When Suzan Krecsy opened her copy of the newspaper on Saturday morning, she couldn't believe what she read in “Your Views.”
“It certainly wasn't representative of the people I've met in St. Albert,” said Krecsy, executive director of the St. Albert Food Bank. “I think maybe he's trying to paint everyone with the same brush.”
The letter Krecsy and many other people read in Saturday's St. Albert Gazette was from Kingswood residents Chris and Karleena Perry about a proposed affordable housing development at 70 Arlington Dr. In the letter, the Perrys said, among several comments, the families that would potentially occupy the area would be lower-income and could bring drugs and crime to the area. They also said that low-income children would have trouble being accepted by their peers who are from wealthier families.
Krecsy said the food bank, which is also the lead organization with the Community Village and works to help people connect with resources they need, said with the recent economic downturn many families sought their help to make ends meet. In March, the food bank saw 163 families use the service.
“It's the most we've ever had walk through the door.”
For Stanley Haroun, chair of the board for the St. Albert Housing Society, the idea that lower-income residents cause crime and social problems is not only incorrect, but a sign of a lack of knowledge.
“Low-income people could be people struggling in life after university, or struggling to leave a bad situation or the people who work in the store or restaurant,” he said. “It's a very distorted view of reality.”
Haroun said he has met others with similar opinions over the years, but said the housing society has taken great pains to educate them in private, often discussing not only what low-income could mean, but also what kind of people they are.
“These are hard working people who are trying to raise their families,” he said. “I'm not sure you should ever measure people by their money or the size of their house.”
St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre director Pat Phelan said that children living in the city should have more exposure to different cultures, lives and ways of living.
Although Chris Perry apologized for the letter he wrote, Phelan said she had a sense after reading his letter that his version of St. Albert isn't a realistic view of the St. Albert she knows exists.
“Whether he wrote the letter or not, whether he apologized or not, I think this man doesn't get the reality of St. Albert,” said Phelan. “My St. Albert, and I think everyone's St. Albert, is that there are people who do need help.”
Haroun hopes the discussion that has surrounded the letter would bring something better to the city and raise awareness of the issues surrounding those with financial difficulties.
“I'm praying something good will come out of this,” said Haroun. “We'll see what happens.”
Councillor 'sick' over letter
Coun. Roger Lemieux, who sits on the board of directors for the St. Albert Housing Society, said he was upset to read the Perrys' letter in Saturday's St. Albert Gazette."I was sick," he said. "It really took a shot at people who are in hard times." Although he was shocked by the letter, Lemieux said he couldn't comment against the family. "I'm no saint either," he said. "I commend them for their apology."
