How is that No Compassion thing working out for you?

I remember when I first heard about the proposed Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  It was when the abandoned Vimy Arena site was sold to the Province for $1. with the intention that the land be used to develop the Recovery Centre.

I was quite disappointed in myself.  I used to work in Addictions Treatment but hadn't kept myself current with addiction issues for a couple of decades.  Over the next few months, I learned a lot.  I always knew the power of addiction and the hidden and overt costs to society.  What had changed was the very cheap and accessible methamphetamines available.  You can buy this for about $5.00 literally on any street corner and it will give you a buzz that can last up to 72 hours.  Buzz is not the right word.  We used to say there were three types of drugs; uppers, downers, and all arounders.  With uppers and downers, you can predict behavior and design treatment.  The psychedelics, or the all arounders, were challenging as you can't predict what is going to happen and individuals have their own responses.  Simply, it is psychosis.  Cheap.  Available.  Highly addictive to those who are vulnerable.  And, if you know anything about addiction, I can assure you, we are all vulnerable.

I was also disappointed in the NIMBY mentality that was displayed by comments in the newspaper.  So, circa 1983.  I was disappointed that we haven't evolved and people were willing to go on record spouting such misguided notions.

I was so impressed with the Oake Family.  The grace and the authenticity that they have shown since the lose of their son and brother has been something that should inspire us all.  I hope Darcy, Scott, and Anne are all awarded the Order of Canada when the Centre finally opens.

By taking an interest in the Centre, I have met some amazing people and have strengthened relationships with others.   It turns out I have some pretty amazing friends who ooze compassion and progressiveness.  They have been the vast majority.

But, unfortunately, I got to meet the people in opposition.  I attended a public information meeting to learn more.  The people in opposition were wearing white so I referred to them as the "white people".  It had nothing to do with their race, it had to do with their choice of colour to wear.  I was shccked with their behavior at the meeting.  I don't want to speak in absolutes, but the majority refused to engage in conversation or listen to a different viewpoint other than their own.  I wrote a blog entry called "Saddest Day in Winnipeg".  I was overwhelmed by the amount of support there was for the centre.

However, I was taken aback by some of the responses  by some people who were members of "Friends of Sturgeon Creek" group.  Well, I live on the banks of Sturgeon Creek, I am certainly a friend of it, but it turns out that group was not about being a "friend" of Sturgeon Creek.  It was about opposition to the Centre.  I didn't get a lot, but more than a few, angry personal messages on facebook messenger.  I was called some awful names.  I was accused of being racist.  Some of the comments were over the top and I think were taken directly from "Mississippi Burning".  I had to change my privacy settings many times.  I am sure this was a small percentage of the people opposing the Centre, but, it was obvious these people had their minds made up and wouldn't be swayed.

I realized I actually didn't know where the Vimy Arena was so I decided to take a walk.  I was shocked how close it is to me.  When I got there on a sunny day in August, I had to laugh out loud.  It really isn't close to any residential properties.  Green space galore.  Plus, it is an abandoned shack that has been closed for 5 years.  If it was going to be repurposed for recreation, it would have.  Talk about a white elephant.  The residents should be excited to have a new building in the area.  That will drive their property values up rather than down.  None of their arguements made sense.

The opposition got Stephen Fletcher to be their spokesperson.  Again, because he is known for compassion, consensus building, and compromise.

And, they hired a lawyer.   Last night, after a marathon 6 hour hearing, Council approved the rezoning.  I hope their lawyer charged them for every minute she was there, and double time after 9 pm.  I hope she meant with them for hours and hours preparing them for the Hearing. 

There is really one more thing to say to them and that is to paraphrase Dr. Phil, "How is that No-Compassion thing working out for you?" 

Choose tolerance.  Choose respect.  Choose hope.  Choose compassion.  Choose to be the kind of person that posts positive messages publicly on soneone's wall and not send a mean private message to someone who don't even know.