Gordon Fuller

Further to my post about South End Representation and Gordon Fuller's running for city council I was in touch with Gord today. He was kind enough to email me some information about himself to facilitate anyone looking online in getting to know who he is and what he can offer the City of Nanaimo. I replied to him with the sentiment I share now: I think he would be an asset to the City of Nanaimo and I would be proud to live here if the changes he suggests are made. 

November 15th
Elect to Council

Gordon Fuller

Building Community

An Alternative to Vested Interests

In running for Council for the third time Gord believes he would bring a balanced perspective with both personal and professional experience around social issues as well as his involvement over the years with various community groups. A long time Social and Community activist Gord knows it is critical to recognise the importance of a healthy diverse economy in providing meaningful employment and the necessary tax base from which to run our fair city. “We need a strong advocate on council representing the interests of the South End, an advocate who also understands the issues in other areas of the city as well. There is much to be said for the Ward system as opposed to the at large. This becomes even more apparent when we consider South of the Hospital area has seen no elected representation for years.”

Gord is a third generation Nanaimoite, himself having lived in Nanaimo for the past 27 years most spent in the South End and Downtown areas. In 2002 he completed a degree in Child & Youth Care at Malaspina University/College while working full time as manager of Samaritan House Emergency Shelter. Gord is currently employed with Nanaimo Youth Services Association as coordinator of their 20 unit Youth Housing Complex.

Active in the community Gord Fuller is currently Co-Chair of the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society, President of Friends of Plan Nanaimo, Vice President of the South End Community Association and Vice Chair of the Nanaimo Neighbourhood Netwerk. He is also an active participant on the Board of Citizens Advocacy as well as with the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership – Housing Design Development subcommittee, Working Group on Homeless Issues, Neighbours of Nob Hill, Nanaimo Old City Association and Mid Island Coalition for Strong Communities. Gord’s past community involvement has also been extensive including participation with the Nanaimo Crystal Meth Task Force, Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action Coalition, Working Group on Downtown Social Issues, Mental Health Advisory Council, City of Nanaimo Nuisance Property Committee, Nanaimo Social Development Strategy, S.A.F.E.R Downtown Nanaimo Project, Community Food Connection, Food Link Nanaimo, Action for Diversity Team and Nanaimo Food Share Society.

“I believe Nanaimo is a unique city that still has an opportunity to work collectively towards not repeating the mistakes other cities have made in the past. We need to focus on the preservation of Nanaimo’s heritage with development that works in harmony with the waterfront and mountain vistas, maintaining the unique character of neighbourhoods and the community, Citizen Driven and Not Developer Driven. Smart Growth not rapid growth should determine Nanaimo’s future.”

“We need to implement sustainable small-scale social programs that move away from the institutional and towards community integration. We must work towards Social Equality and the elimination of the endemic poverty that exists in Nanaimo. This process can be accomplished in part through innovative sustainable affordable housing options that do not place a greater burden on the already high taxes that exist in Nanaimo. It is imperative that we, as a community, recognize and value diversity and the potential of all citizens in contributing to make Nanaimo a vibrant and inclusive community.”

In keeping with a vision of a healthy community Gord believes, “we must look towards the environment both urban and rural. Initiatives towards green energy, environmental protection and public ownership of our drinking water must be given priority.”

Other Comments:

Parks: “ From recreational to Tot Lots we need to ensure all of Nanaimo’s Parks are safe from rezoning in the future.”

Water: “We need to ensure that privatization of water never comes up on the agenda of the municipality and Regional District. Nanaimo needs to look to the purchase of the watersheds surrounding our drinking water.”

Planning: “Nanaimo is fast becoming a laughing stock, among communities across Canada, when it comes to urban planning. We need to implement smart growth principals creating density within, rather than by expanding, the urban containment boundary.”

Development: “Neighbourhood involvement needs to be the first step for developers before taking their projects to the city for approval. “

Housing & Homelessness: “The City of Nanaimo must lobby provincial and federal levels of government to work with the municipality in the provision of affordable/social housing and other means to end homelessness and poverty in Nanaimo.”

Concentration of Social Services: “Most communities work from the adage that you put the services where the people are. This has tended to concentrate services in the downtown or bordering neighbourhoods and results in urban decay and the ghettoization of the community. Poverty is not located in any one area and as such we need to look at creating smaller scale services outside of the downtown areas. We need to move away from large scale all-in-one institutional settings.”  

Food Security/Policy: “The City of Nanaimo must adopt a food charter coordinating municipal strategy that will encourage greater support for local food producers as well as allowing for the development of community gardens that would help provide food security to those in need in Nanaimo.”

Conflict of Interest: “If there is even a remote chance of conflict or perceived conflict of interest councilors must make it known.”

Councilor behaviour at council meetings/public hearings: “The denigrating of people speaking to council must stop. All citizens coming before council must be treated with respect.”

City Council Terms of Office: “Too often this has become a career, many having sat on council for 25 years or more. I believe we need to limit the number of terms a person sits on council to 2 or 3 at the most. This would allow for a quicker turnover to fresh ideas and enthusiasm on the part of newly elected municipal officials.”

A strong believer in an open communication process you can feel free to contact Gord at:
Ph: 250 754 6389
e-mail: gorfathome@yahoo.ca

South End Representation

I saw in the paper today that Gordon Fuller is going to run for Nanaimo city council. While I'm glad to see an article about him, for gawd sakes could then not use a better picture? I'll save the rant on the dodgy editorialising by the local newspaper for another day. Go Nanaimo Blog also makes mention of Gordon here (with a normal photograph of him even). I wish there was more about Gordon online to get to know him better and follow his campaign to become a city council member. Maybe Gord needs to enter the world of Facebook!

I don't know Gordon apart from what I'm reading recently and occasionally seeing him around town but I'm excited about the possible south end representation. Too many decisions made for (south) Nanaimo are made by people who don't live here and their decisions seem to be exclusively interested in making money instead of putting what's good for the local community first. These people can't and/or don't truly care what goes on here because it isn't in their backyard. 

From what I've read about Gordon so far, I like that he's involved in a number of different programs in the community. Oh heck, if that's not the understatement of the century. This guy is a part of almost every social advocacy group in the city! He obviously has an interest in making things better and is aware of the many real problems our community faces. 

I'm looking forward to hearing more about Gord's vision for the city. 

South End Community Association

I noticed the South End Community Association now has a blog of their own. 

http://seca1.wordpress.com/ 

This will be a good opportunity to stay up on what's going on in the South End. I see that they already have a number of good articles about the South End being split into different ridings for Provincial elections and updates on Deverille Park. It's worth a look.

Party in the Park Monday Night!

I meant to post this the other day but alas, I must have hit "save" instead of "publish".

The Living Room with not be hosted in the Balmoral Hotel like the VIHA originally wanted. It's bittersweet news since this low barrier program will no doubt be pushed on some other building in the south end of Nanaimo. We'll just have to keep our ears to the ground for last minute notice of where they intend to put it next. I have little faith these days that the VIHA have the people they are attempting to serve or south end community's best interests at heart.

All unpleasantness aside, there is going to be a community potluck party in the park on Monday night instead of the organised march to the city counsel meeting to show community strength over this recent issue. The potluck will be at Deverill Park at 5 pm. Bring a dish to share, something to sit on and any else that might (legally) enhance the evening.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

VIHA and CMHA and Balmoral Hotel, Oh My

Thanks to Dilling for the heads up with this post. 

Despite the lack of adequate notification to people who live in the south end of Nanaimo that this meeting was taking place it was reported that about 120 concerned neighbours attended. It was so crowded that the hosting South End Community Association put a speaker in the hallway so attendees could hear those speaking into the microphone inside. Those who attended cared enough that they withstood the stifling heat in the building.

I was left feeling conflicted at this meeting. On one hand, I was pleased that I wasn't the only one with the concerns over what the Vancouver Island Health Authority and the Canadian Mental Health Association is proposing. On the other hand, I was really let down that it appeared that VIHA and CMHA representatives were acting on the obligation to be there. They seemed to be going through the motions instead of listening to the opinions and concerns shared. If I could have asked one question it would have been to ask where these representatives lived. I highly doubt any of them live in the south end.

The biggest disappointment for me wasn't even a main topic for the night. It was realising that when we're told that created housing is going to be spread out over the Nanaimo area they really mean it will be spread out over the South Nanaimo area. There seems to be no intention of opening up housing outside of this already burdened neighbourhood. To hell with the people that live here who have been working hard to turn the neighbourhood around and create a worthwhile community.

As many many people have already attested, having a low barrier style resource center in a neighbourhood that is actively trying to make drug sellers and users unwelcome is a serious step backwards. To impose this on the community is unfair and unkind. I can see the benefit to having a low barrier style living room space for the purpose of getting these people off the street as well as getting them in touch with crisis response in the interest in harm reduction. The location however, is vitally important to get right. It needs to be central but also enclosed enough that it discourages people from loitering and hanging out in large groups in front or near by. It's a difficult balance of offering addicts access to much needed services and making it uncomfortable enough that they won't linger after their treatment. 

VIHA and CMHA seem to be giving the whole harm reduction strategy lip service rather than wholly buying in to the concept. They consistently don't employee enough people and jeopardise the whole process by underfunding and understaffing the front line service. There's a serious lack of planing. They don't consult with the city, neighbourhoods or police. They simply look for the cheapest building immediate to the problem area and slam as many services as possible in it. Many of these people need hospital services every day or week. Why aren't they creating housing and service options near the hospital? 

The most significant pillar of the harm reduction strategy is getting the people at risk removed from their stressers. That means off the streets, away from direct access to drugs and the drug culture. This is why VIHA should be looking outside of South Nanaimo and around the municipality and throughout the central island. We only need to look at the problems facing the city of Victoria right now to understand how horribly wrong things can go if this stress is concentrated in one area. 

Organisations like VIHA and CMHA must work with the community. If there isn't significant buy in and commitment at all levels then the whole thing is for naught. It's important to remember that the homeless and those at risk are still members of our society and we have an obligation to help them move towards a healthy lifestyle. Throwing pennies in the wishing well hoping this will go away is more expensive in the long run and ultimately helps no one.

From the South End Community Association:

HI everyone: well, the media has picked up on our issue and we need to ensure that our message is heard. 

The first article in Thursday's Nanaimo Daily News, focuses on much of what happened at the meeting on Wed nite. Here's the link.

Today's articles reflect the city's growing rebuttal to our efforts. Here's the link. 

It appears that their major argument is going to be that we've got all the druggies and homeless here anyway, that we are a neighbourhood under great stress and they are the great white knight riding in to help us. 

Yes, we have had some problems in the past few weeks, but those have been due to at least 2 drug busts that have sent people out onto the street. The last 18 months has been relatively free of the type of hassles we used to suffer years ago. And we are doing most of it ourselves, with the help of the RCMP and bylaws. We have taken charge of our neighbourhood. We need to bring THIS message across.

Please, please take the time to reply to one of these articles....NOW...there's a section at the end where you can post. The media will help us, but ONLY if we feed it...and we know that the PR folks on the other side will be doing exactly that.

Or send an e-mail directly to the editor: editor@nanaimodailynews.com

The Nanaimo Bulletin also published an article on the front page of Thursday's paper (no link avail) and there will be an article on Saturday. They are happy to post as many letters to the editor as they can fit in, so don't forget them, because this is the paper that many of your neighbours read.

Here is their e-mail address: editor@nanaimobulletin.com

What you write doesn't need to be perfect...and if you are stuck, just call me at 740.0123 and I'll help.

And please, send a copy of your letter to us so we can bundle them together for city council.

Thanks

Barbara Densmore

Also, city council meeting Monday night July 14, please mark on your calendars. We are on the agenda.

Sore Sight

I don't like to drive often but needed to do a big grocery shop this morning at the Thrifty's downtown. Sitting at the intersection of Victoria Crescent and Nicol Street waiting for the light to change offers a sad sight. So many "shady" characters hanging out next to the highway on the same strip of grass that announces "Welcome to Nanaimo" or some such sign. It was hard to see the sign past the shopping carts. Skinny young gangster types obviously hooked on crystal and who's bodies are so ruined by drugs and street life that they can barely walk like they are younger than ninety years old. Unshaven men who look older than they probably are seem as if their only drive to go elsewhere is if they're told to move on and women who may have been beautiful long ago, covered with scabs and barely clothed giving every man they walk by a come hither smile. The New Hope Centre is supposed to discourage the lounging around on that strip of grass but it seems every time I walk by it's littered with people and the garbage they leave behind. 

The homelessness issue is one I feel so conflicted by. There are many people out on the street with mental illness who have little other option since taking care of themselves is obviously not feasible. There are many others out there who are there thanks to drug addictions. I'm sure there are even a few who are out there because they have no where else to go. Difficult home lives and the like. What can be done? What is being done already to help with this problem? I have to scratch my head when some suggest the police "do something" about it. Being homeless isn't against the law. 

The housing initiatives I've read about happening in Nanaimo over the next few years have me asking more questions. For one are they going to be placed all over Nanaimo? Many of the people that need housing need to get away from the downtown area and the life they've know for so long. They need a new perspective. Many people on the street need mental health assistance. These people aren't able to be independent. Is there going to be appropriate housing for these people?

I'm not sure how I feel about too many "low barrier" style housing options. I'd like to think that the bulk of the new housing goal is to help people get a step closer to breaking free from homelessness, drugs, crime or whatever their personal problems associated with being homeless are and getting people independent and contributing to the quality of their own lives. I guess I hope that it goes beyond putting a simple roof over their heads.

I would feel so much less contempt for some of these people if they weren't littering (garbage, needles...) or generally showing minimal concern for the community that cares about enjoying where we live. I suppose many of them would show more care and concern if they were less looked down upon and ignored. Quite the conundrum. 

A big part of me wonders why no one cares to think more about why people are becoming homeless in the first place? Why the appropriate mental health professionals are coming up with evaluations for individuals just barely above what's deemed needing full time care? I mostly wonder though why we put so little thought as a society into supporting families in raising children into becoming mentally healthy, stable individuals who care about their community and other people. 

Mainstream parenting these days seems to push children away to make them "independent" despite the fact that they are children and in every way need to feel dependant on their parents or guardians. A baby who came from the most intimate of places- inside our womb is born and placed in a barred box in a room down the hall, away from the comfort of our arms. We have devises like bucket car seats and swings to put our children in so we don't even have to hold them. There are self feeding bottles so you needn't be troubled with being near when they are hungry. Schedules and control are central to many parenting practices. This teaches our children not to trust themselves or their parents. Many parents aren't even raising their own children because of the "need" for a second income. Older children and teens quickly decide that their peers are their real family. How frightening is this? That they rely on one another for emotional support and growth. How can you mature if what you strive to be like is the same age and maturity level as yourself?

I propose a great deal of societies problems could be solved by trying to focus on families now. Endorse back to the basics, sensible and natural parenting practises and perhaps teaching families skills like how to cook basic, nutritious yet appetising whole foods meals and other ways to make staying home with your children affordable and generally helping families to thrive.

There are studies done that say the most important years in a person's life are the first three. That how the child is raised and treated during this time can determine what kind of person they could become. Having their needs met in these early years can make it easier for these children to one day meet their own needs and other's later in life. I read one study (and damn it if I could find it now!) in which convicts were questioned about their upbringing and virtually all had difficult and dysfunctional family situations often including abuse. 

It's easier for me to feel compassionate for these people when I recognise the many reasons that they are out there.