choice.
If we choose to end homelessness then the symptoms that come with homelessness will end and we will have nothing to bitch about; if we choose to not end homelessness then stop bitching about the symptoms – you chose to live with them.
In either case stop bitching. All our “trying” has accomplishing is nothing – except to waste the resources we could bring to bear on ending homelessness.
Do or do not. Choose.
The Wisdom of Youth.
One of the most telling comments on homelessness that came out of Philip Mangano’s visit to Abbotsford was from someone not even in attendance.
In speaking to a planner I know after hearing Mr. Mangano’s experiences in successfully beginning to end homelessness, she related the wisdom passed on to her by her eight year old daughter. Previous to Mr. Mangano’s visit she, the planner that is, had been involved in the FVRD mayor’s forum on homelessness held about a year ago in Chilliwack. In explaining the trip to Abbotsford her daughter was informed we would be talking about homelessness.
Her daughter was amazed. Almost a year latter and we were still talking about homelessness – having taken no action to end the disgrace of homelessness. Year after year we keep talking and wringing our hands; year after year homelessness keeps growing.
Perhaps it is time we take the young lady’s advice: shut up, commit our will and ourselves to ending homelessness and putting our resources where our rhetoric is.
One of the most telling comments on homelessness that came out of Philip Mangano’s visit to Abbotsford was from someone not even in attendance.
In speaking to a planner I know after hearing Mr. Mangano’s experiences in successfully beginning to end homelessness, she related the wisdom passed on to her by her eight year old daughter. Previous to Mr. Mangano’s visit she, the planner that is, had been involved in the FVRD mayor’s forum on homelessness held about a year ago in Chilliwack. In explaining the trip to Abbotsford her daughter was informed we would be talking about homelessness.
Her daughter was amazed. Almost a year latter and we were still talking about homelessness – having taken no action to end the disgrace of homelessness. Year after year we keep talking and wringing our hands; year after year homelessness keeps growing.
Perhaps it is time we take the young lady’s advice: shut up, commit our will and ourselves to ending homelessness and putting our resources where our rhetoric is.
Like a dog chasing its tail ....
Crime-ridden Clearbrook issued a call for an interesting variation of the NIMBY syndrome, calling on the City of Abbotsford to solve their crime problems by driving this mayhem into other neighbourhoods. With neighbours like that …Although one can see why residents advocate this course of action, since many of Clearbrook’s current crime problems arise as a result of actions by the Downtown Business Association (DBA), it remains a very un-neighbourly way to behave and ultimately self-defeating.
While the previous paragraphs have a certain tongue-in-cheek component, at their core is a solid truth. The police are not a solution, clearly demonstrated by Clearbrook’s current difficulties. Months ago, when the DBA was using the police to drive many of the homeless out of the downtown area and away from their survival support systems, I pointed out all they were really doing was being bad neighbours, inflicting their problems on their neighbours throughout the city.
It is currently Clearbrook’s misfortune and massive headache that they are the victims of the major portion of the fallout of the Downtown Abbotsford Businesses behaviour. That the calamity currently befalling Clearbrook is thanks to the DBA, is no excuse to solve Clearbrook’s problems by inflicting them on another neighbourhood. All the police would do is chase the problem out of Clearbrook into someone else’s backyard – nice for Clearbrook, hard on the sacrificial neighbourhood.
The uncomfortable, perhaps even painful truth is that the only way to solve these problems, as opposed to just inflicting them on someone else, is to stop repeating what we have done over and over ad nauseum to no avail, and begin to act with thought, planning, deliberation and commitment to actually end the problems with housing and support services that have led to Clearbrook’s miseries.
It is not by accident that Clearbrook, with no social support such as the Food Bank or Salvation Army, is being laid waste by crime. Lacking any support the homeless and those living in poverty must in effect pillage the Clearbrook neighbourhood for their daily survival. We can either keep the homeless et al moving from neighbourhood to neighbourhood like a ravaging Mongol horde until they arrive back at their starting point in downtown old Abbotsford OR we can take intelligent actions.
Insanely keep doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome this time OR think and act to end homelessness. Choose, although it does seem a pretty clear choice to this citizen.
I'm what?
One does not tend to think of oneself as testimony, but Mr. Philip Mangano during his talk at Centennial Auditorium reminded me that I am testimony to the fact that homelessness can be ended.
The important keys to my beginning the journey out of homelessness were support and opportunity. I say beginning because I am currently still living in the Supported Independent Living Units at the Salvation Army in Abbotsford. And the most important needs to move on into a stable state of being “homed”? Support and opportunity continue to be the keys.
When I think about the path that led me into and through homelessness to my current place in transitional housing, I am struck by just how fortunate I have been when it comes to finding the support I needed. This good fortune is underscored because I see so many others who, failing to get the support they need, continue to live the life of misery that is homelessness.
I may never win prize draws, lotteries etc. but there is no denying the great luck or fortune I have had in obtaining the support I needed when I truly needed it.
I have also been most fortunate in having information about opportunities, not just cross my path, but come to my attention at a time I was ready or able to take advantage of the opportunity. Being aware of an outpatient depression group at MSA psychiatric does one no good unless you are ready to pursue that course of recovery.
Sometimes opportunities need to be supported by other opportunities. At the same time the opportunity to move out of my car and into the SIL units arrived, I also was presented with the opportunity to be in outpatient treatment at MSA. After more than a year and a half living in my car the move back inside was stressful and full of mental health issues. Being an outpatient was instrumental in successfully dealing with the stress and issues of the move “inside”.
If we want to end homelessness we need to be willing to invest in opportunity and support.
Opportunities in the form of available, affordable housing; programs for recovery from addiction and mental illness; to find gainful employment; to build social connections; to regain self-esteem and self-belief; to become productive, respected members of the community.
Support in a variety of levels and forms. Support to get through the rough times; to offer encouragement to press on in dealing with problems and challenges; someone and somewhere to turn to for help at anytime it is needed and for anything that is needed; to make them part of the community; to learn and make better/wiser choices; to make the truly tough choices; to just be there and listen.
Support in varying levels matching the level needed by each individual and in a timeframe appropriate to each individual. The homeless are not one thing but encompass a broad spectrum of people. Some of the homeless will need only a little support for a short period of time, some will need a great deal of support for rest of their lives, the bulk of the homeless will fall somewhere between these extremes.
Provide opportunity and support and we can end homelessness – if we choose. Mr, Mangano’s leadership has resulted in proof, in the form of significant reductions in homelessness in cities across the U.S., that we can end homelessness. We need leadership, willpower, stealing the best, most successful practices already tested in the field and the application of solid business management practices.
All we need to do is be willing to stop doing, over and over and over, what we know does not work and be willing to pursue actions we know will effect positive change.
I am testimony to the fact we can end homelessness.
One does not tend to think of oneself as testimony, but Mr. Philip Mangano during his talk at Centennial Auditorium reminded me that I am testimony to the fact that homelessness can be ended.
The important keys to my beginning the journey out of homelessness were support and opportunity. I say beginning because I am currently still living in the Supported Independent Living Units at the Salvation Army in Abbotsford. And the most important needs to move on into a stable state of being “homed”? Support and opportunity continue to be the keys.
When I think about the path that led me into and through homelessness to my current place in transitional housing, I am struck by just how fortunate I have been when it comes to finding the support I needed. This good fortune is underscored because I see so many others who, failing to get the support they need, continue to live the life of misery that is homelessness.
I may never win prize draws, lotteries etc. but there is no denying the great luck or fortune I have had in obtaining the support I needed when I truly needed it.
I have also been most fortunate in having information about opportunities, not just cross my path, but come to my attention at a time I was ready or able to take advantage of the opportunity. Being aware of an outpatient depression group at MSA psychiatric does one no good unless you are ready to pursue that course of recovery.
Sometimes opportunities need to be supported by other opportunities. At the same time the opportunity to move out of my car and into the SIL units arrived, I also was presented with the opportunity to be in outpatient treatment at MSA. After more than a year and a half living in my car the move back inside was stressful and full of mental health issues. Being an outpatient was instrumental in successfully dealing with the stress and issues of the move “inside”.
If we want to end homelessness we need to be willing to invest in opportunity and support.
Opportunities in the form of available, affordable housing; programs for recovery from addiction and mental illness; to find gainful employment; to build social connections; to regain self-esteem and self-belief; to become productive, respected members of the community.
Support in a variety of levels and forms. Support to get through the rough times; to offer encouragement to press on in dealing with problems and challenges; someone and somewhere to turn to for help at anytime it is needed and for anything that is needed; to make them part of the community; to learn and make better/wiser choices; to make the truly tough choices; to just be there and listen.
Support in varying levels matching the level needed by each individual and in a timeframe appropriate to each individual. The homeless are not one thing but encompass a broad spectrum of people. Some of the homeless will need only a little support for a short period of time, some will need a great deal of support for rest of their lives, the bulk of the homeless will fall somewhere between these extremes.
Provide opportunity and support and we can end homelessness – if we choose. Mr, Mangano’s leadership has resulted in proof, in the form of significant reductions in homelessness in cities across the U.S., that we can end homelessness. We need leadership, willpower, stealing the best, most successful practices already tested in the field and the application of solid business management practices.
All we need to do is be willing to stop doing, over and over and over, what we know does not work and be willing to pursue actions we know will effect positive change.
I am testimony to the fact we can end homelessness.
Incoming!
Councilor Christine Caldwell pulled the pin and tossed a live hand grenade, in the form of a letter, into Abbotsford City Hall on Plan A before jetting off to Europe.
I do not want to get bogged down in arguments about political opportunism or of not having the courage to stand up and put it all on the line for what you believe rather than fleeing to the safety of.
Instead I want to focus on what disturbs me and should have all citizens demanding that heads roll. Most disturbing is Caldwell’s stated concern over “many services being cut in many departments throughout the city”. In a city that is so poorly served by its local government the last thing we need is services being cut. Clearly senior staff and council have no sense of priorities on what is important to the Citizens of Abbotsford.
Secondly, Caldwell cities the “Unforeseen Expenses” for Plan A which she believes have not yet come to light. Welcome to the club. Despite the slick sales job by City Hall, focused on selling the $85 million price tag, thoughtful citizens have been demanding to know all the actual costs. To date the total price tag stands at $108.6 and what the final cost will be is anybody’s guess.
Finally she says “I feel I was led down the garden path …Some of the decisions … would appear different as time went along. Over weeks of manipulating, shifting and tweaking the projects seemed to morph into a different story.” Again, welcome to the club. Thoughtful citizens had called from the start for less smoke and mirrors more substance and detailed information on just what Abbotsford City Hall proposed to build.
Clearly there is great need for major change at Abbotsford City Hall. It is time for spring cleaning, tossing out our inept senior management, replacing it with Management capable of open, citizens focused, business friendly, fiscally sound, solid planning and good business practices. Abbotsford pays superb management salaries; it is time ratepayers got value for their money.
Councilor Christine Caldwell pulled the pin and tossed a live hand grenade, in the form of a letter, into Abbotsford City Hall on Plan A before jetting off to Europe.I do not want to get bogged down in arguments about political opportunism or of not having the courage to stand up and put it all on the line for what you believe rather than fleeing to the safety of.
Instead I want to focus on what disturbs me and should have all citizens demanding that heads roll. Most disturbing is Caldwell’s stated concern over “many services being cut in many departments throughout the city”. In a city that is so poorly served by its local government the last thing we need is services being cut. Clearly senior staff and council have no sense of priorities on what is important to the Citizens of Abbotsford.
Secondly, Caldwell cities the “Unforeseen Expenses” for Plan A which she believes have not yet come to light. Welcome to the club. Despite the slick sales job by City Hall, focused on selling the $85 million price tag, thoughtful citizens have been demanding to know all the actual costs. To date the total price tag stands at $108.6 and what the final cost will be is anybody’s guess.
Finally she says “I feel I was led down the garden path …Some of the decisions … would appear different as time went along. Over weeks of manipulating, shifting and tweaking the projects seemed to morph into a different story.” Again, welcome to the club. Thoughtful citizens had called from the start for less smoke and mirrors more substance and detailed information on just what Abbotsford City Hall proposed to build.
Clearly there is great need for major change at Abbotsford City Hall. It is time for spring cleaning, tossing out our inept senior management, replacing it with Management capable of open, citizens focused, business friendly, fiscally sound, solid planning and good business practices. Abbotsford pays superb management salaries; it is time ratepayers got value for their money.
Incompetent adj. without adequate ability, knowledge, intelligence etc.; failing to meet minimal requirements; incapable; unskillful;
I was going to ask at what point of making bad decision after bad decision we label Abbotsford City Hall incompetent. After reading the above definition from Webster’s Dictionary, so accurately describing the actions and behaviours of senior city staff and council, I realized the question was moot. Viewing the decisions and the fallout/consequences of decisions made by senior city staff and council in light of the above definition makes crystal clear that the correct word to describe senior city staff and council is incompetent.
The fallout that started this particular thought process was notice that ARC would be closed to the public 3:30 – 9:00pm Monday to Thursday and Fridays 5:00 -9:00pm. This is to permit the Whalers Swim Club to use the pool. Having previously stated that the city was responsible for the situation the Whalers were facing, as a result of senior city staff and council incompetence, and owed it to the Whalers to find an adequate place for them to swim I have to accept some personal inconvenience bringing this about.
This pool closure is a major disruption for parents and children, master swimmers training for various summer competitions, water exercisers and other users. There are very good reasons we all go to ARC and avoid MRC. Dumping all these users into MRC is going to cause discomfort and problems for regular MRC patrons as well.
Ironically it seems the only people not currently facing any discomfort or consequences for the fallout from the decisions of senior city staff and council are - senior city staff and council. And despite their finger-pointing and blaming others this situation was predictable and should have been avoided. Even with the few details grudgingly released by senior city staff and council it did not take a rocket scientist to predict it was going to go badly. Tight deadline, winter site prep and concrete pour – you do not go with a company that has never built a pool, especially when their bid was so out of line with the bids from the experienced pool builders.
Personally I have had more than enough of senior city staff and council excuse making, blaming and refusal to accept any responsibility for their bad decisions. I want to visit major discomfort and consequences on their incompetent heads. Since having their heads served up on silver platters is not an option, I can settle for their resignations.
How do you feel?
I was going to ask at what point of making bad decision after bad decision we label Abbotsford City Hall incompetent. After reading the above definition from Webster’s Dictionary, so accurately describing the actions and behaviours of senior city staff and council, I realized the question was moot. Viewing the decisions and the fallout/consequences of decisions made by senior city staff and council in light of the above definition makes crystal clear that the correct word to describe senior city staff and council is incompetent.
The fallout that started this particular thought process was notice that ARC would be closed to the public 3:30 – 9:00pm Monday to Thursday and Fridays 5:00 -9:00pm. This is to permit the Whalers Swim Club to use the pool. Having previously stated that the city was responsible for the situation the Whalers were facing, as a result of senior city staff and council incompetence, and owed it to the Whalers to find an adequate place for them to swim I have to accept some personal inconvenience bringing this about.
This pool closure is a major disruption for parents and children, master swimmers training for various summer competitions, water exercisers and other users. There are very good reasons we all go to ARC and avoid MRC. Dumping all these users into MRC is going to cause discomfort and problems for regular MRC patrons as well.
Ironically it seems the only people not currently facing any discomfort or consequences for the fallout from the decisions of senior city staff and council are - senior city staff and council. And despite their finger-pointing and blaming others this situation was predictable and should have been avoided. Even with the few details grudgingly released by senior city staff and council it did not take a rocket scientist to predict it was going to go badly. Tight deadline, winter site prep and concrete pour – you do not go with a company that has never built a pool, especially when their bid was so out of line with the bids from the experienced pool builders.
Personally I have had more than enough of senior city staff and council excuse making, blaming and refusal to accept any responsibility for their bad decisions. I want to visit major discomfort and consequences on their incompetent heads. Since having their heads served up on silver platters is not an option, I can settle for their resignations.
How do you feel?
“Report No. COR 6-2007 dated April 18, 2007, from the Director, Corporate Services, regarding Library Governance (1660-20/FVRL).” Sounds harmless enough does it not? But translated from Abbotsford City Hall bureaucratese to English – we want to rush the citizens into another referendum on another item of vital interest, without consulting those citizens and without having to go to the bother of having to think about and present a plan of what will happen to the Abbotsford Library system if the citizens approve withdrawing from the Fraser Valley Regional Library system.
Now, let me be very clear that I am not against the idea of withdrawing from the Regional system. Once I had calmed down from staff and councils attempt to just sneak/rush this through, demonstrating once again that Abbotsford City Hall not only seems to consider citizens a nuisance to be ignored but that they give every indication of inhabiting a completely different reality from those citizens, I could think of good reasons to do follow this course of action.
The major points I found infuriating were the typical arrogant behaviours: City Hall did not feel it necessary to mention to citizens or draw citizen’s attention to the fact that withdrawal from FVRL was under serious consideration; with a solid and active Friends of the Library group they felt no need to consult them on this matter or extend the courtesy of letting them know this was under consideration; they were even less courteous to FVRLibrary as they could not wait for a meeting with senior staff at FVRL, scheduled for later in the week, to bring the matter up and give the FVRL a chance to reply; FVRL senior staff who attended council were aware of this matter through alternate channels, no official communications; Chilliwack is the other major financial supporter of the FVRL and withdrawal has serious implications for them, in fact Abbotsford’s withdrawal has serious implications/repercussions for the small (eg. Yarrow) libraries in the FVRL yet as far as I am aware these other cities or towns have not be notified of this intended withdrawal; the timing of the matter was dictated by the desire to rush it through council and to referendum as fast as possible; that after the disaster that is Plan A, Abbotsford City Hall has learned nothing, has changed none of its behaviours.
As stated there are good arguments for withdrawal. The FVRL administrative offices have become a black hole devouring funds that should be spent to patron’s benefit, not to building a bureaucratic empire. Worse it is a growing black hole consuming more library/patron resources. Arrogant, don’t listen to the needs of those who pay the bills, do as THEY want – sounds kind of familiar. Apparently it is OK for City Hall to treat citizens that way, but not for City Hall to be treated the same way by another bureaucracy.
In the another city’s experience column we have Surrey, which upon leaving the FVRL system about a decade ago went on to build a very good Surrey Library System.
Strongly against withdrawal is that we are speaking of Abbotsford City Hall. Look at what they did to the Whalers Swim Club and the incompetence reflected in their entire handling of the Centennial Pool tank replacement. Their behaviour on Plan A shows an inability to: plan, budget and provide good financial management; to understand the needs of Abbotsford or its citizens; to see the reality of Abbotsford, think or use common sense; to be worthy of citizens trust.
If they can turn something as straightforward as a pool tank replacement and what should be an open and financially sound capital building plan into disasters why would library patrons want to let them anywhere near the Library? In a broader context, given their demonstrated incompetence with simple material objects (facilities) what rational, even semi-intelligent citizen is going to want Abbotsford City Hall anywhere near something as vital to our community as the Library?
To underscore and highlight this point City Hall proposes the withdrawal, not on the basis of improving Library services to the City, but as a way to save $500,000 a year to feed into their wasteful spending behaviours. Just how much money, how many services and books, will they cut from the Library over time? The FVRL is at least a known evil, we may not get the service levels we should but at least we do get a given level of service. Abbotsford City Hall’s past performance, attitude towards service delivery and its apparent lack of understanding or passion for how vital the Library is to the City – all raise serious doubt as to City Hall delivering even the levels the FVRL does.
So, where do I stand on this question? I have no faith in the abilities of current senior staff or council in planning or handling a transition from the FVRL system to an Abbotsford Library system. (They expect to save money, but do not the books belong to FVRL which would require a large expenditure to stock the new AL?) Further, based on their actions, I would place no trust in any statements or claims made by current senior staff or council about the transition and especially the future of an Abbotsford Library under their direction and care.
So where does that leave me/us? On the horns of a dilemma. Either we need to force major reforms on the FVRL or we need to create the Abbotsford Library system. Given the bureaucratic nature of the FVRL I have strong doubts about the ability to achieve the needed reforms, especially in light of the demonstrated incompetence of City Hall. BUT there is NO WAY that I want Abbotsford City Hall in charge of the transition and the direction and governance of an Abbotsford Library system.
Aside: A major concern I have about the entire question is the well demonstrated and documented bigotry and intolerance, inquisitional and prosecutorial behaviours, hate-mongering carried on by a portion of the population of Abbotsford. Despite their claims, the repugnant behaviours of these groups demonstrate a darkness of spirit that is frightening to contemplate. To be clear: any group that takes a portion of a declaration of children’s rights to twist to its own ends and refuses to adopt the entire declaration of children’s rights because in part the declaration protects the rights a children not to be raised in an atmosphere of prejudice, bigotry and hate-mongering is not a group I want anywhere near my rights. Unless we can come to some guarantees about the need for a Library’s independence and openness being sacrosanct – then we must stay in the FVRL. The minute we allow censorship to enter our Library is the moment we sound the death bell for freedom of thought or expression.
My home town had a Library board, an unpaid Library board to provide direction, planning and fiscal oversight. But it had no input or decision making ability as to content or censorship. Patrons were personally responsible for their own reading choices. If you did not like a book – don’t read it. A Library’s independence must be sacrosanct. In fact I would argue that if somebody is not upset about a book or books in a Library, then that Library is failing in its duty.
Back to the question of Library governance: the bottom line is that independence from the City is a must. I also feel that in this instance we are speaking about two separate governance needs. The first need is to address the transition from the FVRL into an Abbotsford Library. The second need concerns the “Hows” of ongoing guidance/governance.
Library patrons and the Friends of the Library group need to come together and be willing to volunteer their time, knowledge, abilities and passion for the library to frame answers to these needs. As I have stated I have no faith or trust in Abbotsford City Hall to handle this matter. I want any Library’s future to be in the hands and under the care of those with a demonstrated commitment to the library (Friends) and those whose interests will be affected by decisions – the patrons/users. We need an open and public process to ensure any Abbotsford Public Library properly gets its doors open – and that it has a bright future.
To avoid turning this into a novella and because public input and ideas are a necessity I will raise a few of the points I think we need to address and think about only as a starting point for discussion. Given my passion for this question I have no doubts that I will be writing more.
Transition: we had better start with the question of books – what if any books will the new system have? The current contents of the library belong to FVRL – remember that the library’s stock is fluid, ever changing with requests in transit to and from? What kind of access will we have to other materials from outside library sources – FVRL may not be to friendly; Vancouver is currently subject to uncertainty vis-à-vis request materials (I have had requests turned down and so have a Vancouver Library card)?There is also the question of internet access and equipment: new server, internet stations, access/connection to the web, turning the library into a working internet hot-spot; the need for a data-base and programming to run a library – not to mention the labour in entering all the start-up data; staffing;
Operation: we need to replace MSA library and plan that replacement; a modern library rums on its computers and provision of internet access for the community – we need to constantly increase/improve this facet of the library; need to set the hours of operation; need to plan book purchases – we will no longer have assess to large catalogue that currently serves so many communities; need to plan and budget for the expansion into the basement; increasing library services are needed as the community grows and changes; there is the MUST for independence for the Library – that is not easy to ensure; at the same time you need to provide for community input; Staffing;
I was told that I could get a copy of the report that recommends withdrawal from FVRL the - all two pages of it. I have barely scratched the surface of points we need to think about and consider in regards to withdrawing from the FVRL and I’m halfway into page four. Senior staff and council apparently thought rushing into this was a good idea, or more probably didn’t think.
I started to write a short letter to the editor about the actions of senior staff and council with respect to this proposed withdrawal, but it grew into this short story because once I started to think about it there were so many things to consider. Even at this length I know there are many points I have missed or not thought of, which is why I feel we need lots of participants and their thoughts/questions/ideas/concerns.
Rather than throw my hands up in disgust with the terrible business and management practices of Abbotsford City Hall I have chosen to stand up and work for positive changes to benefit all the citizens of the City. In a similar way the best action for Abbotsford on the FVRL may be to enact the needed changes, rather than storming off. Keep in mind that our actions will have major effects on our neighbour communities and that we are all part of the larger community that is our region.
We may find that reform is not possible and we need to decide about withdrawing. In any case what is clear is that this is a very complex situation which, regardless of Abbotsford City Hall’s opinion and rush, is a matter that deserves and requires a lot of careful consideration with any timetable for deciding being driven by the information and nature of the situation under deliberation – not City Hall’s arbitrary timetable.
Libraries are vital to their communities. Thus a change of this magnitude will have vital and far-reaching effects on our community. It is imperative that we all take part in the discussion, share ideas and questions, think carefully about what comes out of our public discussions and all participate in making a thoughtful, informed decision.
Now, let me be very clear that I am not against the idea of withdrawing from the Regional system. Once I had calmed down from staff and councils attempt to just sneak/rush this through, demonstrating once again that Abbotsford City Hall not only seems to consider citizens a nuisance to be ignored but that they give every indication of inhabiting a completely different reality from those citizens, I could think of good reasons to do follow this course of action.The major points I found infuriating were the typical arrogant behaviours: City Hall did not feel it necessary to mention to citizens or draw citizen’s attention to the fact that withdrawal from FVRL was under serious consideration; with a solid and active Friends of the Library group they felt no need to consult them on this matter or extend the courtesy of letting them know this was under consideration; they were even less courteous to FVRLibrary as they could not wait for a meeting with senior staff at FVRL, scheduled for later in the week, to bring the matter up and give the FVRL a chance to reply; FVRL senior staff who attended council were aware of this matter through alternate channels, no official communications; Chilliwack is the other major financial supporter of the FVRL and withdrawal has serious implications for them, in fact Abbotsford’s withdrawal has serious implications/repercussions for the small (eg. Yarrow) libraries in the FVRL yet as far as I am aware these other cities or towns have not be notified of this intended withdrawal; the timing of the matter was dictated by the desire to rush it through council and to referendum as fast as possible; that after the disaster that is Plan A, Abbotsford City Hall has learned nothing, has changed none of its behaviours.
As stated there are good arguments for withdrawal. The FVRL administrative offices have become a black hole devouring funds that should be spent to patron’s benefit, not to building a bureaucratic empire. Worse it is a growing black hole consuming more library/patron resources. Arrogant, don’t listen to the needs of those who pay the bills, do as THEY want – sounds kind of familiar. Apparently it is OK for City Hall to treat citizens that way, but not for City Hall to be treated the same way by another bureaucracy.
In the another city’s experience column we have Surrey, which upon leaving the FVRL system about a decade ago went on to build a very good Surrey Library System.
Strongly against withdrawal is that we are speaking of Abbotsford City Hall. Look at what they did to the Whalers Swim Club and the incompetence reflected in their entire handling of the Centennial Pool tank replacement. Their behaviour on Plan A shows an inability to: plan, budget and provide good financial management; to understand the needs of Abbotsford or its citizens; to see the reality of Abbotsford, think or use common sense; to be worthy of citizens trust.
If they can turn something as straightforward as a pool tank replacement and what should be an open and financially sound capital building plan into disasters why would library patrons want to let them anywhere near the Library? In a broader context, given their demonstrated incompetence with simple material objects (facilities) what rational, even semi-intelligent citizen is going to want Abbotsford City Hall anywhere near something as vital to our community as the Library?
To underscore and highlight this point City Hall proposes the withdrawal, not on the basis of improving Library services to the City, but as a way to save $500,000 a year to feed into their wasteful spending behaviours. Just how much money, how many services and books, will they cut from the Library over time? The FVRL is at least a known evil, we may not get the service levels we should but at least we do get a given level of service. Abbotsford City Hall’s past performance, attitude towards service delivery and its apparent lack of understanding or passion for how vital the Library is to the City – all raise serious doubt as to City Hall delivering even the levels the FVRL does.
So, where do I stand on this question? I have no faith in the abilities of current senior staff or council in planning or handling a transition from the FVRL system to an Abbotsford Library system. (They expect to save money, but do not the books belong to FVRL which would require a large expenditure to stock the new AL?) Further, based on their actions, I would place no trust in any statements or claims made by current senior staff or council about the transition and especially the future of an Abbotsford Library under their direction and care.
So where does that leave me/us? On the horns of a dilemma. Either we need to force major reforms on the FVRL or we need to create the Abbotsford Library system. Given the bureaucratic nature of the FVRL I have strong doubts about the ability to achieve the needed reforms, especially in light of the demonstrated incompetence of City Hall. BUT there is NO WAY that I want Abbotsford City Hall in charge of the transition and the direction and governance of an Abbotsford Library system.
Aside: A major concern I have about the entire question is the well demonstrated and documented bigotry and intolerance, inquisitional and prosecutorial behaviours, hate-mongering carried on by a portion of the population of Abbotsford. Despite their claims, the repugnant behaviours of these groups demonstrate a darkness of spirit that is frightening to contemplate. To be clear: any group that takes a portion of a declaration of children’s rights to twist to its own ends and refuses to adopt the entire declaration of children’s rights because in part the declaration protects the rights a children not to be raised in an atmosphere of prejudice, bigotry and hate-mongering is not a group I want anywhere near my rights. Unless we can come to some guarantees about the need for a Library’s independence and openness being sacrosanct – then we must stay in the FVRL. The minute we allow censorship to enter our Library is the moment we sound the death bell for freedom of thought or expression.
My home town had a Library board, an unpaid Library board to provide direction, planning and fiscal oversight. But it had no input or decision making ability as to content or censorship. Patrons were personally responsible for their own reading choices. If you did not like a book – don’t read it. A Library’s independence must be sacrosanct. In fact I would argue that if somebody is not upset about a book or books in a Library, then that Library is failing in its duty.
Back to the question of Library governance: the bottom line is that independence from the City is a must. I also feel that in this instance we are speaking about two separate governance needs. The first need is to address the transition from the FVRL into an Abbotsford Library. The second need concerns the “Hows” of ongoing guidance/governance.
Library patrons and the Friends of the Library group need to come together and be willing to volunteer their time, knowledge, abilities and passion for the library to frame answers to these needs. As I have stated I have no faith or trust in Abbotsford City Hall to handle this matter. I want any Library’s future to be in the hands and under the care of those with a demonstrated commitment to the library (Friends) and those whose interests will be affected by decisions – the patrons/users. We need an open and public process to ensure any Abbotsford Public Library properly gets its doors open – and that it has a bright future.
To avoid turning this into a novella and because public input and ideas are a necessity I will raise a few of the points I think we need to address and think about only as a starting point for discussion. Given my passion for this question I have no doubts that I will be writing more.
Transition: we had better start with the question of books – what if any books will the new system have? The current contents of the library belong to FVRL – remember that the library’s stock is fluid, ever changing with requests in transit to and from? What kind of access will we have to other materials from outside library sources – FVRL may not be to friendly; Vancouver is currently subject to uncertainty vis-à-vis request materials (I have had requests turned down and so have a Vancouver Library card)?There is also the question of internet access and equipment: new server, internet stations, access/connection to the web, turning the library into a working internet hot-spot; the need for a data-base and programming to run a library – not to mention the labour in entering all the start-up data; staffing;
Operation: we need to replace MSA library and plan that replacement; a modern library rums on its computers and provision of internet access for the community – we need to constantly increase/improve this facet of the library; need to set the hours of operation; need to plan book purchases – we will no longer have assess to large catalogue that currently serves so many communities; need to plan and budget for the expansion into the basement; increasing library services are needed as the community grows and changes; there is the MUST for independence for the Library – that is not easy to ensure; at the same time you need to provide for community input; Staffing;
I was told that I could get a copy of the report that recommends withdrawal from FVRL the - all two pages of it. I have barely scratched the surface of points we need to think about and consider in regards to withdrawing from the FVRL and I’m halfway into page four. Senior staff and council apparently thought rushing into this was a good idea, or more probably didn’t think.
I started to write a short letter to the editor about the actions of senior staff and council with respect to this proposed withdrawal, but it grew into this short story because once I started to think about it there were so many things to consider. Even at this length I know there are many points I have missed or not thought of, which is why I feel we need lots of participants and their thoughts/questions/ideas/concerns.
Rather than throw my hands up in disgust with the terrible business and management practices of Abbotsford City Hall I have chosen to stand up and work for positive changes to benefit all the citizens of the City. In a similar way the best action for Abbotsford on the FVRL may be to enact the needed changes, rather than storming off. Keep in mind that our actions will have major effects on our neighbour communities and that we are all part of the larger community that is our region.
We may find that reform is not possible and we need to decide about withdrawing. In any case what is clear is that this is a very complex situation which, regardless of Abbotsford City Hall’s opinion and rush, is a matter that deserves and requires a lot of careful consideration with any timetable for deciding being driven by the information and nature of the situation under deliberation – not City Hall’s arbitrary timetable.
Libraries are vital to their communities. Thus a change of this magnitude will have vital and far-reaching effects on our community. It is imperative that we all take part in the discussion, share ideas and questions, think carefully about what comes out of our public discussions and all participate in making a thoughtful, informed decision.
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