Premier Eby, I am writing to you through my local wonderful newspaper called the Prince George Citizen so that I might get through to you before they finish renovating the North Star motel, that the government has purchased.
The plan is to try to house street people and the campers from the unwanted dirty city owned campsite called Moccasin Flats.
I live in the residential area above the motel and we are seniors and have lived in our home for 50 years.
We are scared to death as to who the government wants to put in this motel. The people in charge better think carefully as who they put in the motel. You don’t want to jeopardize lives of women, children and seniors. There is a school two blocks away.
So that means no drug addicts no drugs in the units and no sex offenders. Lots of questions need answered, one being is there going to be 24/7 security? There better be some rules and not a big free for all that is going on in the campsite.
I have a better Idea for the motel. This motel is perfect for senior housing, as it’s close to the hospital, a drug store and a mall and we hope Jim Pattison will put the grocery store back.
The bottom floor has wheelchair access, there is a restaurant on site that could be used for a coffee shop and for Meals on Wheels to operate out of. Some of the units in the other half could be used for the working poor, who are having a very hard time.
It’s not just about the drug addicts. Lots of people need a warm bed. Most seniors have worked hard all their lives and some still are and there is a shortage of affordable seniors housing.
Please consider my suggestion. I think it’s brilliant.
I also have a plan for the homeless that want to have a better life and want to get off the streets of Prince George.
I know Jim Pattison is giving back and I know he is a good, kind person. With that said, I think he owns property on Boundary Road. Could there not be some decent tiny houses built? Maybe the numbered company that made a lot of money from the sale of the motels could chip in? If that won’t work, what about the experimental farm property that is sitting empty?
To the Citizen, can you pass my letter on to Mr. Pattison and David Eby? I am sure I would not be able to get through.
Helen Robertson
Prince George
