City council handled issue of shelter well

For: www.theobserver.ca

 Wednesday, April 04, 2007 @ 09:00

Sir: Re: City council's decision on March 19 to allow a homeless shelter at 260 N. Mitton St. I don't understand the person who wrote a letter saying that the mayor and councilors already had their minds made up. After not having a homeless shelter for so long, we finally have a chance to have one, but some out there are trying to destroy people who have nowhere to live. I think the mayor and councilors acted in good faith and I applaud them. I was at the meeting on March 19 and, in my view, the people at city hall carried out their job by showing a lot of love and caring. I applaud them. You know the old saying, "Darn if you do and darn if you don't." I think by the end of the evening, it was a win-win situation.
The mayor handled the evening with finesse and understanding for all the speakers. There was no yelling or shouting and he kept everyone quiet. Nobody knew how the vote would be until the very end of the last speaker. I tip my hat to all the speakers who spoke well and kept it all together. Remember, no matter what happens, good or bad, I feel we are not here for us but for the people who need it most in these shelters. They are all over Canada, not just in Sarnia. The mayor and councilors sent out a good message for all that they do care. I would never want their job. 
The question I would like to throw out to the people of Sarnia is this: What can you do to help out these homeless ones who have nothing at all but the clothes on their back? Let them again be part OF society instead of being apart FROM society. No matter what happens to each one of us, we have to make our final judgment before God and, trust me, He will judge us to the fullest. I try to see good in everything. We eat good things in life; things become good in our own life. I think the people of Sarnia are very good at helping by sharing and caring with donations. I applaud them all. They are giving, no matter what they give. 
We should try and help out the shelter through love, understanding and, most of all, give to those in need because I understand that River City is self-supporting through donations, with no funding from city hall or the provincial or federal governments. Instead of being negative towards everything that goes wrong, turn it to a positive note by helping out the needy. You never know, it could happen to you. Remember, expect the unexpected. God sees all and hears all. I will leave people with one question: If tomorrow you found out you had six months to live, how could you help out others who need it the most? 
I know what I would do. 

David Ogden