Council debates Mustard Seed shelter proposal

Tim Kalinowski

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge city council defeated the rezoning motion by a vote of 7-2 late Tuesday night at a public hearing on the proposed Mustard Seed Sober Shelter site at 110 13th Street South, as proceedings stretched far into the evening with 30 presenters speaking for and against the proposed rezoning which would allow the site to be established in the community.

Coun. Belinda Crowson asked the question which was on many of the presenters’ minds: Was this the right place for it?

According to Byron Bradley, spokesperson for the charitable organization which has been serving the poor in various communities for 35 years, the answer was “yes,” even with several business owners in the Upper Eastside opposed to its establishment.

Bradley said his organization had met with over 100 of them leading up to the public hearing, and had gotten good feedback.

“We have taken those conversations to heart, and that feedback to heart,” he stated. “One of the main things is this shelter would be in a central location that would be accessible to our most vulnerable citizens in the city of Lethbridge.

“It is not going to be easy and perfect, but we are committed,” he later added. “We just want permission to come help people. Your people. The people of your community. It’s tough work and it is often not popular work to care for people. But these are citizens of this community who need a place of refuge.”

While applauding the organization’s ideals, not all in the gallery, or watching from home on YouTube, were convinced.

“I think Mr. Bradley has given a fantastic speech,” said one local commercial property owner Ed Nestrovich who presented in person to council on the problems he already has with vagrancy near his building. “If everything works the way he is saying, I’m thumbs up. But we all know it doesn’t happen that way.”

Another local business owner, Diane Horvath, challenged city council’s entire process leading into the public hearing, and accused city staff of sidestepping this by seeking Direct Control over the site so the public will have no chance of appeal.

“At the end of the day once everyone has spoken,” she said, “you will have to ask yourself two simple questions: Is this property unquestionably appropriate for what is being proposed? Do you have enough information to answer that question? If you cannot answer it, ‘Yes,” emphatically without a single lingering doubt, or a maybe– you should vote ‘No.'”

Earl’s owner Richard Daley, whose business is adjacent across the street from the proposed site, said he had no doubt should council approve this rezoning it would likely end his business. But he saved his greatest criticism for the Mustard Seed itself.

“I have zero problem with the Mustard Seed,” he stated. “I have zero problems with the work you wish to do,” turning and looking directly at Bradley. “That you may be able to do. I have every problem with the fact your strategic plan is: ‘the site is available.'”

Among the group of presenters on Tuesday the Mustard Seed also had its supporters, particularly from local evangelical and faith communities who work regularly with the city’s homeless.

Geoff Heth, lead pastor of the Evangelical Free Church of Lethbridge, said it was obvious the city needed a new sober shelter with the current non-sober shelter run by Alpha House 117 per cent over capacity. He also praised the Mustard Seed, and its proven work with the poor over the past 35 years.

Using the metaphor of a forest where all the tree roots, healthy and unhealthy alike, are interconnected, and where nutrients are shared, he said the proposed Mustard Seed sober shelter was a way for those who are healthy in our city to send “nutrients to those in need” to “hope on behalf of others.”

“As a society we have a responsibility to the vulnerable and marginalized among us,” Heth stated. “Those who need a hand up in their journey of life.

“We are thrilled they are seeking to be part of a solution in our city,” he added. “They bring experience and a proven track record in being a safe haven for those who need that so badly.”

Follow @TimKalHerald on Twitter