Hoping the passage of time would calm the angry fires stoked when council voted in favour of Habitat for Humanity’s development at 70 Arlington Dr. appears to have been too much to ask for. Now, courtesy a bad apple or two, St. Albert has another black eye when it comes to affordable housing and, even though it is not warranted, the entire community will be judged as a result.
First we had the Chris and Karleena Perry letter of last spring, letting it be known that people in search of affordable housing weren’t wanted here in St. Albert. Then came the vitriolic public hearings that saw the development changed repeatedly according to the wishes of its critics, even though the final outcome still upset some of its detractors. Now, no sooner had the site been named Aurora Place then some individual or individuals decided to resurrect the battle in the most tasteless way possible, by painting the words “Not welcome” and “Liars” on the site’s sign.
It’s sad and pathetic that the irony —someone committing vandalism, one of the multitude of illegal acts some opponents thought would become commonplace if the development went through — serves as the act’s own criticism. But in reality, the attention of the Capital region is once again focused on St. Albert’s attitude towards those in need of affordable housing. Not lost in any of this is the fact this is the first time anyone has ever vandalized a Habitat site under construction in the region, according to Habitat president and CEO Alfred Nikolai.
Now the public and media eye is once again focused squarely on us, courtesy a few discourteous individuals, resorting to attacking a charity in a very public way. The act only reinforces the attitudes many have of our city — that we’re an elitist, rich community with little tolerance for anyone who doesn’t fit in. This act will paint the rest of us with the same brush. And the rest of us will have to apologize for it, no matter how localized it might seem.
The reality is the bulk of the community is behind this project, will help build it and will welcome its residents with open arms. While the development’s critics might still oppose the idea, especially with a lawsuit still before the courts, we would hope they have been able to accept it, even if that acceptance is grudging. The process played out, the decision was made and there is very little that can be done about it now.
So what do we have? Someone or some people have thrown insults at a charity and declared Habitat for Humanity and the people who might live in the new development are not welcome. We have a petty, singular act that will further tarnish the reputation of a community that volunteers, fundraises and helps charities more than most others. So let’s use that compassion and willingness to our advantage and demonstrate through our actions that this one person does not speak for the community as a whole. Let’s support Aurora Place with our donations of money, time and labour. Let’s make this Habitat build the best in the entire continent.
Let us be judged instead on the merits of our actions, and not the actions of someone whose behaviour is without merit.
