I would like to say with all that has been said regarding the homeless in Vernon, that yes they might be an eyesore but there was a lot of pressure on council to move the people from Polson Park.
By making Polson Park off limits to continuous camping, the problem moved to Linear Park, where everyone now sees the issues.
Other than Councillor Cunningham, Mayor Mund and a few others from council, no one seems to realize that the problem was not just going to disappear.
Most of these people would love to work but because they have no permanent address employers will not hire them and they cannot get a place to live (catch 22).
Lets find a way to give them this address, even if it so they can pick up mail here.
It would be great if we as a community could arrange for a place that homeless people who would like to work could clean up and change clothes to get to work, it would have to be supervised (even if by volunteers, I would help out) and only at predetermined times.
Employers would have to change their attitudes, as they all complain now that they cannot find help.
What is needed is that the provincial government must take the lead in this and allow these people to make a little extra money other than welfare, for a month or two.
This will allow them to get money together for a place to live.
All levels of government must be involved in this as it will have to be some type of social housing, even small studio suites would work. What we need here is someone to step up and say I have a building and if you can convert it then lets try even if we have to give them a tax break on the building. We have tried to do something other than complain.
I would like to thank the mayor and council, especially Coun. Cunningham for tackling this problem and always being open to new ideas.
Garry Haas